The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1855-07-06
RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE.


than this2
RELIGIOUS fATeLERAECE.
One ofthe usual tricks rrsorted to by the members
of the Know Nothing order 10 deny that proscrp-
ton for religious faith is part of their principles.
They indeed confess that few of the ultra leaders
OF the organization may act npon such basis, but at
the time they most solemny aSseverate that
no such rule Of conduct is laid down in the order IL
self. The action or the Philadelphia National Coun-
ell, however, shows that Religious intolerance is
primary doctrine OF the order the exclusion of the
Louisiana delegation from the body demon
strates that actual hostility to Roman Catholics is
still one OF the fundamental principles OF KnowNo-
thngisru One fact should not be forgotten that the
order in Louisiana has arrayed itself in hosttl
ty to any Religious denomination. It is based uPoa
the old Native American patty, with The secret rrn-
cip|es attarhrd. Some Of its most prominent and
tive members are Catholics; and of their dele
gates to the National Conncl Mr.. Gayarre, widely
known as the anhor OF the s'History of Louisiana"
is among the number The committee credentials
objected to receiving the Louisiana delegation
count OF their liberation of the Catholic faith, al
though the delegation gave the strongest possible
surances that although they would not join in the
prescription of any class Of men account of their
religious sentiments, they dill recognise tie an
Mortg of tic Pope, or Of any otfer spiritual nnctioa
arg, interfere any rag, 70 any erfr"t ae the
performance of ttejr cirH duties. These assurances,
however, were not considered satisfactory ; and the
question of their admission deliberately argued
in Convention. The great body of the members
from the Southern States sustained the Louisiana del
egation, and urged the necessity Of maintaining the
principles of religious freedom 10 their fullest ex-
tent.
Mr. Rayner, OF North Carolina the only prominent
Southern member who took tie opposition ground,
insisted that opposition Catholicism, inconsis
tent with the Republican institutions, the uery
corner-s,oae Of tie Kaow-NofhiRg morement: and
that any proceeding which should ignore be ncon-
sistent with this position, would be fatal TO the Or
der In this he was sustained by decided majority
of the members from the Northern States 1t
suggested, but not formally proposed, that as Mr.
Gayare the only Catholic in the delegation, the
other members might be permitted to take their seats
with the understanding that they would not at
tempt 10 change the ritual Of the Order this sub
ject. But they unanimously refused 10 come into
the Convention any terms which should exclude
their colleague in consequence Of his religious opn
ions. The result was, that the Louisiana delegation
was crciaeieH.'
When the report of this open attack upon religious
liberation reached New Orleans, it was looked upon
as scarcely possible. The Yrao Orleaas Ba2leiiu,
stauuch Know Nothing organ, the receipt OF the
telegraph report said thag some excitement was Gre
aed in this city, by the circulation of report Of the
exclusion ofthe Catholic delegations II adds, shat
the report must be tabr'c4tioa, for cannot be-
lieve that National Convention, composed OF able,
enlightened and patriotic men, would completely
sfulhfy ITSELF hopelessly, Jegoud The poeer Of redemp
hon as make retgious opiaioasa test Of polit
zeal feloa@ship. 1t be, and shall utterly
refuse to place the least credit in the rumor till
have the most unquesonable evidence Of the fact
But the report was not a fabrication 1t passed
into rpality-a reality verified by nearly wo-third
vote OF the Convention. And yet, when the charge
is made that religious intolerance is of the prln-
cpal features Of the Know Nothing crusade, it in
dgnantly denied. The action of the Grand Council,
however, settles the question definitely, and hereai-
ter when told that il is not the intention OF
Know-Nothing organizations TO legislate upon the
question Of religious belief the answer will be, why
then did the Grand Council make national issue np-
on the religious belief Of its members? II this not
to be followed by further and stringent action,
the fucipient steps would not have been taken. The
men who woald deliberately exclude delegates from
convention for other reason than difference in
religious faith are prepared TO egislate upon the
matter when they have the power 10 effect
that end.
What fruits viii follow such a thus eo-
quenlIy and truhfly pictured by the able and pious
Judge LonSstreet, President of the Mississippi Uni
versity. Ia his words, it is smo>t desperate and
dangerous agtation-churches rending asunder-paS-
and ocks at losing all con-
idence in each other-saints and sinners in close en-
bracr-preachers OF the church getting but half
congregations and half suppor-one looking on ap-
provngly, while another is abused-teachers totter-
ins-their pupils in midnight cliquesfrendship sew
ering-rage taking the place OF love-father against
brother against brother. These things now are
and they prolcam, trumpet-tongued, what coming,
if tie monster be rot crushed at And all for
what? In honest truth, TO get in the oufs, and get
out the ms. This is the object ofthe Order. Well,
ii take It's course till resumes her seat.
-Phladelplia Argns.
Nor IN TnE BILLs.-We are informed that
Gov. johnson introduced feature INTO the de-
bate at Springfield not put down in the pro-