The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-01-05
GRESSI0NA AL.
SPEECH OF WILLIAM $. BARRY,


Mr. BARRY said.
Mr CHAInuAs propose to offer some remarks TO the
committee this time subject which has been brought
10 their notice in debate during the present session and
which has occupied the attention of the country also TO
considerable degree, during the last few months That
subject Is in common paranee called know-nothingism
rise declare here the views which entertain that
subjec-views which expressed at home during the past
summer while visit there and which think IL my
duty declare this OCCASION inasmuch opposite
views have been ayowed here and prevented
ing them at the time they were uttered.
This society, association known by the name of
"kpownothngsp is which has recently sprung into
exisence Its founders unknown its purposes are
unknown because the purposes ayowed by those who are
supposed to belong 70 ily those ndvoaatng iaae con
duccd from authorized aowals OF those
belong TO the society but they are to be gathered BY
scraps collected here and there from the declarations OF
hoee who suspected of being members who have
incidentally acquired information. 1t is not like other
political organizations here ayowing principles and meet
ing and daring the responsibility OF the ayowa 1t is not
like other associations, which, having principles believed
be Of vital importance To the country, their members
are willing declare those principles, and to stand fall
with Them IT, then, in attempting to find out the pur
poses OF this order, shall do injustice to tiff shall
ascrbe to il that which its advocates deny let members
upon this floor If there be such belonging to the order rise
and correct shall be willing to be supplied with the
information willing, perhaps, than they will be to
give it.
country II appeals to that feeling of nationality without
which nation cannot exist as independent govern
ent but which, at the Same time, when knded and mad
dened, may destroy all that Is good in government and
subvert the very principles which it established
There is nation in the worldand the intellectual
socially and politically the nation is the less ready il will
be 10 entertain preudiceI say that there nation
upon earth in which this prejudice against foreigners and
foreign population cannot be aroused and the most beau
tfn and soothing effect of civilization the loveest nHu
ehce of institutions, has been mofy this pre-
udice against those outside borders and to bring the
whole family Of nations as It were into common broth
erhO0d According to the degree of nations cyiliza
tom according ii is high or low, you WILL general
rule find this prejudice and hostility to foreigners. In
proportion nation il elevated in its consciousness of
power and in its knowledge of the high duties of cvilz
on viii 1t receive and treat with respect those who spring
from foreign soil reared under the influence OF
different ideas and as IT sinks IN the scale OF elrespec
and civilization in the degree do you find this peu
dice and as nation is possessed Of abbe instead Of
people, it will be that its fury be aroused against
all who cannot pronounce its shbboleh.
One of the most frequent Qualifications OF this organiza
ton Mr.. Charman-he one which have heard alluded
to here and elsewheres that there associations
Of foreigners which must be couneraced in this
II such political associations exist among the foreign popu
stion OF this country IT certainly strange method
to rebuke the error by forming other associations i'll which
mbodied all that is wrong in those condemn We
give dignity and consequence to their conduct by initiating
It and lose all the advantage of honest principles by level
ing conduct to the standard of those repro
bate n the foreigners have adopted rules Of action ncom
patble either with social order political rights there
be duty consistent with pure philanthropy or
clvated patriotism than the attempt their error
and infse into their minds user views Of the duties of the
citizen both to his neghbor and 10 the State We have
adopted the humane and tolerant opinion of Mr. Jefferson
the great apostle of the democratic party and who infused
into it that generous and trusting faith whether
native alien born which has been the germ of the chief
differences between the two great parties of the country
Tha little is TO be feared from error ohH htt
free to combat IT. The evils that not to be cured
by persecution the faggo and the stake exploded
gumcns and having discarded the open, manly and
responsible instruments OF torture will
to seize upon those which secret sinister and rrespon
siblc
few Germans ESQ goes the story have formed
ciaon whose purpose is among other heterodox things to
abolish the Christian Sabbath straightway the alarm
ia me
ism before have become disturbed We have body of
Christians, numerous, jealous, and deyout we have
press, able, skul, and ready have clergy
watchul learned, and pious and, than ALL have
Revelation which, rock is based the institu
tion Of the Christian Sabbath yet neither nor all OF these
are thought sufficient the Sabbath from the assaults
Of few nanelcs foreigners, and the aid of the civil an
thory invoked to devise some policy by which the tide
Of German inidelity may be stayed That remedy is
worthy Of Rome herself three hundred years ago II is
disianchise three millions of people TO the poll
c OF the reest government earth and while there are
indications of progress in every nation of the civilized
world to present ours as the only which going back
ward If the efforts Of few hundred foreigners Gan put
Christianity in peril il has feebler hold upon the human
heart and is less closely interviewer with the wants and
principles Of our nature than had supposed
There have been meetings held publicly in New York
city, and doubtless win be again, when the Bible, the
Church. and the whole scheme of Christianity have been
denounced and held up to reprobaton These meetings
composed of natyeborn citizens and yet remedy
has been proposed for the evil which required the isran
chisemen Of all natyebon citizens on account of the IN
vagaes of few, which struck Mt the root Of the
dearest privileges of the citizen eradicate transient
though crying evil Tho Boston Investigator has for years
arowed and advocated principles utterly at with
Christianity yet body of that know of has eagued
together by solemn oatLs disfranchse the editor his
readers of their civil rights The Unitarianisn prevalent
in and about Boston is little acceptable to the great body
Of Christians in this country Cathocsm but The truly
noble tolerance of the people has not thought il just or
polite 10 attempt the extinction OF heresy ntdely by
imposing civil disabilities. The best the only proper REM
edy for opinion is argument and truth offered in
the spirit Of respect and kindness and party which IN
free country attempts TO drive by secret or open
prescription and to punish freedom vt thought by covert
assaults of intolerance achieve only temporary sue
and escape for but little while the condemnation
which enlightened visit upon every form OF persecu
ton Wherever thought is free il will riot in
Tile great truths which the consent Of has adopted
but grains OF wheat wnnowed from bushels of chab
1t is only by the widest excursions Of thought at the
treasures of the universe ga7nered and the achievements
Of often suggestive OF the finest discoveries OF
truth Your freedom and mine, Mr.. Chairman, to Mi1k
right upon the guarantees as the Germans right
10 htHk wr0ng His right the abuss OF his freedom OF
thought be asssed through the medium OF law or
the criminal agency OF secret oathbound assoca
on without perllng right TO the proper use of our
freedom.
Secret political associations have heretofore existed in
oppressed countries for enaTging the rights Of the citizens
and limiting the powers of rulers but this Is the first
ar IS my reading extends in which the effort has been
made through such organization 10 narrow the liberty
Of man. and graft oppressive principle upon the govern
ment There has been strong repugnhnce TO these po
lea associations IN this country from the earliest period Of
our history The Society Of the Cincinnati formed mmc-