The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1855-04-21

tnlS-lue huOW NOtnlukS.5 lucy are Sdlu 10
have contrived their disguise with so much in
genuity, that one who is not a novitiate cannot
deny knowledge of their ceremonies and prin-
ciples. without implying his communion and
membership with them. Nevertheless, must
reply to the Senator Fl ON Illinois, [Mr. DoUG-
LAS, who charges me, among others, with such
an utilization, that have no knowledge of that
body ofmen, other than what is afforded me by
the publications of the day. Thus informed, L I'M
derstand the Know Nothings to be secret So
ciety or order, consisting Of two or three grades
collcagued and mutually sworn to elect indi-
uals OF their own Order, or at least persons
maintaining the principles which that Order
entertains, to all Offices of trust and profit in
the United States. Those principles l under
stand to be, in general, the same which, before
the organization of the Know Nothings passed
under the name of Native Americanism 1,
sir, have no connection with the Order am
under no responsibility for its doings and
have lot the least sympathy with its principles
or sentiments. belong to one voluntary AS
ISOLATION of men, which has to do with spiritu-
al affairs. 1t is the Christian Church-that
branch of it, all imperfect though think it is,
which, according to my notions, most nearly
retains, in their purity, the instructions of the
Gospel. That Association is an open one, which
performs all its rites and gives instructions
with publicity, and invites every man,
| ,
to come in and partake of the privileges
with which He invested it., and of the blessings
which He promises. belong to a temporal So
ciety of men. and that is the political party
which, according to my notions, embodies most
fully and most truly, although, confess, as in
the other case, very inadequately, the princi-
pies of the Declaration of independence and
of the Constitution of the United States. This
Association also of which have last spoken,
&C. N All fron
Quoted in the broad daylight, and it invites all
citizens and all men who become subjects of
the power Of this Government of whatever
cline or race or color they may be. to enter
into its ranks, to participate in its labors. and
to cooperate in maintaining good government
and in advancing the cause of Human Nature.
These two Associations, the one spiritual and
the other temporal, are the only voluntary As
sociations to which now belong, or ever have
belonged since became man and, unless |
am bereft of reason, they are the only Associa-
lions of men 10 which l shall ever suffer myself
to belong. Secret socities, sir Before l would
place my right hand between the hands of 9TH
er men, in secret Lodge, Order, Glass, or
Council. and, bending my knee before them
enter into combination with them for any OBJ
ject, personal or political. good or bad. would
pray to God, that that hand and that knee
might be paralized and that might become
all OUJcCb vi tUc pity duO CScu VI tuC mOChcIy
of my fellow men. Swear, sir |, man, an
American citizen, a Christian, swear to submit
myselfto the guidance and direction of other
men, surrendering my own judgment to their
| judgments, and my own conscience to their
keeping! No. no, sir. / know quite well the
falibility of my own judgment, and my liabili-
ty to fall into error and temptation. But my
life has been spent in breaking the bonds of
the slavery of other men. [ therefore know
too we'll the danger of coniding power to ire
sponsible hands, to make myselfa willing slave.
Prescribe man, sir because he was not born
in the same town, or county, or State, or coun-
try, in which was born! Why, sir, do most
earnestly and most affectionately advise all
persons hereafter to be born, that they be born
in the United States, and, if they can without
Inconvenience, to be born in the State of New
York, and thus avoid great deal of trouble
for themselves and for Others Laughter.
Moreover, do most affectionately enjoin upon
| all such persons as are hereafter to be born,
that they be born of fathers and of mothers, of
grandfathers and grandmothers of pure Ameri-
can blood. Still more, sir, do atfcctiOnately
enjoin upon all who shall thus have the wisdom
to come into existence on this side Of the At
lantic, and Of such pure and untainted ances-
try to be either born in the Protestant faith.
or to he converted as speedily as possible to
that good and true Protestant Church, within
L
More than that sir. Speaking from full
knowledge and conviction of the serious in
conveniences which absolute and eternal slave
ry entails upon Man and upon races of men, l
do earnestly strenuously, and afectiOnately
conjure all people everywhere, who are hereaf-
ter to be born, to be born white. Laughter.
Thus, being born in this free and happy coun-
try, and being born white. they will be born
| Free But, Mr.. President this is the length, and
this is the breadth of my connection with the
new and mysterious Order of Patriots. And.
if there shall hereafter come among us persons
who, because from ignorance they may not be
able to profit by my advice and counsel, shall
be born in foreign lands or, even if there shall
be any who, in despite of my counsel, shall per-
sist in being Roman Catholics. or Jews, or Turks
or Chinese or if there shall be others, who,
disregarding my persuasion, shall insist upon
coming into the world with blackened faces
them, is, that have done my duty, and shall
not add feathers weight to the disabilities
which they will incur 10y their presumption and
perverscness. [Laughter.]
Sir, my honorable friend from Connecticut
[Mr. GILErrE] has thought this was good &C.
casion to invite us to consider the question OF
abolishing Slavery In the District of Columbia,
and has hereby incurred some censure. He
certainly had warrant in the latitude which
subject is not very germane to the question be-
fore us. / have no hesitation to disclose Ey
fanatcism in that direction. Five years ago,
proposed in the Congress of the United States:
the emancipation of all the slaves in the Dis.
trict Of Columbia. with the consent of its citi-
zens. to be expressed through the customary
forms Of a popular election, and with full COM
pensatiOn, to be paid out of the public Treasu-
ry, to the individuals who should suffer dam
age in their fortunes by so great an act of
National humanity and Justice. I am ready to
20 with my honorable friend now. 1 shall be
ready to go the same length tO-morrow-next
year-always. This is enough trust on that
subject
l and others here, sir, are denounced as Alb
olitionists, in broader sense, and therefore as
traitors. have no hesitation in conessing the
whole truth on that point. believe that do
not know human being who maintains or sup
poses that the government of the United States
has lawful authority or right to abolish Slave
ry in the States OF this Union. Certainly in my
own opinion, that Government has no such pow
er or right. But, sir, am man. none the less
because am citizen and a Senator of the
United States. And. although have no pow
er to exercise in slaveholding State. l freely
say, that if l were member of such commu-
nifty, should recommend to and urge upon my
fellOw-citiZens there, with patience which could
endure until the necessary reform could safely
be obtained, some measure of Emancipation,
immediate or prospective, with compensation
for damages, through the action of the State
Legislature, upon the ascertained consent of
the people. add, further, to meet the require
ments of those who suppose that proposition
of gradual EmanciDatOn to the SlayehOldinp