Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1855-06-28
P. A. 0. HANKINs, Sec'y.
TYREE SPRINGS. June I6

TYREE SPRINGS June 10th, '55.
We whose names are hereunto subscribed, hav-
ing discovered in our midst secret clan of polt-
clans whose object appears to be to monopolize all
the offices of the country, from the President Of
the United States down to the lowest Office within
our gift and to dsqualify for Office all who are
not of the order, and especially foreign citizens
and Catholics esU-- "a
Therefore enter this our solemn protest, not on
ly against their measures proposed, but partcu-
larly against their secret mode of attaining their
ends. ~
In the first place. we protest against being sworn
without legal process, to perform that which we
can as well perform without an oath. We take
this position from the fact that oaths were instu-
ted only for the purpose of controlling bad men,
and that we, as lovers Of our country and friends
to truth, feel bound by our honor to protect and
forever defend the free institutions of our country,
and the Union of these United States in particu-
lar-not by hiding ourselves in the night--not by
a soft stealthy step-not by subdued tone of
voice sottening down 10 a whisper, lest some one
should hear-not by sliding around corners, creep.
ing through cracks, or, like wild beasts of prey,
=
concealing ourselves in caves to plot in secret the
mode of accomplishing our ends; and then when
catechized with regard to these things, saying we
know nothing about it. No, this has the appear
ance of evil-it is eva itself
But we will defend the union of these United
States, and the liberties We enjoy, by freedom of
thought and the free expression OF opinion-pro-
claiming from the house tops, in the noon-day
sun, that truth is mighty and will prevail; and that
evil influences can only be removed by the exer.
else of wisdom and prudence, and that a free gov
eminent can only be supported by virtue and in
telligence without concealment Or disguise.
In the second place, We protest against the pro-
scription of men account of their religious opn-
ions, and that where honesty and capsbilty are
manifest in the aspirant for Office, we will not in
suit him by asking where he was born, or has
Catholic wife, or has been raised up under Cath
ole influence. -lsH. .
Finally, we protest against secret political Or
CARNATIONS, in every shape form, as contrary to
the spirit of the Constitution, ine1pedent and
dangerous to our liberties.
We further protest against the new Constitution
and new laws instituted by the mystic clan now
known as the know nothing party
Satisfied with our old government, that has so
long and so faithfully protected US in the enjoy
ment of religious and political freedom, we will
not abandon it for light and transient causes but
will cling to it as bright inheritance emansting
from the wisdom and philanthropy of good men
now past and gone. 1t has stood the test of expe-
Renee, and has realized the most sauguine hopes of
its founders.
Satisfied with government so perfect in all its
parts, we will not abandon it for another which
has to be whispered in the dark and maintained
in secret. But in defence of the union and gov
eminent of these United States we mutually pledge
to each other our lives our fortunes and our sa-