The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1855-07-27

citlzenship-the inelgbiity TO office, in the
foreigners already here, and an extension OF the
term oi naturalization. The tue inference is,
the prohibition of all emigration for the future,
ard the avoidance of everything that would
leXaSparate the foreign elenent already in the
midst of us the careful observance Of every-
thing which would tend 10 strengthen their
attachment 10 the institutions ol The conntrg.--
These are the results which logically issue from
the premises OF the Know-Nothing creed, and
which they are logically required to assume.
But they dare not do it the measure they
propose to adopt-the exclusion from Office
/ is ndiculouSiy incomplete as practical eKpe-
dent It is a most impotent and lame colelu-
sion. as logical inference. 1t is absolutely ne
cessary, either to cease this political crusade
against large masses OF our people, or to make
I 1t eleciual to accomplish, not only the ends it
holds in view, but to prevent the incidental
evils the Effort at reform has created in its pro-
gresS. Nothing short of far more effective
/ diminution Of the common rights Of citizenship
than has vet dared TO assume the shape of
public proposition, will meet the ends which
the American party are seeking TO accomplish.
/ 1t is absurd 10 admit large classes of men to all
the common rights Of citizenship, except one,
/ # there is a reason why they should be deprived
Of one they should be deprived of ALL Fit is
right to allow them TO vote, il is right TO allow
them TO be voted for the one right is almost If
not altogether. the correlatve ofthe other ANY
argument which would prove man disqpa-
fed for Office would prove him disqualified to
vote. There may be- special reasons why par
ticular offices. involving the representation Of
! H.. Il.
policy, should be exclusively occupied by ma
tivp-born citizens: but this is very different in
nature, and proceeds upon a wholly different
principle of political wisdom, from the univer-
sal declaration ofinriigibilitv to all office among
large masses of citizens. That eligibility, at
aches as an incident, or inheres among the
mass OF the common rights of citizenship and
II Is absurd to admit the citizenship in general,
and deny this single capacity which il involves.
Tbs principle OF action involves the explana-
ton OF the difficulty raised by The writer in the
Critic for MAY, in relation to the eligibility of
the Chinese or a Mohammedan. This question
will be settled by the settlement of previous
question, and that IS, whether large masses of
such persons, pagans and poysamsts, aie TO
be admitted al all to the permanent anfnAeraI
participation in the rights OF cltlzesshiRatn
Christian cenniryl
II is on this question, thu great Mormon issue,
now ripenIng for trial, will be determined in
few years. Concediny this issue rs determined
in the Affirmative, all minor questions, such as
eligibility 10 office, and propriety of voting such
persons into Office, are settled il is absurd to
question the ordinary propriety of allowing hv
vote, what is allowable BY law. The whole
question: as general proposition, is determined
by the permanent admission OF large masses Of
persons in view, to the common rights of cti-
ZenShip. II is one thing 10 allow specific priv
ilpgeS TO individual foreigners residing on our
soil, for specific purposes hut il is altogether
another, to disiranchse part, and by pin
ciple designed TO be permanent immense masses
Of men already permanently a part Of the pop
ulation, and so recognized We insist, there
fore, that the whole movement must rptraCe lis
progress, or go forward 1t is unwiSe in the
extreme TO leave all their power for mischief
in their hands, resulting in part from their sim
pie existence in the country as part Of IFS
population, and, in part from the privileges
which are still TO be left them-and then ex-
aSperae them to use it, bv attempting TO reduce
their fnll political equality with citizens OF
other birth and other religious opinions.
We object in the last place, and with deep
severity of conviction, 10 the principles of or
ganization adopted by the American or know /
nothing party, and to some OF the particular
features which they have embodied in their (
order. If ever any principle was at war with
the very foundation of the American republic,
ii is the principle ola secret, oath-bound organ
zation of political parties. |, is unnecessary,
dangerous. hostile to thr fundamental maxms /
of republican liberty, and, in lis existing as
pect, demoraIizing in a high degree. 1t strikes /
a blow at that great fundamental maxim OF the /
government-the intelligence of the people
an essential element of republican liberty-
What matters il how much intelligence the
people may have, il political men will conceal |
from them the elements upon which to employ /
that intelligence, in the foundation of an opin-
ion and the adoption of a policy. The duties
of man are correlative. If it is the duty of
the people to require knowledge of any party
claiming their suffragps. before they endorse
them, il is the duty of that party TO give it
No party has the right to retire into the dark,
bind itself to secrecy under OATH unfold what
they please and conceal what they please from
the people; nor have the people the shadow of
a moral right TO give their sanction 10 that, of
the prorriety of which, they are not informed.
moreover this principle Oh organization VIII
prove utterly subversve OF the Constitution of
the United States, BY placing the legislation of
Congress in the hands of an irresponsible asso-
citation of IFS members; in body totally un
known TO the Constitution, distinct from Con-
gress ITSELF existing within but independent OF,
and independent of all responsibility to, any
public or recognized law. The Congressional
council, itself at war with the Constitution, will
be under the control of the National council
and the result will be, that the Congress Of the