Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1855-08-29

Such l believe to have been its origin. though
am equally well satisfied that much person
al responsibility and honest, though misdirec-
ted, sentiment has been infused In it since.
No matter, however, how or where it began,
the disease broke out with great yirulence In
this city in the spring of 1854. Hundreds
and thousands of sturdy Wings, who had been
fighting open Americansm all their lives, and
as many fierce Democrats, rushed into these
lodges-were initiated by some mock ceremo-
ny, and swore that they would never vote or
assist or aid members of one Christian denom-
ination-that they would prescribe every nat
uralized citizen; swore. too, though nomieal
Wings or Democrats, that they would break
faith with ancient friends and abide by the
decisions of secret lodges swore further to
code of disingenuousness which required them
to deny their membership. Its mystery made
it attractive and seemed to make it safe. Many
man who was ashamed publicly to preach
intolerance and prescription. could do 1T safely
in a secret council room. This system OF de-
NAL and equivocation-a cardinal principle of
Know Nothingism- lied to some instances of
personal degradation in this city which do
not like to think Of.
1t was not long after this election when the
State Committee met for the first time in this
city. l am confident in the belief that at that
time this secret party had no considerable
foothold in our Committee. / have no idea
of recapitulating the acts or counsels of the
Committee then or thereafter. You will do
me the justice TO say, that from first to last,
in every form and guise, l opposed all affinity
to this new party, and / am glad to do you
the justice, that you were equally decided and
resolute on the same side. We worked to-
gether most harmoniously. Then, too, it was,
tina. the question of our duty to George Darsie
was considered and discussed, and then we
were, or seemed to be, unanimous, that it was
a matter of duty and honor TO support him.
The fact is now confessed, regret to say,
that some of our Committee, thus pledged in
fairness and honor, recognizing the superior
obligation of Know Nothing oath. voted for
Mr. Mott, the Democratic candidate, belicv-
ing him to belong to the order. The same
subject of discussion arose at our meeting at
Pittsburg, with the same apparent result,
though have no doubt the scheme of sacrifi-
cling Mr. Darsie was in the meantime ma.ured
It certainly was most Systematically perfected,
and thus one of the ablest and most upright
public men in the Commonwealth, who, in
spite of his nativity and a few years Of infancy
in Protestant Scotland had been Pennsyl-
vania legislator for nearly fifteen years, was
sacrificed at the bidding Of i secret oath h-bound
association, composed, to large extent, of
individuals who openly claimed communion
with the party they betrayed s.
How little the State Committee could do to
avert this discredit. you very well know. The
secret influence was around them, and upon
them, and within them, and those who, like
myself and others, were open and candid in
their condemnation of this secret action and
organization, were not fairly met or answered.
The secret order was satisfied with rapid re-
cruiting Their oaths prevented discussion
or fair play. 1t was confidently alleged and
assumed that Mr.. Pollock himself joined the
order From his own lips have it that, at
the time of his election, he was not member
of any party whose organization required him
to prescribe any portion of his fellow-citizens.
and relying on that assurance, I continued
my exertions, and voted for him. I voted
for the Wing ticket at the fall election. Iyo-
tanned the Wing nomination, though confess
I was perplexed by many rumors that he, too,
had joined the order, and taken the requisite
oaths could not persuade myself that a
man at his time of life. who had pronounced
so many elaborate discourses in favor of reli-
gious toleration, and who venerated with a
faith so sincere and protesting. the name oi
VIM. Penn-the friend and favorite of Eng
lands Roman Catholic KingII could not
persuade myself that he had abjured the prin-
ciples of his education, and sworn to this new
allegiance Had / lived in the first Congress
sional District, should no doubt have voted
for Mr. Morris, for there would have needed
much more than rumor to convince me that
he, the ancient antagonist of Native Ameri.