Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-06-23
From the Columbus (Ga) Times.
letter from Hon. IL. Toombs on Know
nothing Ism.


From the Columbus (Ga) Times.
letter from Hon. IL. Toombs on Know
nothinsism.
BosToN, Mass June 6, 1852
DgGa SIR: More than three weeks ago, in com
pliance with my promise, wrote TO you, giving
my opinions orthe new political organization, com
monty known as "Know -nothings" or the Anne
rican party Il did not learn until / reached
Augusta, on my way here, that you had not re-
ceived It. If il should yet come to hand, wish
you to publish il, as il was a much fuller, and
more carefully prepared exposition of my opin-
ions than this letter can be- | shall embark to-
day for Liverpool, and for want of time, must
conine myself TO very brief statement, rather
than an argument on the subject
My hrst objection to the new party is one indie
pendent of It's principles. l am opposed to il
because IT is secret political society. Society
has right TO know the men, and principles, and
the policy OF the men, who seek to direct its
affairs and control its destiny. Publicity is the
lfe-blood of representative republic. Without
it, public liberty must soon perish, and no neces-
slty, short of that which would justify revolution,
can Justify the surrender Of this great security of
popular Government. All party associations are
constantly liable to be used by the cunning, the
unprincpled and enterprising members for the
promotion of personal objects rather than the
public interests, and it needs no argument TO
prove that secrecy greatly increases the tendency,
and facilitates the accomplishment of such un-
worthy ends, Secrecy is the natural covering of
fraud, the natural ally of error, and the enemy
of truth The patriots who framed our Consttu-
ton gave it a fatal blow, by provisions which
secure the freedom of speech and the liberty Of
the press
The objection to the new party derives addi-
tional force from the obligation which is said to
be imposed upon the applicant for admission,
that he will carry out its DEGREES whether his
judgment approves them not. If this be true,
II is surrender of the dearest rights Of freedom,
and is a crime against society.
My next objection to the American party is
that 1T proposes, IN some way, to invade the
rights OF conscience, or to call men in question
for the free exercise thereof. | am opposed to
all religious tests Of every sort, and Tor every
purpose. Our Constitution protects us against
the putting of such tests upon the statute book,
but the principle is founded on truth and Justice,
and ought to be the rule Of the individual action,
as well as of the public conduct of every citizen
Centuries of unavailing persecution taught our
fathers the folly as well the wickedness, of at
tempting to control mems consciences by penal
statutes of civil disabilities; they, therefore, put
the sting of disability into the temptation to dis
grace our statute book with this sort of legisla-
ton. We will defeat their noble object, in part
at least, by enacting different rule in the ex-
ercise ofour political rights
1t is charged that the Roman Catholic party is
cruel intolerant and dispotic The charge is not
wholly unfounded. III be true, it is greatly to
be condemned and deplored, and above all things
we should avoid initiating their vices, and thereby
justify sublecting ourselves to this great condem-
nation. We can neither conquer or eradicate the
vices OF Romanism, whatever they may be, by
initiating them, by persecution The world
has tried these remedies for centuries past, and
tried them in vain. Let US rather oppose her
cruelty with kindness, her intolerance with free
liberation, lin substance as well as for) her des-
look for different and better results. The moment
that the simple, yet sublime truth, got itself ac-
knowedged by our government, that the citizen
is responsible to State for his civil conduct but
to God only for his religious faith, the unholy
bonds which unite the church to the State were
broken, persecution for conscience sake became
impossible here, and religious federation entered
upon its career of universal dominion. Its great
triumph was to strike the fetters from the con-
sciences of the Irish Roman Catholics IL has
begun similar good work for the Protestants in
Spain and Sardinia, and for the Greek in Turkey,
and 1t will 60 on 'conquerng and to conquer, I"
demon of blind, deaf and stupid
shall have no more abiding place upon the face
of the earth.
The Naturalization laws are greatly complained
of by the American party. ] think them founded
on just principles, and are in the main, wise and
good laws. To naturalize an intelligent foreigner
OF good moral character, and attached to free
government, and the principles of our consttu-
ton, and who has resided among us long enough
to test these qualifications, is a great benefit TO
the State, as well as TO the individual who re-
ceives the high privilege. These are the condi-
tons and safe guards which our laws seek to throw
around the right of citizenship. The laws are,
no doubt, frequently violated; they are, doubt
less, imperfect, and do not fully effect the objects
intended by them. Let all proper additions and
amendments, necessary to carry out these objects,
be made, and then let the law be faithfully adj
minlstered, and these things can be done without
the aid Of secret societies
There IS another objection 10 this party, which
should put it under the ban Of Southern opinion
we have had great struggle, for the last six
years, upon an intensely exciting sectional sense
This issue has been settled by the wisdom of the
representatives Of the people. This issue found
its solution in the legislation of 1850 and 1854
The peace and safety of the Republic demand that
this legislation should not only be undsturbed,
but vigorously upheld by the nation The
American party, in the North, whenever il has
had power has shown the most vigorous hostility
to this legislation. The Know-nothings of Mas
sachusetts have attempted to nullify il, and have
shown total disregard of their public oaths, and
therefore, are wholly incapable Of giving any
pledge, open or secret, that man Of honesty
ought TO accept. Political association with these
men is moral completely with their crimes
The true policy of the South is to unite; to lay
aside all party divisions. Wings, Democrats and
Know -nothings should come together and com
bine for their common safety If we are wise
enough TO do this, TO present one unbroken column
of fifteen States united for the preservation of
their own rights, the Constitution and the Union,
and to uphold and support that noble band of
patriots at the North, who have stood up for the
Constitution and the rights against the tempest Of
fanaticism, folly and treason which has assailcd
them, we shall succeed, We shall then have
conquered peace which will be enduring, and
by means which will not invite further aggression
J am, very respectfully,
Your obcdient servant,
Il. TOOMBS.
Col. i. Lomax, Editor Times and Sentinel, Co
lumbus, Georgia.
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