Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1855-05-31
The Hon. A II. Stephens. of Georgia
ON the Know Nothing ConspiIators.

This gentleman, who, in the day of its
pride and vigOr, was one of the ablest men in
the ranks of the old Whig party, and has
for many years been looked upon as one of
the most talented and eloquent members Of
the national Congress, wherein he served for
long time with distinguished honor, has
lately written letter to his constituents, in
which he declines being again candidate for
Congress, and in which he takes occasion to
express himself in regard to the dark Ian
terms and their aims, in the following bold
and fearless terms Of condemnation. He
says:
In my opinion, no man is fit to represent
= free people who has any private or secret
objects or aim that he does not openly avow,
4 or who is not ready and willing at all times,
when required or asked, candidly and truth
fully to proclaim to the assembled multitude
not only his principles, but his views and SEN
1Inee'fr al - {Aei ~ sse - !.
lEas on this basis that representative govern
ment was founded, and on this alone can it be
maintained in purity and safety. And if any
secret party shall ever be so far successful in
this country as to bring the government in all
its Departments and functions under the bane-
ful influence of its control and power, politi-
cal ruin will inevitably ensue. No truth in
politics can be more easily and firmly estab-
lished, either by reason or from history, upon
principle or authority, than this. These are
my opinions, candidly expressed.
- But have been anticipating somewhat
/ was on the preliminary question-that is,
the secresy which lies at the foundation Of
the party-that atmosphere of darkness in
which sit lives, and moves, and has its being y
and without which, probably, it could not
exist do not, however, intend to stop with
that / will go further, and give now my
opinions upon those questions which are said
to be within the range of its secret objects and
aims. The principles, as published, Cor those
principles which are attributed to the order,
though no BODY, as an organized party, avow
fhem) have. as understand them, two lead
ing ideas and two only. These are, pro-
scription by an exclusion from Office of all
Catholics As class, and prescription Of all
persons of foreign birth As a class-the latter
to be accomplished not only Ivy an exclusion
from Office of all foreigners who are now citi-
zsas by naturalization, but to he more effect
nally carried ont by an abrogation of the nat
,1ralization law for the future, or such an
amendment as would he virtually tantamount
to it. These, as we are told, are the great
ostensible objects for all this machinery
these oaths, pledges, secret signs, equivoca-
cations, aenials, and what not. And what
have to say Of them is that if these, in deed
and in truth, be the principles thus attempted
to lie carried out, then | am opposed to both
of them, openly and unqualifiedly.
But to pass to the other view of these prin-
eiples--that is, the consideration of them as
questions of public policy. With me they
both stand in no better light in this aspect
than they do IN the other The first assumes
temporal jurisdiction in foro oor,scientie to
which / am quite as much opposed as am
to the spiritual powers controlling the tempo
ral One is as bad as the other-both are
bad. | am utterly opposed to mingling reli-
gion with politics in any way whatever; and
especially am | opposed to making it test il
qualifications for civil office Religion ia
matter between man and his Creator, with
which governments should have nothing tC
do. In this country, the constitution guaran-
ties to every citizen the right to entertain
whatever creed he pleases, or no creed at all
il he is so inclined, and no other man has
right TO pry into his conscience to inquir,
what he believes, OF what he does not believe
As citizen and as member of society, h
Is to be judged BY his acts, not by his creed
A Catholic therefore, in our country and il
all countries, ought, as all other citizens t.
be permitted tostand or fall in public estima
tion upon his own individual merits. "EverN
tub should stand upon its own bottom"