The Portsmouth inquirer. [volume] (Portsmouth, O. [Ohio]) 1849-1855, 1855-06-08
! ~ For the inquirer,
WnshlnEtou hnd Know-NOlhin Eisii.

WnshlnRtOu nnd KNOWN OthinRislns
The Know Nothings, the Cossacks of
the new world. are going SO far in their
audacity as to call even upon the great
and noble Washington. as witness to
their mean intentions. Some passages Of
Washington's writings are, by K. N. pa
pers, garbled out of all connection, and
made to fit their purposes, and with the
passages deformed in this way, these CON
scientious rascals' adorn their columns.
One takes it from another, the faithful ad
herents believe it, because it suits their
purposes, and in triumph they cry, "be-
hold this is said by Washington, he. being
convinced of the truth and justice the
Know-Nothing principles"
He must be "know nothing" indeed,
blinded by prejudice, who could be de.
ceived, for moment, by these false quo
tations, for any man of sound reason, in
the least acquainted with Washington's
writings, will discover their mutilation,
upon first glance. Nobody knew bet
ter how to do justice to the merits of a
Lafayette, De Kalb, Steuben, Montgom-
cry, and other foreigners, than did Wash
ton. No one better comprehended the
idea of political liberty and religious tol-
Grafton, than did he.
The following letter, bearing directly
on this point, and which l have noticed
going the rounds of the Know Nothing
papers, in an awful mutulated condition,
is what l more particularly desire to call
attention to. 1t would not be amiss if
our German countrymen, as we'll as X.
Ms, would take notice of its contents. n
To He general Committee representing the
United Baptist Churches IN Virginia.
Gentlemen, request that you will ac-
cept my best acknowledgements for your
congratulation on my appointment to the
first office in the nation; the kind manner
in which you mention my past conduct
equally claims the expression of my graf
itude.
CATER we had, by the smiles of Divine
Providence on our eXertions, obtained the
object for which we contended. retired,
at the conclusion of the war with an idea
that my country could have no further oc-
casion for my services, and with the in
tention of never entering again into public
life; but, when the exigencies of my coun-
try seemed to require me once more to en-
gage in public affairs, an honest conviction
Of duty superseded my former resolution,
and became my apology for deviating from
the happy plan which | had adopted. II
l could have entertained the slightest ap-
prehcnsion that the constitution framed in
the convention where had the honor tc
preside might possibly endanger tie relig-
ious rights of any ecclesiastical society,
certainly IwouM never haze placed my sig.
nature 10 ii; and if | could now conceive
that the general government might ever
be so administered as to render the liberty
of conscience insecure, beg you will be
persuaded that no one would be more zeal
GUS than myself to establish effectual bar
riers against the horrors of spiritual tyr.
ranny and every species of religious per
secution; for you doubtless remember
have often expressed my sentiments thai
every man. conducting himself as a good
citizen, and being accountable to Godalone
Tor his religious opinions, ought to be pro
tected in worshipping the Deity according
to the dictates Of his own conscience.
i "While recolect with satisfaction tina
the religious society Of which you arr
members have been throughout Americ;
uniformly and almost unanimously thu
firm friends to civil liberty and the perse
vering promoters of our glorious revolu
ZION, l cannot hesitate to believe that they
will be tie faithful supporters of fre'
yet efficient general government. Unde
this pleasing expectation, l rejoice to as
sure them that they may rely upon my bes
wishes and endeavors to advance thei
prosperity; in the mean time, be assured
gentleman, that entertain proper sens
of your fervent supplications to God 70
my temporal and eternal happiness.
81 am, gentlemen, your most obedien
) servant,
"GEORGE WASHINGTON"