The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-05-10

me now 10 enter nv earnest and solemn protest
against the wicked and ungodly assumptions
of the Order of Know NOthings. L would extend
n helping hand and cordial welcome to all who
wish to find an asylum from oppression in our
country-eleyate them to the dignity of citizens
as early as our laws will permit; and to the
Catholic would eheerfully give all the political
privileges that claim for myself
1t is claimed by some that we have to deal
with existing institutions as we find them; that
Anti-Siayery men should establish the Order of
Know Something's, to counteract the influence
Of the Know Noihings. 1t is well here to state
that this has already proved failure. The
Order of Know Something's, with platform of
good principles, when compared with Know
Nothingism,) was established in several places
In this county. The Know Nothings, ready for
anything, tumbled into it like sheep after bell
wether, TO control it. They succeeded, and the
latter is now a mere TODD or ally of the Know
Nothing party. All attempts, by Independent
Democrats or Republicans TO get into the
Know Nothing Order, to control it, or to man
age it by counteracting Influences, in secret,
must prove abortive, and can only result in en-
barrassment.
Repubhcanism needs no secret conclaves, or
allies, To promote its principles. Its only sure
reliance is in the intelligence, virtue. and pa
iriotism, of the people. Not only must we re-
padiate this Know Nothing party on the
grounds of its wrongs, but We regard it as
being entirely inadequate to our present wants.
The liquor traffic stalks abroad in our county
and State, unabashed unrebuked, and I'M
punished. Our people groan under excessive
taxation. Capital is driven from our State.
There is a general arrangement of our financial
affairs. The course of justice is constantly
obstructed by outrageous decisions of drunken
or dishonest judges, or from some defect in
legislation. The clanking of the chains of
Slavery is heard upon our SOIL and threatens
the personal liberty of our citizens. On all
these vital and important questions this Know
Nothing party has nothing TO say. The old
Democratic party cannot be relied on or looked
TO for any reforms. 1t has by its legislation
brought upon us these very grievances which
We ask to redress. IL offers no signs of repent
ance; and while it processes opposition to
Know Nothingism the grounds of secresy,
1t conniyes at and encourages the secret society
called Sag Aictts.
There remains but one practicable plan TO
promote the pressing interests of tie people,
and save the Republican party from the dis
grace OF being subverted and defeated by the
intrusion of this damHa5ie heresy, Know Moth
ingism and that is, for every true Republican
t. take immediate stand in favor of the
principles of the Independent Democracy, as
announced in the Pittsburgh Platform, and as
adopted at our county convention last summer.
Now is the time 10 commence. Let all who
are IN favor of our Republican movement repcl
the charge that we are Know Nothings, or
endorse their policy. Urge the necessity of
choosing men to the next Legislature who are
known TO cherish the principles set forth in our
platform, and whose antecedentS arc sufficient
guaranty that they devoted TO them. Go
10 the primary meetings preparatory to our
county convention, and insist that good and
true Republicans shall he sent To the county
convention, instead OF Know Nothngs. This
done, no either party will have the presumption
10 bring out candidates who are not true to the
progressive principles of Republicanism.
Iloping that a regard for our national honor
the argent demands of State legislation, the
love OF country, will prompt you TO vigilant ac-
ton, remain your obedient servant,
T.. NJ. CoLESToCK.
D .