Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-02-14
New YoRK, Feb. |, 1855.

- -, Esq,
DEAR SIR Il have just received your letter OF
the S0th ut, stating that "the et0rt Is now being
made by MIR. Wise, in all his harangues before
the people. to create the impression that the know
Nothing OrLe. is no other than an anti-slavery
party in disguise" and asking my views on the
subject | hasten to reply, although thereby de-
priye myself of the opportunity to discuss this uu
warranted aspersion Of great and patriotic move
ment as fully as the occasion demands.
From an early and intimate association with the
American party can safely pr1a1aace the charge
of Abslitionsm against that Organization In the
North 10 be utterly and entirely false do not
know what may have been said by the Rev. MI
Clarke, of Boston, in the sermon alluded TO. nor
do know whether he is recognized as member;
but am well aware that political Ab1Il!lonIsls,
especially those pulpit politicians who, unmiadIul
of Christ's rebuke to those who asked, master,
is it lawful that we give tribute unto Caesar or
not 2" degrade their holy calling by mlnglng IN
party strife, have attached themselves IN some IN
stances 10 the American party as they nave 10 the
Democratic or Wing parties, 10 secure their own
unhallowed purposes. That our Organization IL
self, however, is pare. both IN PrncipIe anu prac
tice, from any such hereSy to the Constitution and
Union. proudly and deiantly assert The men
who have adopted the Farewell Address OF Ge0rge
washington as tnelT pJ'lttCdl 'VAS OO"N, S"" wv
or Do traitors to their country nor to any portion OF
it.
need scarcely call your attention to the fact
that the most prominent Abolition newspapers in
this State, such as the Albany JJITRGl aud \. #.
Tribune. are arrayed in deadly hostility to the 81
called Order of Knaw Nothings, aud that the i'm
possibility of using the Order to promote the po-
iitical views of their .uayauS .4p0LiO, William II.
Seward, has given raise to spurious Orgaaizl'
lion, which, though regarded by us as ''srnal
potato" affair. created for time, among our friends
abroad, serious apprehensions of split In New
York. II Mr. Seward is beaten IN the Senatorial
contest next week, his defeat will he owing to the
efforts of the Order. and venture to predict that
If any member of the New York Legislature. who
has been hitherto affiliated with the American
movement, votes for WIN. II. Seward, he wouIi
hereafter and forever be spufned aud repudaied by
the Organization.
In conclusion, have no words to express my
detestatoh of the political trckery which attempts
to prejudice great political cause for base and
selfish purposes aud beseech my brethren of the
South to discredit the false aud sanderous report
and to spurn the denagogueS who originate or give
currency to it. Your American brothers of the
North offer their hand, in fraterna regard for the
common welfare of our whole cOGHtry-they de-
mand of you no sacrifices, and they wish to in
fringe none Of your rghts--lhey desire to bury in
oblivion the slave question with the memory OF all
the heart burnngs it has occasioned. and to leave
1t where the Constitution leaves it-~and they
promise sacreIly to regard the rights of the States
They do ask. however, your earnest CO operation
in their labors aud sacrifices to preserve our dear
ly bought institutions from the dangers of foreign
suppression, and domestic treachery, So that our
linked arms may bind lad!sSolably our sacred u
mimi
You are at liberty to make what use YOU think
proper of this hurried opiStIe.
am, with respect, very truly yours,
JNO. w. BRYCE.