The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-07-20
To the Hon. CAVE JOHNSON.


| TO the Hon. CAVE JOHNSON.
NASHVILLE, July H. 1855.
| MEssRs w. b. CHERRY AND | received yours
Of the lt of July and before that time bad received many
Others of similar character other counties formerly
represented by in Congress The position occupy in
duced believe that the public interests would te best
promoted by abstainng much possible, from inter
ference with the party contests Of the day and that
count omitted the vindcation of my principles and
my consistency from the malicious and wicked mis-
representations which they have been subjected by
of knaysh and unprncpled political hucksters who
gardess of honor honesty and truth to be employed
for other purpose than to give additional strength to
the knownohng party by every species of deception and
fraud II is due myself, as well my friends, that
such fraudulent Misrepresentation of my conduct should
be exposed.
In reply to your first inquiry state that had
any connexion with the knownothng party, the Amer
lean party they choose call it now either directly
Indirectly aud that the reports circulated in your county
unblushing fasehoods doubt intended TO deceive
and impose upon my former supporters and friends
You further ask my opinions of that party and its
principles
The great object to be attained by the know nothngs
is undoubtedly the overthrow of the democratic party
whereby they may get the offices of the country be d
vded out among their partisans This be
pshed by union of the whig party with the disappointed
oice-seeking democrats and the fanatics of the North,
who have been long clanorng for what they call re-
forms in the religious social and political condition of the
country Without some such combination the zeal
in the opposition ranks could scarcely hone for
their present leaders, after the election Of President
Pierce and after many signal defeats of their principles
when sustained and supported by such distinguished cham
pons Clay and Webster; and hence whig principles,
which they had ahored with much zeal and ability for
the quarter of century establish had to be abandoned
and the of whig which they proudly wore SO
long, cast aside and their old political associates
well the democratic party, charged with corruption 1t
is FOR defend the wing party from such charge,
coming from such quarter. The democratic party needs
no defence against such vile ISLANDERS. Their measures
have been sanctioned and adopted by the people and
now the settled policy of the country, whilst the virtue
aud patriotism Of its leaders win be cherished and
membered with gratitude by every true American
1 The new party was to be composed of purer better
men, disinterested patriots, dsdaning Office whose sole
object to be the public veal Are the same ndivd-
uas who belonged to the old parties pure and pa
otc for their denunciaon of their old associates
rupt or trustworthy for the abandonment of their
1 former names and the assumption OF new one? You
have only look at their candidates for office from the
highest the lowest in your own State TO enable you to
decide whether these declarations have been fulfilled and
whether they are worthy of public confidence under
their new name Of know-nothngs than under the old
name of democrat or wing.
You cannot but have observed that secrecy secured by
the solemn obligations of OATH imposed upon each
member joining their lodges, and that secret agentsnany
of them no doubt under paywere employed in different
sections of the Union for the organization of lodges
upon such principles night suit each section neigh
borhood or every individual approached BY them BY
these conrvances under The control astute
ming and unprncped agents many honest and good ct-
zens have been induced unite with them who will doubt
less abandon them their objects clearly de-
veIoped BY why this secrecy imposed upon its members
dahl tntan nd fnr Tho
the country the publicity given to their principles
the greater would the chance for their adoption by the
people Honesty Of purpose truth, integrity need not the
protection Of midnight concaves secret lodges or oath
bound supporters 1t is only where nefarous projects
on hand fraudulent purposes to be accomplished
that the darkness night selected for their consulta-
tons The victim of these deceptive and fraudulent prac
tees is bound to disregard all social connexions the
sacred family ties his duty to his country and give
his support to members Of this order which may be
under the control Of some secret caba in distant cities of
whose principles character and objects he know but
little do how reemen honest men, patriots,
can submit obligations Of such character not less de-
grading in my Judgment than the oahs required of the
Jesus by the Catholic Church two three centuries back
The great questions which have heretofore divided par
ties and will continue to do whilst the government con-
tinusthe rights of the States the finances the currency
protective tariffs banks and such questions of domestic
policy well foreign policyseem to have been
overlooked new anu we are 10 guess Nv
their course upon them from their former connexon with
the wing or democratic party and in lieu of them hue
and cry got up against foreigners Roman Catholics and
the naturalization laws.
Foreigners and Catholics not 10 hold Office in this
country This would be direct violation of the const-
tuition of the United States well this State which in
tended place every citizen upon footing of equality,
allowing him think and speak he pleased upon po-
tica as well religious subjects and declaring that
religious should be required for Office Such intoer
ance contrary too the genius and spirit Of in
situations which designed guard against tyranny
end oppression every sort and religious free
dom any and every attack Our policy has been,
and our policy viii be- to allow connexon be-
tween religion and politics intolerance anncism, and
persecution have been the constant attendants Of such
connection wherever it has been allowed beneficial to
neither and degrading both Disanchse Roman Caho-
lies and how long will it be before other sect will
share the same fate from the malgnity Of party spirit
Tolerate spirit of persecution and can tell where
or when it will end. This cowardly crusade against the
Catholics weak and unpopular sect, is made by buck
steng politicians who have particular respect
erence for religion any kind any further than il be
made subservent in elections and who only three years
ago urged you against Cen Pierce because he
sided a State whose constitution prohibited Catholics
from holding office though the restriction had been adopt
ed before he born.
|. They urge too that Roman Catholics and foreigners
shall be restricted in their right of voting well pro-
bb;ted from holding office. which is another effort