Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1855-06-19
Prom the Columbus Times
LETTER FROM HON. ROBERT TOOMBS ON
kSOW-NOIIIlSGI
BpsToS, Mass, June 6, -,


DEAR Sin More than three weeks ago. in com-
pliance with my promise, wrote TO you, giving my
opinions of the new political organization, commonly
known ns "Know- Nohings" or the American party.
did not learn until reached Augusta, on my way
here. that had not received n Ii il should vet
come 10 hand wish youto publish it, asst was much
fuller and more CAREFUL; prepared exposition OF ny
opinions than this letter can be. siidii Gnburk to-
day for Liverpool and. for want of time, muat con-
fine myself 10 very bret statement, rather than an
arg,imUut on the subject.
NV FIRST objection TO thu New Party il one indie
pendent OF It's principles. am opposed Ia 1t because
II il secret political society. society has right I"
know the lnen and the principles and the pcilry al
he cE, who seek to direct s affairs and con:Ia! H.
dc.,iny. t-ubiiGity is the life. blood III representa-
1--WE RopahIc. Without il, pubic liberty must
perish, ana Necessity, short Of ;!l.t %Eic would
justify revolution can iiatlty III" surrender Of tbs
great SECURITY OF popular government. All party as
sociutiOns c0nstunty liable 70 be used by the
ming, the ulprrcipcd and cntcrprising members for
;En promotion of personal objects rather than the
pubic ute:gSts, and il needs argument prnvc
that secrecy greatly ri1ease tho tendency and faci
tates the Accomplishment Of suc rnworthy ends
Secrecy is the natural covering OF fraud te natural
all OF error and the enemy Of truth. The patriots
who iGIlcs OF: coTSijtulion gave It fatal blow, by
provisions which sccIro Tie freedom of speech and
ia" liberty M the preSE
The objection 10 the New Party ueryas additional
force from the GbgnIion which Is snd I" be imposed
uE0; the applicant i"T a. OMISSION. that he will carry
out IL iC2rri. Gh"lhcr lis judgment approves them
or not. Ii th hG tue. i e surrender "l The dear
c-t rights III irreT.aH aud IL lfD ai.l-i society
Ny mex; objection 10 the American party l., itai it
proposes, III some way t" invade the rights 1T con
$"is o. u =, call men in question 10! the nee cScr
csa thereof. I AT gpUosed 10 all religious tests o!
every sort and lo every rhrp-s}. Our constitution
protects IL against IN" putting % sci' ieS Con the
statute book, but the principle is founded % irin
end G.ce, I'D ought 20 he the rule ol the individual
action, n: vel i.d 'hc conduct of every citi
zen. Centuries OF undyainB pTrsGC":on taught our
fathers ii.e folly NJ well rs the wickeGncss of hrrpf-
lug to control iho:.s consciences by penal sstGt.1
Of civil disabilities; they, tneistITD PIT the sting OF
disability into the temptation to diS,,rarc u,i stntue
book viii ibis sort OF legislation. We will defeat
their noble objects, IL Grt at least by enarting dii-
torent rule in the exercise Of Ga. political rights
1t liz charged that the Roman Catholic grIy = cru
al i,,G.c"an and iesp0iic. The chargc is not wholly
un:ourded. j !; Gc true, il is greatly 10 be dcmn-
ed and d"i.Ihed AMI .L::ve all things, we shnnld
avoid initiating lcir vc6s, hi thereby Justly sub
rr.:Lg ourselves to fhis g;eaf condemnation. We
can neither .:Gn:,uer eradicate the vices OF 70.
anisIh, whatever ti"y an. he, by initiating ilc:.
~ by persecution. Tie wnr: hn2 tlir these reno
dies Tor centuries past and tried them III Vain -
rather oppose her cruelty with Kindness her INTO
leTHncc with tree orrailnn lin substance ~ well n
form her ,esn0sm with freedom and then may
reasonably look Ter different ana better results. The
moment thut the simple" get a.blime truth got Itself
acknowledged by our government, that iiiP ci;en Il
respnnse TO State for his civil conduct, bat 10 tinn
only for his religious faith the unholy bonds which
rpite the church TO the State broken. persccn.
ton for CGEh"cnct sake became Impossible here, ana
religious icIefal,Da .s"4d upon its career OF univrr
sal dominion. It's grent triu 9. "6J to strike the lei
tiers from the conscicnres of the Irish Roman batii1'
lies. IL has begun similar good work for tho Pro-
Cssuts in Spain and Sardinia, and for the Greek IN
Turkey, n,;I i will go on "cnnquering and to con
quer, until tie brr.G.. IF psrsecuiinn"blind, dehf
aud siupid-shall have ic Elo.e gliding place upon
the face ~ the earth.
The Naturalization laws are greatly complained 81
by the American pnry think them founded ON
iu-t principles. and are in the main, wise and good
laws. To naturalize M intelligent foreigner OF good
moral character, and attached 10 bee government
and III. principles ni 0ur constitution, did who HIS
resided among ia long enough to test these G6lihca-
ons is great benert 10 rie State: rs well a. IL the
individual who receives the high privilege. Those
are tho conditions and safe guards which our laws
sock to throw around the right of citizenship. Tic
las arc, doubt, frequently vioiatedi they are.
doubtless, imperfect. and 10 not fully effect tho ob,
ects intended By them. Let I'll proper additions and
amendments, necessary n carsy OFT tE"sr objects ne
made, and then let the law he faithfully administered,
and these things can be done without tho a!h or SC
crct societies.
There is another objection 10 this party, which
should cut it under the ban of Southern opinion we
have had great struggle. for the last SIX years. up
on an intensely exciting sectional sense Inns issue
has been settled by tho wisdom az the representa-
tves of the people. This issue found lid statcn IN
the legislation OF 1850 and 1854. The peace and safe.
~ OF the Republic demand that this Legislation should
not omiy be undisturhcd, but vigorously upheld by
the nation. The american party, in tho North
whenever it has had power has shown the most vig-
orous hostility to this legislation. The hnow.No-
things Of Massachusetts have attempted to nrl'ly IT,
md have shown total disregard Of their I"Ii'f
osths, and therefore, arc wholly incapable Of giving
Nny, pledge open or secret. that man OF honesty
ought 10 accept. Political association with these
is moral completely with their crimes
The true policy Of the South Is I" unit; to aT aside
all party divisions. Wings, Democrats and Know
So;H!nS4 should come together and combine for Their
Common saitfj II we are wise enough to do this to
present one uuDroa:. column OF fifteen States united
Tor tn" preservation of their a;:n right tho C"ns:itu-
ton AMI tile Union, and TO uphold arI supper. Ihat
nobiG bend Of patriots at tho North who haf stood UP
for the Constitution and the rights against the tempest
of ianaticsn, folly and treason which has assGiled
them. we shall succeed. We shall then have con-
qucyed peace which will be enduring and by means
which viii not invite further aggression.
am, very respectfully,
Your obeG:eni servant,
+. TOOMBS.
Col. !. LomAx. Editor Times and Sentinel,
Columbus, Georgia.