The Feliciana Democrat. (Clinton, La.) 1855-186?, 1855-04-28
Tgt fditiana' democrat.
Objections to Know Nothing-isrn.

OUOCGOilS W huOW NCtAALb-ASl
During the last session Of the late Congress,
the advocates Of the New Order delivered
many able and eloquent speeches In support OF
itspccuar and prescrptived =. T.cywcre
met by talented and patriotic representatives
of the Democratic party, who exposed its rot
tcnncss of principle, its re-opening Of the whi-
tened sepulcMe Of Federalism, and Its unlal-
lowed attempts to lay violent hands upon the
Constitution. t f M
None was more able than that delivered by
the Hon. L. NJ. KErrr, of South Carolina.
Passing over the earlier portion of his speech,
we come to that part, where, he replies to the
expression made by Mr.. Binks, of Massacha-
setts, that "they the Know NothingsN have
the right to secrecy" He thus proceeds;
That associations of men for political
purposes have the legal right to secrecy is
indisputablc; but the moral aspect of the
question is at least debatable. There are
two kinds of right, the legal and ethical.
The former looks to the peace of society; the
latter to morals. The pampcred capitalist
has legal right to refuse a penny to the
starving wretch upon his door-sil; but is
there no obligation of charity upon him?-
Are there no duties beyond the reach of
law? In a state of isolation, each one pos
sesses rights unqualified by artificial re-
straints. Government is established for
great and indispensable purposes, and nee
essary to it is the possession of certain pow
ers. Each one, therefore divcsts himself
of certain portions of-his natural rights and
power, and bestows them upon government.
The forms government are numerous; but
each form has some great and vital require
ment. The requirement OF a republic is
publicity. Suffrage is its life-blood; and to
give health to the body polite, it should be
not ouly free, but intelligent and discrimi-
mating. How can this he when measures
are planned in secret and withheld from in
vestigation? ask again, is there no pub
lie duty beyond the empire of mere law?-
l have the legal right to east my vote for
the most ignorant and corrupt: but have
the moral right? We have established
political organization which affects us all,
and have | the moral right to commit it to
those who will use it to the injury of the
Others? The interests of all are affected
10y the measures of the government and
does not good faith require that those mea-
surcs should besu' 'jected to public examina-
tion? In society we cannot absolutely in
dividualize ourselves; we must look out be
yond self. There is difference between
associated and individual action.
Having promised thus much upon the
moral right of secrecy, submit to the com
mittee three objections to the know.nothing
organization:-
lst 1t tends to break down therights of
the States. H
I'd. 1t attacks the character of the Amer
lean people.
3D.. 1t invades the sanctitics of social
life.
1st 1t tends to break down the rights of
the States. Does it not profess to extend
all over the Union? What are some ofits
objects? To regulate the right of suffrage,
and exclude forci igners from all ofliees.-
Does not the right Of suffrage belong cxcu-
sively to the States? If so, is not this in
U'llIiNlSc III tIlc IHlcIlOI uHdlTS OI II StaIe.
Is not this attempt to control suffrage Dig
ging at the very foundation OF the State
structures and lining power to rccast
their deepest foundations? Arc not the
States foreign to each other, except so far
as they have contracted together? IF so. is
not this an attempt to consolidate them to-
gether in avital matter, in which they are
distinct and foreign by their organic con-
stitutions? Isnot consolidation the break.
ing down of State rights? The social con-
dition of Massachusetts blends with that of
South Carolina, and both simmcring and
seething together tertiun quid is evolved
which is to be the rule of government for
both. saz. ii
Again: mo foreigner shall hold an Office
of honor or trust" Is not this intrudng
into the domestic affairs of State? Pro-
scription must 90 into everything-into po-
lice institutions. into private corporations,
into municipal affairs, into the charity of the
hospital, and into the garbage of the gutter.
If this foreign interference with, and con-
troll Of, the purely domestic affairs ola State
does not break down State rights, am at
q loss to conceive what will What is con-
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