American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1855-05-31
ADMINISTRATIONS.


tail by the Methodists, PreSbyterians, and i
aCongrepationaists who are represented as t
reneralIv giving "aid and comfort TO the S
enemy" and thereby committing the overt
act of treason against democracy, and /
Mhigasry, the two great party creeds 5
Which have so long divided the popular '
vote of these United States;-and what is I
worse still, divided the Offices Of honor !
aaRemolument between them, as they al i
ternatey came into power. '
? Now, for ourself, having no desire, or
encouragement 10 enter into the contest OF
Office, we are really very hard hearted in
rraspectfnthe notifications our demo-
Id whig political leaders feel. at
siisruption of their party array and
chinplcts. We do not weep to see the
COOL people of the country repudiasing the
maxim that "to the victors belong the .
spoils." On the contrary, we are glad to
see they begin to be indignant that the Of
fees of the general and state governments,
SHOULD be conferred as the reward of cleo
tioneering services, without regard to the
qualifications of the appoiutes, for the
proper discharge of the duties the Office i'm
poses; indeed, without any regard to NOR
al reputation or standing in the communi-
ty. These evils have long existed, and
have had most extensive influence in de-
moraFzing the community, threatening the
to.al extinction Of public virtue and pari-
osism. We do not, therefore, sympathize
with those who dread the Know Nothings,
as likely to break up the party organiza-
tious which have SO long ruled our coun-
try, absolutely, and most tyrannically.
The objections urged against the Know
Nothings in the ercerpta sent tous, as well
as in other publications we have seen, are,
first the oaths by which the members Of
the association are said to bind themselves
to carry out the measures adopted by the
body. or these oaths we can say nothing,
because we know nothing. Some persons
have pretended to publish them, but at the
same timo admit they are gully ofperjury,
AMI, therefore, unworthy Of belief. Yet
we do suppose that the members, compos-
ing secret organization are held to the
sociaty by promises which are considered
to be sacred and nviolable. But the Tam
many Societies of The country were always
thus bound, without incurrng any denun-
citation on that particular account, and
have exerted more political influence in
the United States than the Know Nothings
have yet been able TO effect.
For ourself, we 'swear not at ALL" We
have never yet taken m oath according to
the form prescribed by law; not that we
have acertain and undoubted conviction
that it is morally wrong to do so, but be-
cause we are not sure tits right; and act
ing on the apostolic injunction, "Let every
man be fully persuaded in his own mind, -
and not being fully persuaded that the in
junction "swear'not atall" is limited toSpro
fame swearing, we have been able to allcgc
conscientious scruples and have been al
lowed by judges, and Justices of the peac'
TO "ailirm" instead Of taking an oath. |
will then bo seen that if admission int
the Know Nothing association requires tn,
applicant to take an oath we are excluded
But we cannot admit that there is any
thing more binding on the conscience i
taking an oath than in making solemn al
frmation In the one case we call upo
the name of God; in the other we recogniz
him as present everywhere reading tn
thoughts of the heart, however concealc
from our fellow men. From all this W
conclude that the objection to oath-boun
Know Nothings would not be removed, o
even abated, If they were only bound t
fulGlthe obligations they voluntarily as
sumo by making an affirmation, instead
taking an oath.
Another objection vehemently urged q
gainst the Know Nothings is, that the or
der constitutes combination Of person
united for the express purpose of per'e
cutting the Roman Catholics on account o
their religious creed, and thus, unconsitu
tionally attempting to control the rights O
conscience. Everywhere the changes ar
rang upon this fallacions accusation, with
out reason or Justice. Indeed, according
to the definition ofthc rights Of conscienc
with which Archbishop Hughes has ia
vored us, the thing is impossible to Protes
tants Conscience he says has nothing L
do with overt acts, or moral conduct. Fo
these tho citizen or subject is responsible
to the laws; and il the laws make the read
ing Of tho Bible, the preaching of the gos
pei by Protestant sectS, or any other nc
contrary to the religion of the country
crime, the punishment OF such crime by th
supreme power is no violation of the right
OF conscience, and hence the imprisor
menl Of the Madiai, and theirultimate bar
ishment from their country, by tho Duk
Of Tuscany for being found with Bib
in their possession. was only the eXorci'
Of q right which oil governments posses
and no subject Of just complaint. Coz
science, he alleges, only applies to man
secret thoughts. and these no governme
can restrain. He ought to have exceptc
the governments where the Romish hera
chy dictate the laws, for their confession
priest, even Of the most secret thought
is enjoined, and a neglect to comply wi
the requirement subjects the delinquent
suspicion of heresy, and authorizes arr,
and investigation.
We ask, them, whether Tie Know-No
ings have ever minated an intention to
tcrfere with individual private opinion
tbcsubJect of religion? If not, they hr
never interfered with the rights OF. CO
science, even according to the showing
cross John himself, who authorit;vcly CO
trolls, in concurrence with the bishops
the other diocesses Of tho country.the "a
OF tho Roman Catholic population Of
United States.
But we do not subscribe to the ar,
l. L. 80. :.