The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-10-10
HIaHER law I'M rnE sourH.

posed that outside of his mad elan there could be found
traitorousy disregardul Of the manifest and ao
requirements Of the constitution as to attempt
openly to defeat these requirements by an appeal TO an
other tribunal But Seward, and Greeley and Garrison,
and Fred Douglass have Of late host of new converts
TO their heretea doctrines; theySeward 4 Co.-in-
vented and preached up this absnrdiy only as means OF
fostering the spirit of skepcism and inhdey, by aid OF
which they hope oist themselves into power or to de-
sroy the Union And doubt not they have been agree
ably asionshed TO find party claiming to be par e1cel
the American party adopting their arguments for the
purpose of urthcrng its designs against the rights and
immunities guaranteed to all naturaaed citizens.
The know-nothing party claim to be the 6rst and
only party the many which have ourished and fallen
in this country which has gone beyond the arch abolition
asitators in attacking the constitution and yet with
canting hypocrisy they proclaim intense devotion TO
lis principles and 10 the Union of which it is The basis and
the only safeguard But let examine more particularly no
the nature OF their designs which the dangerous
from being concealed The knownotbng organs and their
orators indignant in their denals Of any wish de-
sign their part infringe upon the constitutional rights
of the foreign and Catholic citizens. They deny that they
even desire have the federal government touch this
qucson-to have Congress say that but natyeborn
Proestans shall hold any Office OF trust profit under
the United States this they do not desire for this is
pressly forbidden by the constitution But what they do
desire and what they party and individuals swear
to use every means in their power 10 accomplish this
very same thing which the constitution expressly says shall
not be done.
demonstration of the national council know notlngs,
in article second says that the object of this organza
ton shall be to protect every American citizen in the legal
~ nd
privileges to resist the insidous policy of the Church
Rome and all other foreign influence against republic
can institutions in all lawful ways place in all offices
of honor trust profit in the gift of the people, by APP
pontmcnt none but native-born Protestant citizens &c.
We can find higher authority the objects Of know
nohngsm than this and here is distinctly declared that
tho lafI way to protect American citizens in their civil
and religious rights and to resist the Roman Catholic
policy is 10 close the door all Offices 10 all but aapeboyn
Proesan citizens The constitution Of the United States
distinctly recognises oregnborn naturazed citizens SELF
gibe to Office also declares in emphatic language that
religious test qualification for Office shall be adopt
cd The question then arises how can it be aefl for
know nohingsm bind its members keep out of Office
an fore;qn5or and Colc cians7 To do this to go di
recy in the teeth of the constitution The Of the
know-nohing is that is proposed by his party pass
born Protestant citizens shall hold oce-this he
cedes would be against the constutonbu he proposes
10 render the constitution dead letter by getting sufficient
of citizens to agree together by oath not TO vote
for any but natvebon Protestants for Office to keep all
forcgn-born Catholic citizens forever out Of office In
other words the proposition is to create and perpeuate
lap Of pubic sentiment in conflict with and destructive
of important clauses in the constitution which shall be
higher and stronger than the law Of the constitution This
is step beyond Sewardism in the warfare of fanaticsm
and bigotry upon the Aderal constitution.
But in order that there may he installing the real
know-nothng position, state il from letter written
By Judge Berrien of Georgia. during the late in
the State II is not necessary 10 say that higher know
nothing authority than Mr. Berien cannot be found The
letter was defence of the 1aeican party and is prnei
pies. We quote rs follows:
1t would be wrong in the government to make this
pious test an exercise Of discretion which the people
not inrused to them Thus that which would be wrong
the the right and duty of the Citizen
Mark the position of Mr.. Berrien 1t would be wrong
for the government by which be the representatives
of the people, enact laws making this religious test APP
pcable to the holding Of Offices. Why2 Because the
constitution forbids IT, But the individual citizens
prevented by the constitution from swearing that they will
apply this religious in casting their votes Therefore
Mr. Berren argues that what would be wrong in the gov
eminent would be right in the indvidual Very true say
the Sewarditcs and in like you'd be nrong e
gorsynme (ha u.s. Congress and the Presiden 10 sag ~
gipe slapes shall not be returned The people hare moi in
trusted this io,cer them Thus schat aeoid be wrong
he gopyna,eat acouM be Hc igt and the duty Of tie citizen
And again ooad be serog IN The government 10 make
his ree-sol test Of admission othe Unonan exercise Of
discretion hich tho people hare net ntrusca 20 en thus
that eLie road Be wrong IN he government ,oaldJ 10 Me
riyst and The dasy Of nc citizen.
What reply could Judge Berriou and his know-nothng
brethren of the South make TO such speech from Sew
ard But let continue the application further The
know-nohings say they only vote individuals against
foreigners and Catholics and the abolitions adds and we
only vote against the rendition of fugitive slaves and the
admission of any more slave States individuals Where
them is the difference in tho practical workings Of these
two parties? There is mono. The know-nohing higher
Inv is aimed at the rights Of the foreigner and Catholic
that of Seward and Greeley at the rights of the South
They arc both in direct violation of the spirit and letter of
the constitution. Neither party can, with any show of
consistency object to the reasoning Of the other. The
principle is the same whether preached by Garrison at the
North or Berrien at the South That principle recognises
the right Of an association OF individuals to organize
government and secure the allegiance Of it's members
by solemn oaths which shall bind them disregard the
obligations imposed upon all citizens to sustain and up