The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-08-19

August 8 1900 |
GEsrLEMES Your communication Of the 80 inst inviting
10 attend meeting OF those citizens Of South Carolina
who believe that State rights outhen rights and tho bcr
ties Of the people endangered BY the existence and pro-
gres Of the know nothing order and in the event Of my
inability to attend requesting such expression Of my views
may think proper 10 communicate has been received
Whilst the state my health will not allow to be with
you the to which you have invited me- fear in
the few remarks which shall submit cannot do justice 10
the subjects which yen wish my opinion 10 The tes-
old Of these remarks give it my belief tmt the Jaldg
p and uubgoted provisions u our constitution cannot be
asacd with success by the daggerpower OF secret and r.
responsible associations.
To illustrate what shall say hereafter, viii quote from
memory sentenced Washington Irving Ourancestors not
only proclaimed but paosed hardy morality that feared
They trusted to the courage and power otrnth
in their antproscrptiye constitutions and opinions They
willing to trust their destines the arena Of fair
and open TRIAL They thought they could trust the OF
religion so far as there should be political jurisdiction
over it, to the following clause OF federal constitution
Congress shall make no law respecting establishment
of religion prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or
abrdgbg the freedom Of speech the press the right
the people pcaeeab to assemble and petition the govern
ment for redress Of grievances"
And by the same constitution, Congress ntrusted
with the power Of establishing uniform rule of naturaiza
ton Now, | understand it, the know nothing organi2a
ton IL make upon both these provisions in their true
spirit suppose their aim will not be avowed to establish
religion exclude foreign immigration, but under the
assumption purity and American patriotism,
Is the purpose order take voluntary jurisdiction
these subectha is, to put into Office themselves under
the Of Protestant piey and American devoton and
it they should succeed their designs BY the influence OF
these heterogeneous and irresponsible alliances they viii
have substituted their conventional obligations for the con
stituion Of the confederacy
believe have left out another Of their ayowalsa
purpose the Union they undertand
should be preserved.
acknowledge no pety that Is proscriptive recognise
patriotism that is uncivized and exclusive, and want
Union that not under the control OF an operative consu-
ton The Declaration of independence and the federal and
State constitutions the United States made under
auspices and influences rebuke the bgoed and concced
spirit that would invade them in the nineteenth century
when the parts of the earth the differ
ent provinces OF the same empire were formerly.
regard Declaration Of independence and the federal
constitution the great and enduring pillars Of aai
erected in this New World TO liberation altar that
to Jews Catholics to ProtestantF
only but to united aburs Of all who had sought here
refuge from transatlantic domination While protestants
may have the first and largest share in the work Of
American independence Others of whatever egious educa
ton scarcely behind them in zeal and activity for the
slowed cause Even the jew Idle spectator of its
Advancement remember to have heard sated-indeed
ample evidence of the fact several occasions before
lille upon the benchtat young Salvador the frs person
who publicly read the Declaration of Independence in our
9C district He fell shortly afterwards battling for Amer
freedom. And who was this Salvador? gallant ard
dashng young jew
But pertinent inquiry, in the consideration of this que
ton relates The origin Of know-nothngsm Where did
originated and why II certainly not indigenous at the
South There such pieexstng virtues. IL was
and foreign necessities, whether social political
Ii was no more southern in its inception than il its de-
yeopm ent. The North its birth place. 1t arose, pr
mariy antidote to evils which there brought
by abuse Of the naturalization laws The introduce
ton Of foreigners permitted in disregard of the several
constitutional requirements to three years notice, five
years residence, &C. Mischief is resulting from the
practice. But il is their fault. They have mingled the
waters the 0ronte and the Tber and it theirs drink
B.r al n ol, l,,, n;i.l
proper Observance Of the law has had the effect of bringing
amongst different class of foreign population from that
the Nortlone, at any rate Of which do not
plain.
Another reflection here suggests tsef Where the
sity any such interference with the elective franchise
proposed By the knownothngs when the State govern
have, after all, penary control of the whole mat
ter Not only have they this control in regard to the priv
ege voting but the power exists in them to deter
mine who shall enjoy the rights of inheritance within their
borders Ii really apprchonve that foreign mmigra
ton about to endanger in either of these respects
in any Other the would surely be seek remedial
action through the State governments themselves To de-
mand it elsewhere would be to coEtemn the rights Of the
| States
shall regard know nohingism, introduced at the South
but another Trojan horse brought in by enemies and
be accepted only BY the shallow and nconderate Like that
horse heraded as an object to call forth praises
and enlist adherence, when is really but the daring
straagcm Of those who not for welfare and respect
rights My conviction that the doctrines
encies OF are net TO such
cgnor adopt institutions from choice with the
est resolution of rendering implicit obedience to the laws
have proclaimed but they engrosy badah with the pro
visions of the constitution, and especially uncaed for by the
South. That voluntary associations of individuals should
seek upersede the consultation OF country is degree
of arrogant assumption which cannot contemplate without
aversion Whatever may be the fate of the Union let
southern honor be furnished by any the least violation of
the sacred obligations OF that revered instrument.
After what have said, gentlemen, you may expect dis
tnc summary Of my opinions. have hesitation in Civ
ing it, am neither jew Catholic, but humble, and
sincere supporter Of Protestant Christianity In
politics. ! am whig. | am consolaonist. / am a
democratic republican, believing in the rights and dignity
State authority. willing, hope with patriotic zeal,
support hc federal government while exercising
tons within constitutional prescriptions. As citizen,
proud Of the deeds which have been achieved under Star
Spanged Banner shall Influences either Of popular
sentiment of party dctaon, divest of that feel
ing.
have the honor to remain your obedient and
friend, A. T.. BUTLER.
To Messr j. Seigng, ir, w. G.! DeSaussurc, Thos Y.
Simons jr, and C. X. Miles, committee.
MULTUM IN PARY0.
Comments upon the Louisville riots from papers Of diff