The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1855-07-26

| rencer Inc INDIVIDUAL Cath0ic Ineligible 4
office: the true inference from the premis
as they construe it is, that the Catholi
Chufch ought not TO be tolerated at all. Oh
the other issue, The premise is, that the 70.
eign element in our population is dangerou
10 the government 1.-The inference is, the re
duction OF part of the right OF citizenship
--the eligibility 10 Office, in the foreigners
already here, and an extension of the term o
naturalization. The true inference is, The
prohibition of all emigration for the future
and The avoidance of every thing tha, wout
exasperate The foreign element already ia
the midst OF us; the careful observance o.
every thing which would tend 10 strengthen
their attachment 10 the institutions of The
country.
These are The results which logically is.
sue from the premises Of the Know Nothing
creed, and which they are logically required
10 assume. But they dare no, do il: the
measure they propose 10 adopt-tbe exclu
| sion from ofiice--is ridiculously incomplete as
practical exredient: il is most impolenl
and lame conclusion, as logical inference.
1t is absolutely necessary, either to cease
This political crusade against large masses of
the people, or 10 make il efFeclual 10 accom-.
plish, not only the ends il holds in view, but
10 prevent the incidental evils the effort at
reform has created in its progress. Nolhin.
short of a far more effecliye diminnlion OF
the common rights of citizenship than has
yet dared TO assume the shape of public
proposition, will meet the ends which the
American party are seeking TO accomplish
Ii is absurd 10 admit large classes of men 10
all The common rights of citizenship, except
one, and that by no means the most impor-
tant one. II there is reason why they
should be deprived OF one, it is reason
why they should be deprived OF all. II it is
right 10 allow them 10 vote, it is right 10 al
low them 10 be voted for; the one right is al.
most, if not altogether, 10 cofrelstive of the
other. Amy argument which would prove
man disqualified for Office, would prove him
disqualified TO vote. There may be special
reasoss why particular Offices, involving The
representation OF The national character, as
well as the national policy, should be excu-
svely occupied by native born citizens but
this is very different in nature, and proceeds
upon wholly different principle of political
wisdom, from the universal declaration of
ineligibity 10 all Office, among large mass
es of citizens. Tha! eligibility, attaches as
an incident, or inheres among the mass of
the common rights of citizenship; and il is
absurd 10 admit the citizenship in general,
and eeny this single capacity which i; n-
wolves. This principle of action involves
the explanation Of the difficulty raised by
the writer in the Critic for May, in relation
10 the eligibility of Chinese or a Mahom-
medan. This question will be settled by the
settlement of previous question, and tina,
is, whether large masses of such persons,
Pagans and polygamsts, are to be admitted
at all TO the permanent and general partici-
patton in the rights of citizenship in Chris
tian Couniryi
1t is on this question, the great Mormon
issue now ripening for trial, will be deter
mined in few years. Copceding this issue
as determined in the affirmative, all minor
questions, such as eligibility to office, aud
proprety OF voting such persons into office.
are settled: it is absurd to question the or
dnary propriely Of allowing by vote, what
is allowed by law. The whole question, as
general proposition, is determined by the
permanent admission Of large masses Of per-
sons IN view, TO the, common rights of ciii-
zenshp. 1t is one hing 10 allow specific
privileges TO individual foreigners residing
on our soil, for specific purposes; but il is
altogether another, 10 disfranchise in part,
and by principle designed. TO be perma-
nent, immense masses of men already per-
manenty part Of The population, and SO
recognized. We insist, therefore, that The
whole movement must retrace liz progress,
or go forward; il is unwise IN the extreme 10
leave all their power for mischief in their
hands, resulting in part from iheir simple
existence in the country as pan of its pop.
ulation, and, in part, from the privileges the,
! are still 10 be left hem-and then exrsne.
rate them to use it, by attempting 10 reduce
their full political equality With citizens Of
other birth and other religious opinions.
We object in the lest place, and with deer
severity OF convection, 10 the principles Of
organization adopted by the American OF
Know-Nothiog party, ard TO some Of the
particular features which they have embodi-
ed IN tner order. If-ever any priuc,pe was
/ at war with The very foundation Of the Amen
j ican Republic, it is The principle Of 4 -
d bound organization of political ?
nscessary, dangerous, hostile -
ldamental maxims of Republican liberty,
& I'd, III lis existing aspect, demofaiizing in a
degree. Il strikes blow at that great
'amentaI maxim of the goyernment--ihe
IIlgence Of the people--an essential ele-
hens Of republican liberty. What matters
| Il how much intelligence the people may
have, IL political men will conceal from. Them
the elements upon which TO employ that in
1 ~ r