The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1855-11-29
Iliegality of Know. N ingism.

The Mississippian publishes letter from
Judge J S. B. THATCHER, of Natchez, giving
it as his opinion that Know -Noihingism is q
criminal org ganization, conspiracy to Go an
unlawful act BY de?riving Roman Catholics
and aiuralized citizens Of their rights and
that The lao prouides fitH remedy. Simila
opinions have been given by Hon. J. M.
Porter, Hon. VIM. B. Reed, and John NJ.
Reed, Esq, OF Pennsylvania, and by Hon.
]. D. % freeman, late Attorney General Of
Mississippi. This, TO say the least, is very
good authority. and should caase the honest
masses to think seriously on the subject Of
the Legality Of this oath. bound order. 4.
Human liberty is blessing moi to be tri-
fed with; and whether that liberty is excer-
cised in religious, a political, or social
way, il is one of the most cherished rights
of man. II is the love of il that has KEPT
The Circassians for ages in their mountain
! fastnessos, and neIved Them 10 resist lhe
countless hosts of Tartary and Russia. II
was love for this Heaven.promised boon
| which rang in The voice of HENRY when he
electrified an American Congress with his
eloquence, and thrilled their hearts with the
sentence" Give me liberty or give me
death ~ II was love for, which drove
our fathers TO bleed at Bunker Hill and Sa--
atoga, and conquer at Yorktown. ALI past
history goes 10 show that the human mind
panis for it, strives for it, fourshes with it,
and, without it, pines and detsrioraies.
Civil liberty is defined 10 be "lhe liberty
of men 10 state of society, or natural libe,-
iy, so fer only abridged or restrained as is
necessary and expedient for the safety and
interest of the society, state, or nation. A
restraint of natural liberty, not necessary or
erpedisnt for the public, is tyranny or oppres-
sion. 1t is an exemption from the arbitrary
t0iH Of others, which exemption is secured
by established laws, which restrain every
man from injuring or controlling anolher."-
The Governments under which we live have
established laws calculated TO preserve 10
every man the enjoyment OF This liberty
These laws have, in the opiEion of the dis
iinguished gentlemen whose names we have
cited, and others, been violated by the order
commonly known as Know -Nolhings. Tha:
this has been done, a candid public must ad-
init.
The Constitution oil The United States de.
clares that Congress shall make no law re.
specing the establishment of religion, or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof.n-
Know-Nolhingism declares that Protestant,sm
only shall be recognized as a religion, and
that persons protesting the Roman Catholic
faith shall not be- permitted to hold Office
under The Government ''' 'h ssas'
The election laws of Pennsylvania provide
that no man shall unduly influence or ousra,cs
voter in The discharge Of his duty. Know
Nolhinsism does unduly influence and over
awe mea who have become connected with
il, and coerces them into Supporting lie men
aud measures. Here we have two drec, vi.
olations of The Constitution and laws of the
country, by an oah-bound political associa-
tion. Is it astonishing, then, that men who
love their country, aud reverence religion,
should speak out agains, such an organiza.
tion ?-HaTis5urg Patriot. 'i' p