The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-10-25
POLITICAL MOVEMENTS IN IOWA.

tionized, having elected an Anti-Nebraska Gov
ernor. United States Senator, and Representa-
tive; but, subsequent events have thrown
some doubt over the real nature of parties in
that State. The Wing and Independent Dem
ocratic organizations gave place to what was
called, Republican Party, but we apprehend
that the Know Nothing wire-workers have, by
their secret operations, acquired mischievous
influence over it. 1t is difficult to deal with
men, who mask their position, and work in the
dark. They will unite with you in calling a
Convention, then, by means of their outside
organization, fill it with enough of their repre-
sentatives TO control both its resolves and nom
nations, and in the end you find that you have
simply been used to advance the interests Of
an Order you utterly condemn.
Such has been the experience of our friends
in Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Iowa. So far
as we can Judge, the People, DESTROYS of form
ing an honest Republican Party in Pennsylva
MIA, were secretly bafled by Know Nothing
managers and in Indiana, it is difficult to say
whether the so-called Republican organization
there, is more Anti-Nebraska than Know Moth.
| ing.
We have just been reading report of "a
Mass Republican Convention at Upton, Iowa
The meeting was advertised, as "a mass meet
ing of the friends of Repubicansm )" its pro-
posed object was the organization of ere
publican" movement. The resolutions will dis
| close the real spirit that had insdiously crept
into the Convention, and succeeded in obtain
ing its control.
The preamble, after reciting the various
ceeds-
Having violated the confidence reposed in
it by course of unexampled prescriptions OF
minor officers, and by exerting its influence
against Republican principles, by preferring for
public fayors and patronage, foreigners and
rdssais Of the Pope Of Rome TO 4mericanbOrn
and Americanized citizens" DE.
This is the first glimpse of the dark spirit.
Next follow resolutions, good enough, on the
great issue of Slavery, and then, the dark spirit
reveals itself fully in the following resolves:
18th. That no person is a good citizen who
owes allegiance, either spiritual or temporal, to
any foreign prince or power.
"7th. That the naturalization laws should
be so amended as TO prevent any one from ex
ercisng the elective franchise, so long as he
acknowledges such an allegiance to any for
eign power, temporal or spiritual, as will pre-
vent his fully and faithfully complying with
the requirements Of his oath of allegiance to
this Government; and that as the Constitution
requires the chief Executive of the nation to be
a native Of the land, so also ought his Cabinet,
and our national representatives abroad, to be
Americans by birth"
This is rank Malice 1mericdniSD,, and the
Mass Convention, in adopting such resolutions,
simply submitted to counsels designed to rem
der the Anti-Slavery sentiment in Iowa sub
servient to Know Nothingism
The 9Th resolution is ridiculous one. No
native born citizen can Owe temporal allegience
to any foreign power; and no foreign imm-
grant can, under our present naturalization
laws, become a citizen, unless he allure ALE
glance to any foreign power.
As to spiritual allegiance" Civil Govern
ment has no right to interfere with it, any
more than with the rights of conscience, so
long as it does not conflict with its legitimate
prerogatives. Render unto Caesar the things
that are Caesars and unto God the things that
are Gods. Civil Government has a right to
claim obedience in temporal affairs, but to die
tate to no one, who or what power shall he Ia
spiritual head. FOR ourselves, we acknowledge
spiritual allegiance, to God only, and we may
think it absurd for any man to bow his iudg-
ment to g the Church in matters of faith; but
what right have | to resort to civil pains and
penalties, to enforce upon him my selfdepend-
ent faith? Politicians are grossly impertinent
when they attempt to interfere in mans spir-
Qualities.
In regard to the only allegiance that comes
within the scope of political supervision-civil
allegiance that is already provided for amply
under our present naturalization laws.
We return to the main subject-the nsid
GUS action of Know Nothingism in Conventions
called as Republican" This Convention in
Iowa, after having erected Native American
platform, invites Il" all who approve of the prin
ciples set forth i'll these resolutions, without re-
gard to their former political associations, to
unite and cooperate" &C., and it appoints
committee to confer with like committees. and
the friends of Freedom throughout the State
for the purpose of holding State Convention
This is precisely the plan which the Spring
field Convention of Know Nothings in Massa-
chusetts proposed, for the purpose of organi
zing an Anti-Nebraska Native American Party
or an american Republican Party-but the
People rejected it, formed a single-eyed Repub-
hcan Party, and the real Know Nothings drew
off and nominated Gardner
We hope the example will be followed in
Iowa. Better let the sitting come this year
than next. Let the true Republicans boldly
take their ground one issue-one movement
an honest, open, single-hearted union of the
People, ignoring all issues but those forced
upon the country by shareholders, independent
of all other organizations. If wire-workers per-
sist in thrusting Know Nothingism upon them,
lei them resist, and, if necessary, call another
Convention. The man, who, at this time, stub
bornly attempts to force the Republican move
ment into subservience or co-operationship
with Know Nothingism, whatever else he may
be, is false to the cause of Freedom.
ALARMING
"Some weeks ago, We expressed apprehension