American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1855-10-06

this county constitute a dangerous poiili.
cal Organization; that the safety OF our coun.
try requires Us To resist and exclude them
from all political Offices, and so far as we
can, from all political influence: but be-
lIeve, also. from the investigation that have !
given this subject, that it rs confined mainly J
TO the ignorant, bisotcd and superstitous for.
eiguer, who has been brought up in foreign
land, aud who has been taught this doctrine
tfOm his infancy. do not believe that our
nhtive born Catholics, who have been bro't
Up under republican institutions, recognize
any such power; and that if they do, the in
stances are 50 rare, that no mischief is at
al likely TO arise from the chances Of THEIR
getting into Office, or of being able to do a
ny mischief if they should that would be at
all equivalent to the prejudice we have now
TO encounter on this subject.
Now, if am right in this conjecture,-
might we not drop this whole question Of Ie-
igion, and by an absolute repeal of the ma,
Ifuraiizaiion lGiV. we would exclude all for
Ileigners from Office, and BY this means we
I'should exclude all foreign Romanists, and
[ !hus accomplish all tha, Is desirable, with
out touching or raising the question oTreli-
| gion, which is so liable to be abused, mis-
undersl God, and misrcpreseuted
| While would suffer no more to acquire
the right OF citizenship, would abridge tho
time within which they should acquire civ
I il and religious privileges, which might 9e
the moment ihey made Il declaration in due
form, Of their intention to become perma-
nent residents of the United States; bat |
wOutd wuhhoid from them all political rights
forever; and then, in the course Of one gen.
Grafton, We should reach the desirable and
/ happy period when we should have none
but native born American citizens to parii-
cipate in controlling the dcstiues Of this
great conu,ry; for what was our policy in
: - ''sSH+Sfg a&iDhaaa oil, ;.igse md
lions, is not our policy now, that we lave
! reached twenty-five or thirty millions; " hat
was our policy when the foreign population
came among us by tens or dozens, is not
our policy now that they come in by the
4 hundred. thousands, a half million a year;
what was our policy when emigration was
confined chiefly 10 lhe enterpriZing. skilful
and respectable merchant, citizen or agri.
cnltnrallSt, is not our policy now, tha, all
/ Europe is belchiug forth the contents of
their aims aud prison houses upon our shores;
and to get rid Of the many that are unwor-
thy, we mus, of necessity exclude The com.
paratvely few that are virtuous, honest and
intelligent. Let us adopt this course, and
1t seems 10 me we shall have disarmed pre-.
Judlce, have established the invncibility OF
our organization, and have accomplished
all that is necessary TO purify and perpet.
uate onr institutions against foreign nnu.
ence and the power Of the Pope
With us in the South, j, is simply dues.
ton Of success or failure, and every defeat
we may sustain will only add strength and
power and influence to the foreigner & the
Catholic. #....
was very glad TO perceive, by circular
received iIom you few days ago, that
you are i'll favor of open nominations; it is
what have contended for from the begin
ming. We shall unguestionably lose great
deal III this State, by not having permitted
those who are outside of the Order. and anx.
ious 10 vote with us, 10 participate in lbe
nominations; and to persist in such course
must necessarily band together all who are
not i'll the order, and thns render us power
less. so long as we assume 10 act as an inde.
! pendent party. Until we acquire strength
that will justify us in acting independently
OF all other parties, ii would be far better
that we should be content TO let other par.
ties nominate, while we hold the balance of
| power and decide between them, than
drive all others from us aud be defeated, aud
as no other party could in that event sue.
ceed without us, there would he but little
danger Of not having candidates selected
who were committed TO our principles. But
in secret conventions there is too much room
left for wire-wolking and management
which it was one Of The objects OF our order
TO destroy, ever Go allow the best men TO be
| fairly selected, and thus secure for ourselves
| and our candidates the confidence and res.
pect Of the country.
Again does the same necessity exis, now,
as did at The time Of the first organization
| of the patty for secrecy, but more especial.
ly would there be If the above suggestions
should be couCurred in and odop,edl
And lastly, might not the ooik which com.
pels member TO vote for the nominee, be
modified or Abandoned
Since the party has become so strong as
to assume an independent attitude, and 10
discard its former early objects, Qha, Of be.
ing balance Of power ouly) il has appear.
cd to me that some or all Of these modiGca.
tons might be advantageousIy adopted. J.
merely snRgesl them Ior your netsonal con.