Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1855-07-18

it will afford you or any one else any salts
faction, you have herewith my views in re.
gard to the great struggle that now absorbs
the attention and energy of the common
wealth. 1t is indeed a very small matter
what or any othe, individual in like humble
circumstances may think about these matters
A fly on the balance.wheel, might perhaps,
as much influence the running of the steam
engine. 1t is though ofsome importance to
myself iuasmuch as the politics Of " Mos
Eprscopos" have been sent around the orbit
in which revolves the Advertiser, " distinctly
disclaimed" by the chief Editor.
What then, ask in defining my position"
is Know Nothingism Well, not being now,
and never having been member of the order,
emphatically and literally know nothing
about it except what have seen in the news
papers and what have on different occasions
gathered from the conversation Of few in.
divduals that suppose were members. And
like all other creeds, whether relating to
politics or relis that which is set forth as
embodying manifestoIof Know Nothing
principles, contain some things which in my
judgment are good and others bad. | have
before me two sets, and as do not remem-
ber having seen either of them in the Edge
field Advertiser, it will afford me much
pleasure to furnish them for publication,
which, as it is by the diffusion of knowledge
among the people that we hope to maintain
our free institutions, it strikes me would be
better than to suppress, for party purposes,
that which the people have right to see.
But, does Know Nothingism propose the
election to Office of Native Americans in
preference to Fereigners9 Then, as a general
rule. itmeets my "aprroval," i" and such think
has been the policy of this and every other
country which has had the direction of the
government in its own hands. But to sweep
out all Foreigners with the broom Of pros.
criptiou, is not in my opinion, right or pru.
dent. There are foreign.born men known
to me, and perhaps someRin tins Villages
who are as thoroughly American as will be
their descendants FIVE generations hence.
Does Know Nothiugism advocate the en-
tire separation Of Church and State, and
guarantee to all alike the rights of conscience,
and oppose the placing in power Of any
who would violate these heaven.d descended
and dearest of all privileges9 Then am |
a Know Nothing, dyed in the WOOL" born,
raised and educated, present, past and for.
ever, until new dispensation comes from
heaven; and in this faith, hope by the
grace OF God to die, even if it is as the stake;
aud dying hope to leave as legacy to my
children, charge to advocate and perpetu.
ate the princip lie.
Does Know Nothingism\ propose to ex.
clude Catholics as such from ofices Then
am not Know Nothing. The St. Louis
Church and the Louisiana delegation to the
late Philadelphia Convention, with others
that might be mentioned, have given evidence
that American Catholics are different tribe
from the priest.rdden, heathenized Christ.
ians that come from lands long oppressed by
despotic rulers, and groaning under the do.
minion of corrupt and decaying hierarchy.
The best boon that could be conferred on
such as these, would be not only to forbid
them from holding Office, but that they
should be allowed no vote, and that their
children should be taught in Government
schools, letters, industry and the principles
of liberty and then, grown up, they might
act out their parts with credit to themselves,
and benefit to others, on this great world
theatre of ours. This latter understand
Know Nothiugism in substance to teach, and
in this advocate the "Order." The dan.
ger to be apprehended from Romanism is
through the influence Of Jesuit Priests, the
train band life.guards of Trans.Alpine Pa
pacy, who have made themselves obnoxious
to almost every country where they have
obtained a foothold, and have been banished
from country to country, for intrigue and
interference with governments that have tol-
Grated them. IfKuow Nothingism proposes
to debar these men from all interference
with our governmental affairs, it meets from
me an "approval" as downright and hearty"
as did Mr.. TycKER's letter.
But, my dear Sir, it is difficult to find a
stopping place when one begins to write on
subjects like these, and therefore give you
what has been written as a specimen Of my
politics, and if you are disposed to take the
trouble to canvass the country, you will find,
in the language of the famous razor.strap
man, ga few more of the same sort left" }"
and like the magic reproduction which. con.
tinualy renewed his exhausting stock, SO
will the spirit of American freedom fill
up the ranks. The principle of liberty,
in medical parlance, has "entered the cir.
culation" of the body polite, and it will take
hard pbysicking to get it out.
In conclusion Colonel, suffer me, in all
sincerity, to extend to you the right hand of