The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-10-02
AN APPEAL TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.


been fought on the outer walls Of the constitution but
the assault is made lis very citadel Hitherto we
have been divided on questions Of policy, but
to ward off blows avowedy aimed al the vital parts
Of our free institutions Heretofore all parties have pro
ssed show Of regard for the great charter Of our
liberties which the men Of the revolution bought with
their blood but within the last two years party has
been formed whose members sworn to rampe il under
foot The know-nothng order ia at this moment con-
stanty and actively engaged in its secret lodges plotting
with and drilling its dupes carry out this impous oath
against the constitution.
If there be any thing which orethers guarded
with than another il is The right of each in
this free country worship God according to the dictates
Of his conscience II and dear to their pa
riotic hearts They established it on basis which they
thought secure, and handed il TO as their children
with the solemn inunctions to preserve it we'll Lit
tie did they dream that legacy precious, which made
the envy and admiration of all good through
the world ever would be the subject of among
ourselves still less did they suppose that whole body Of
men calling themselves Americans would band themselves
together for tho purpose of destroying it.
All persons of humanity and admit that
it is wrong punish for their religious opinions For
more than hundred years has been universally
knowedged in this country the paincst principle of
justice that citizen should be held responsible person
ally, legally politically for his creed form Of
ship That is matter to be settled between him and his
God These propositions which it would be an insult
to your understandings to argue If majority Of the
people have doubt of their truth may well aban
don the experiment of free government at once and
agree that Penn and Washington and Jefferson fools
or knaves. To establish it rule Of political action
that all who believe form of Christianity shall be
excluded from share in the government OF their country
and that office and influence and political supremacy shall
be given to those alone who believe in different creed
what this but to punish some for their supposed hetero
doxy and reward others for their orthodoxy? And what
human being has right to thrust himself between bis fell
lowcreaures and their God for such purpose this
The atrocity of the attempt which the knownothings
making to do aggravated by the fact that while
they prescribe and prosecute all who sincerely and honest
y believe in certain church. they take to their bosom
men who have religion at all and lavish their ayors
upon hypocrites and and rbad infdels, who
scott at Divine truth OF every kind.
But this is not the worst Every who takes the
know nothing oath 10 oppose Tie constitution. That
instrument declares that there shall be gous as
qualification for Office. The know-nohing binds himself
to make religious test at the polls when he his vote
and to make religious test in the dpensaton of all his
patronage elected to any station where he has patronage
to bestow. Nay he binds himself to make no other test
where the choice is between native citizens Merit qua-
fcaon, public service honestyall are made TO give way
before the question of the candidates religion Now
recoect that every public officer to support
that constitution, which positively and plainly orbids
religious test Elect know-nothing, and how is he to
take that oath while he has another oath sticking his
throat which binds him to destroy m Is terrible to
think that government should be in the hands of
pdity which this knavery which dsregards
it2 Can any just and upright administration of public
affairs be expected from who are thus situated
The known ohng party is also bringing grievous dis
grace upon the religion of the country Christianity teach
peace and good will and kindness and in the
that Christianity, the knownothings everywhere
exciting hatred and strife and oppression and bloodshed
They identify Professionalism with the intrigues political
gamesters with the plottngs of councils and with
the lawess acts of the basest ruans If they really be-
leved in the Protestant religion, in any religion ALL
they would try honor il in far different way In all
time the of these sefeeced defenders of
the Protestant churches will be felt the deepest injury
to their The very same infdes who are now aid
ing in it will throw it up the true believer evil
There is another most serious aspect this organ
izaon When associated together in a secret
party for public purposes il entails kind Of necessity
upon them to be disngenuous uncandid and se in their
words well actions. This has been unhappily
exempfed by the secret order speak Of Citizens who
had previously borne unbemished characters uni
ted with these lodges than they showed themselves cap
Bile of the meanes equvocatons Men high in public trust
grossly abused the confidence of the people Newspaper
editors deceived their readers by protesting fidelity prin
cipes which they had to oppose. Candidates for
high offices falsely denied their connexon with the order
and gave solemn to that effect in writing II
perhaps no: too much say that large portion Of several
Of the last legislatures Ia the free States got their seats by
false pretences Are you willing to put your
into the hands of such these and TO let them rule
over you and make your laws
Again The effect Of such order is to make those who
join it mere sares 1t is perfectly obvious that man
be worthy the Of American or freeman who
will surrender to others the right of debating his political
action. But each know nothng Ms bound by q solemn
oath TO obey the behess of his council whether he thinks
right wrong under the penalty of being published
through oil the councils peured traitor and the dan
ger of having his private business destroyed and broken
up Many honest and bold men, seeing that the order
full Of corruption and its oaths impious mockery
have ont and deed them But there many Others