The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-05-10
Ysopls's department.
KNOW NOTHING ZEAL.

PROVIDENCE, r. l., 4M mo. Sth, 1855.
| have just received this weeks Era, and find
the usual amount of 6alderddsh inserted, quite
enough to disgust any reader of common sense
We, here in Rhode Island, think we can man
age our own affairs without any dictation, come
from what source it may, whether from Anti
| Slavery friends or Virginia Know Notbingism
| as in the Massachusetts Senatorial question
| The past week has witnessed the greatest change
in Rhode Island politics that this State ever
knew. The Know Nothings have made a com
! pete sweep. In regard to the men elected
they are strong in favor of Freedom, (of al
kinds.) The position of Thomas Davis was the
same as the position of Dr. Kittredge, of New
Hampshire. He was nominated by the Old
Hunker party, and he accepted their nomina-
ton; addressed their Convention. and gave his
ardent support to their State ticket; and is de-
teated by 5000 majority, in favor of n. b. Dur
fee, man eminently qualified to occupy the
post. He is the Peoples choice, and better
friend of down-trodden humanity" does not
exist. One question, of great importance, will
no doubt be brought forward at the next Con-
gress-that is, the naturalization laws, &C. On
that occasion we want our State well represent
ed. Such Representatives We have in Durlee
and Thurston-men who will assert our rights,
and maintain them, too. On the Temperance
question, too, candidates are true, and of the
"Maine Law stamp" The course of Mr.. Davis
whilst in our Legislature his opposition to the
Maine Liquor Law, and the stand he maintain
ed, have rendered him odious to the good peo-
pie Of Rhode Island and did he not profess to
be Anti-Slavery in sentiment, he would scarce
ly be thought an ordinary man. We commend
Mr.. Davis for the bold manner he maintained
in Congress, and the views he then expressed.
Hn nnlu no tyill of ha Ia
whose Representative he was, which, we main
tain, is the only true course for a Representa-
tive TO pursue.
Mr.. Durfee, you will find, instead of being a
Wing, las you sneeringly allude to,) is not a
party man. He is Just the man we want; he
will honestly represent the views Of the Ameri-
can people, the views of those who elected him.
This question must be considered; it is one
that claims the immediate attention of Con-
gress. Look at the results of the election in
Cincinnati the past week. Such is the fruit
of foreign interference. "Our views" are
these: inasmuch as we are required to attain
the age of twenty-one years before voting, so
we say to foreigners come and enjoy the bless
ings of our free country and its institutions but
leave the management to those who have &C
quired q full understanding-untily you have &C
quired a full knowledge and understanding the
duties and obligations required of those claim
ing citizenship. They come among us, rear
ed from youth under monarchical institutions,
entertaining views widely at variance with our
own, band themselves together to promote self
ish and sectional feuds. Look at the different
societies formed for political and other purpo-
SEES" Hibernian," German Leagues, and every
other name that could be devised, to keep up
nationality directly at variance with our form
of Government. Such have been and now are
the sentiments of the masses of foreigners who
swarm our shores. You say the American
party are banded together to prosecute them
on account of religious opinions, or on account
of not being born in this country. Such is not
the case. We wage no war with the foreigner
as foreigner; but, inasmuch as the Catholic
Church is controlled by Popes and priests, who
are striving to gain footing in this land, and
are bent on this one purpose of using all means
within their reach to control the elections of this
country-such being the case, we are banded
together, as honest men, to use all the influence
we possess to PROSTATE such a system, so antag-
onistic with the principles of Liberty. Who,
in looking over the political history of this coun-
try for the last ten or twelve years, that cannot
fail to observe that the foreign element has con.
trolled our Presidential elections? What have
we to hope, if things continue? When shall
we look for redress? There are men, who claim
to be American citizens, who can be bought
and sold. 1t is time to arise from these minor
differences, and let the question be, Shall
" americans rule AnaertcaP"
The question of Slavery is another great ques-
ton, of vast importance, for the American peo-
pie to decide and, instead of quarrelling about
Know Nothingism, let every true man stand
shoulder to shoulder, side to side, and elect the
right men, who will decide this question in an
impartial manner. You cannot blame your
subscribers for refusing to support your paper.
They are men like Yourself, who act according
to the dictates of their consciences they are
honest, and will not desert the cry of the poor
slave in bondage. Why is it that our best men
have Joined the Order-men such as Hale, Sum-
ner Wilson, and Giddings, and scores ofothers-
if there is wrong principle at the bottom of it?
Rest assured that it is not so bad as you would
wish to make it. Let all good men join the
Order, and use their influence in putting none
but good men in Office.
Your correspondent, under the initials of A.
c., of Penfeld, is disguised in the skin of a
lion, but his bray is that of an ass. If A. c.,
on entering the Order, took an obligation of Sc
crecy; if he possessed the secrets of the Order,
and had professed to be friend to the institu-
ton, why does he turn traitor and belle good
name, which is worth more than gold? Now,
the testimony of this man goes for nought. If
A. c., on entering the Order, pledged himself
to abide by the viii of the majority, did he not
perjure himself by voting for Clark? Why did
he not avail himself of the privilege guaranteed
to all, of an honorable discharge? But in this
instance, as in others, we see a traitor abroad.
Other cases have occurred. An "Arnold" be-
trayed his country, and in the little band of
twelve, Judas was found. Such things are
rare When will men learn To he true Tn them
selves, their country, and their God?