The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1855-10-19
THE AMERICAN PARTY.

AAAH ~AhLAAlSAN 4 an IL
The sentiments contained in the annexed
remarks, from the Petersburg Intelligeneer,
upon the present condition Of the American
party, its duty and policy hereafter, suit our
views exactly:
There has been good deal Of specula-
ton, not only among American Journals, but
on the part of editors who, without belong
ing to the Order, are favorably disposed TO
its general aim and designs, rs to certain re-
forms which will promote its efficiency and
relieve it Of prejudices now in the way of II
more accelerated progress. AS it regards
the obligation of oaths and secrecy, we be-
lieve there is but one sentiment oh the SUBJ
Iceland that is its incorporation into the
Ritual was originally impoIitic, and therefore
policy requires us to abolish il at once. In
saying this we wish TO be expressly under
stood as involving no right on the part of the
American citizens to meet rs they please, IN
public or prlyate-in conference on mntters
pertaining to their rights or interests, and to
adopt secretly or openly any lawful means
10 attain lawful ends, which may in their
Judgment be deemed expedient-the lying
and well known by those who preferred
them to be lying-charges of being secret
midnight assassins TO the contrary notwith
standing. But from what we can hear, it is
not likely that there will be such cOnc
dence OF opinion on other subjects, and that
there is danger that the pruning knife may
lie used so freely as to deprive the Order of
its real and valuable characteristics and tenets.
The American party did not originate in the
stupid desire of certain persons to band
themselves together, and for mere pastime go
through certain ceremonies which were to be
kept secret from all who had not come under
the proper obligations. To harbor such II
thought would be to suppose large body Of
the American people, comprising some of the
most able and intelligent men of the coun.
try, had turned dOts and asses. The aims
and objects Of the American Party were pat
riotic, natoual and conservative, and no mat
ter if its ceremonies and obligations, perfect
ly lawful IS they are, have worked badly,
nothing has yet occurred to change the I'M
portance Of these objects, while every day
brings out something more or less striking
to show that OH the ultimate triumph Of the
Native American party will depend the safe
ty of this Union and consequent perpetuity
of its institutions. The American Party
was brought into existence by one promi.
nent cause,tO witt the vast influence which
IN increased and rapidly increasing foreign.
born popuhtion was exercising on the leg
islation of the United States--whch popua
ton to say iothing Of its admitted Ignorance
of our institutions, was mainly under the
influence of religion which always had, and
never would entertain dogmas which, in their
very essence, required concert of political
with what 10 the true and Protestant sense
of the word is spiritual, or religious action,
and therefore dangerous to n Republican
| Government That this fact brought the
American organization into existence, vii. be
denied by no member of it who is not ready
to admit that he was participation in use
less and stupid humbug, without point or
meaning. The question, therefore, for the
American Party every where is unmstakea-
bly, plain. Is the fact which brought it into
existence, and alone can continue its vitality,
any less palpable, pregnant and alarming now
than it was a short time since! Has torei On
Catholic influence on American affairs been
shorn of any of that strength which called n
great party of resistance into being! If so,
where is the proof of il! Where the evil
dence that American rights and interests are
safer from this source OF attack and danger
now than they ever were! On the contrary,
do we not see daily proofs that the foreign
Catholic population, aided and abetted MS
they are by native Cathoics-wtness Bish-
| OPP McGill's sermon-are growing constantly
more bloated in their pfetensions and impu.
dence!