Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1855-05-25

supposed large number OF your political friend
have gone into the secret order called Know Nc
things Many of your friends desire TO know if thi
rumor be true 1t is considered an important perio
in national affairs, and your retiring at this tim
would be felt as loss by those who have relied O
you through so many trying scenes.
| What are your opinions and views OF this new par
ty, called Know Nothings? Knowing your willing
ness to give your opinions on all matters of publ
concern, l am induced 10 make the inquiry, and re
Yours, truly, THos w THOMAS
| CRAwFoRDvILLE, GA, 9th May, 1855.
| DEAR SIR Your letter OF the 5th inst. was re
ceiyed some days ago. and should have been ans
wered earlier, but for my absence from home In
rumor you mention, in relation to my candidacy 10
reelection to Congress, is true. have stated ant
repeated on various occasions, that was not, ant
| did not expect to be, canddate-the same no"
saw 10 YOU The reason of this declaration on mJ
part was the fact that large numbers OF our old pc
litica friends seemed to be entering into new comb
nations with objects, purposes and PrnctPIeS O
which was not informed, and never could De, &C
cording to the rules of their action and the opinions
| entertain. Hence my conclusion that they had nc
| further use for me as their Representative for
presumed they knew enough OF me TO be assured II
thew had any secret aims objects to accomplish
that they could get my consent, even Ii they
desired it, to become dumb instrument to execute
such q purpose | certainly never did. and never
SURFACES with my principles in my pocket. 1t has
been The pride of my life heretofore, not only to
make known fully and freely my sentiments upon
all questions of public policy but IN Vlndcaton OF
those sentiments thus avowed, to meet any antago-
nists arrayed against them, in open and manly strife
-" face to face and toe 10 toe" From this rule OF
action, by which have up to this time been gov
erned, l shall never depart.
But you ask me what are my opinions and views
of this new party called Know Nothings, with re-
Il S&NoI 81 IL, n
opinions and views, thus solicited, shall be given
most cheerfully, and fully and clearly my time,
under the pressure Of business will allow You Can
do with them as you pIease-publlsh them or not, as
you like They are the views of a private citizen
| am al present, to all intents and purposes what
soever literally one of the people. hold no office
nor seek any, and as of the people shall speak
to you and them on this, and on all occasions with
that frankness and independence which it becomes a
freeman to bear towards his fellows. And in giving
my views on I" Know Nothinglsm," ought perhaps,
to premise by saying, and saying most truly, that
really know nothing about the principles, aims,
objects OF the party about TO speak of-they
are all kept secTet-hey are held in the dark-beng
communicated and made known only TO the initiated,
and not to these until after being first duly pledged
and sworn. This, to me, is very great objection to
the whole organization. All political principles,
which are sought to be carried out in legislation by
any body or set of men in republic, in my opinion,
ought to be openly avowed and publicly proclaimed.
TRUTH never shuns the light or shrinks from investi-
gation-or, at least it ought never to do it. Hiding
places secret cOverts natural resorts for
It u.s. therefore, circumstance quite sufficient 10
cite suspicion against the truth to see 1T pursuing
such course. And in republics, where free discus
sion and full investigation by Virtuous people are
allowed there be any just grounds to fear
any danger from the greatest errors either in
religion or politics. All questions, therefore, rela
ting to the government of free people, ought to be
do C1a RI ful1 nd
Understandings acted upon Indeed, do not be-
Iieve that Republican Government can last long,
where this is not the case. In my opinion, no man
is fit to represent free people who has any private
or secret Objects aims, that he does not openly
avow, who is not ready and willing, at all times,
when required or asked, candidy and trutflItg, to
proclaim 10 the assembled multitude, not only his
principles, but his views and sentiments upon all
questions that may come before him in his represen
tative capacity. 1t was this basis that Represen-
tative government founded, and on this alone
can it be maintained in purity and safety. And if
any secret party shall be far successful in this
country to bring the Government, in all it's de-
partments and functions under the baleful influence
of s control and power, political ruin will inevita-
bly, ensue. No truth in politics can be more easily
and firmly established, either by reason or from his
tory, upon principle or on authority, than this
| These my opinions, candidy expressed
| | know that many good and true in Georgia
differ with me in this partcular-thousands of them
doubt not have Joined this secret order with GOOD
Intentions Some of them have told me so, and &c
not question their motives. And thousands more
will, perhaps, do it with the same intentions and mo
tlves. Should it be short-ved affair, no harm will
or may come of it. But let it succeed-let it carry
all the elections, State and Federa-let the natura
and inevitable laws of its organism be full
developed-and the country will 90 by the board /
will GO France did. The first Jacobin Club wa
organized in Paris, on the 9th of Nov, 1789 under
the allurng name Of 'the Friends Of the Constitu
tion," quite specious that now hear o
"Amerlcans shall rule America" Many of the bes
men and truest patriots in Paris joined i-and thou
sands OF the same sort of men Joined the affiliated
clubs afterwards-little dreaming of the deadl
fangs of that viper they nurturng in their DO
SONS. Many OF these very men afterwards went t.
the gulOtne, by orders passed secretly in these YER
clubs. All legislation settled in the clubs
} members of the National Assembly and Convention
all of them, or most of them were members OF tn
clubs for they could not otherwise be elected An
f after the question settled in the clubs the mem
bers next day went to the nominal Halls of Legsla
ton nothing but trembling automatons, to registe
the edictS of the 'Order," though it were to behea
Monarch or to cause the blood of the best of the
own number TO flow beneath the stroke of the axe
Is history of no use? Or do our people vanly lima
CINE that Americans would not do as the French di
: under like circumstances? ais thy servant a do
that he should do this thing" said the naughty, sci
confident Hazel. Yet he did all that he had bee
t told that he would do LET him that thinketh b
standeth take heed lest he fall" Human nature
the compound of weak frailties and erring pa
sions everywhere. Of these clubs in France, an eIt
" CANT writer has said
y "From all other scourges which had afflicted mar
IS kind, in every age and in every nation, there ha
/. been some temporary refuge shelter until tn
h storm might pass During the heahenism of ant
Il guilty, and the barbarism of the middle ages, Ii
y temple of god or the shrine of a saint, afforded
refuge from despotic fury or popular rage. B,
French Jacobns, whether native or adopted treate
!. with equal scorn, the sentiments of religion and II
feelings OF humanity; and all that man had gathere
l. from his experience upon earth, and the revelation
s. he hoped had been made him from the sky to ble