Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1855-07-26
Rev. L. Garret on Know Nothinsism

! IL IGGteI NIltlOu III ouC uuO Az
: estant spirit by Rev. L. GarTet, a
:. able Methodist divine, of Mississippi
, , on know-nothingism. Mr.. Garret wa
long and favorably known in Middl
, Tennessee, where he resided for man,
years. He has not turned politician
but in words of prsscient power
points his countrymen to the religion
: intolerance of know-nothingism, a
the rock whereon we may be ship
wrecked, and all We hold sacred for
ever lost
t VERNON, Miss, May 8, 1855.
To E. Barksdale, Esq:
! DEAR SIR-Your kind letter of the
4th inst, is received. Although Sc
questered from a busy world, and
standing'as upon the verge of life
have read much and thought much on
the signspof the times-and the fear
| full omens of disaster to civil and re-
Igious freedom and equal rights by a
cunningly devised secret political In
trigue, for such l esteem the novel or
ganization of know-nothingism.
Upon a careful analysis, | Judge
that know-nothingism, or the Order of
the Stars and Stripes, contains the fol-
lowing revolving features:
lst. 1t prasumes to set up religious
tests in opposition to the Constitu-
ton of the United States.
I'd. tits adverse to the known SEN
timents and principles of the Father
of his Country, and the patriots of the
Revolution, as it regards freedom and
equal rights.
Sd. 1t savors Of secret political In
trigue-fraught with mischief being
insidious, sly, circumventive.
4th. It coalesces or afiiliates with
aboiiionism and other isms, and is in-
imical and dangerous to the institu-
tons 2and rights of the Southern
States. This hydra-monster resorts
to conceaiment, and seeks to gain ad-
vantage. under false pretences. 1t
ayailS itself of the odious feature of
corrupt human nature, to-wit: religious
bigotry, intolerant prescription, and
Imurderous persecution.
This ugly feature in degenerate hu-
man nature began to be developed at
an early period in the worlds history.
Abel was the first victim of its prey,
and Cain the first inquisitor OF execu-
toner. 1t seems, too, that Cain was
the 'first-nothing,' for when he was
asked-@Where is Abel, thy brothes?"
he answered-"I know not. Alas
for poor human nature!
To adduce evidence of the ravages
of the fell spirit of religious bigotry
and intolerance, and the secret ma
chinations of political demagogues in
concert with it, would be to write vol
umes, and portray human nature in
It's most hideous forms.
7 witnessed the mistaken zeal OF
abolitionists for half century in the
Methodist Church-and its blind and
relentless strife, until it divided the
Church and severed the sacred bonds
of christian union and fellowship.
But this mischievous ism was pret-
ty much confined to the church Oh
churches-it had not, until recently
been strengthened by an alliance with
political demagogues, who can borrow
''the livery of heaven to serve the
devil in"
The Ministers of religion are but
men, and have rights and interests III
common with other men. They have
a right to their political, as well as re
lHgious views. But they have then
appropriate work-to become noisy
politicians, and especially to be iden
tilted with a secret political organiza
: ton. is to defile their garments, ant
, forfeit the confidence Of the church
Although devoted to the christian
ministry for sixty years, have no
been Indifferent TO, or unobservent o
passing events-of men and meas
ures, | have witnessed the gather
ing storm, which seemed to augu'
J ruin to our happy Union and free IN
stitutions-but | view this secret or
ganization now in progress, the mos
mischieyous and dangerous device 0
ALL. Very respectfully,
L. GARRET.
~ D 0nion