The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-05-16
ron. a. II. STEPHENS on Know -NoTHINGIsN

HON. A. III. STEPHENS ON kNUW-NOTHINGlSM
Mr. Stephens, Of Georgia declines reelection Con-
grsss and assigns his therefor the fact that
large numbers Of his old political friends whigs) seemed
to be entering into combinations with Objects
purposes and principle, Of which he not informed
and could be- according to the rules Of their action
and the opinions he sntsrans Hence he concludes that
they have no further for him their representative
Mr. Stephens then proceeds give his views full length
as to know-nothngsm, condemnng and repndating the
organization and its principles and objects When know
nothingism forces such Mr. Stephens to retire
from tie public service becomes southern ponder
over the consequences Of giving countenance to this dan
gerous organization. Mr.. Stephens has high
tional reputation as a national whg and ardent
friend Of southern institutions Sooner than surrender his
national principles b. joining the know-nothings, he
tire, from position which his splendid talents well
bis devotion to constitutional principles, had long
adorned From his very able letter. bearing date May the
9th we make the following quotations which viii clearly
show Mr. Stephens position;
"In nv opinioa no fit represent free people
who any private objects aims that he does
openly who ready aud willing all
when required asked, canddly and nsfy to proclaim
to the assembled multitude only his principles
views sentiments upon all questions that may be-
fore him his representative capacity 1t this
that representative founded, and this
oDec AN maintained
party shall be far successful In this country
to bring the In all it, departments and functions
under the influence u il control and power, po
cal raa will inevitably No truth in politics be
more easily and frmly established either BY from
history. upon principle authority, han~this These
are ny opinions, candidIy expressed.
tBut i have been anticipating somewhat was on the
preliminary qssoashat Is, the secrecy which lies At the
lourdaton the partyhst atmosphere Of darkness In
which IL lives. and Moves and its being and without
which probably IL could mot exist do not, however, In
tend 10 stop with that will farther, and give my
opinions upon qsesous whch said to be within the
range Of its oess and The prseiss pub
shed Tor those principles which attributed the ORDER
though no body organized party ihem) have
understand them two leading deos, and two only These
are pro.crspioa by exclusion from Office Of all Catholics
a. class and proscrio~ cf al persons Of foreign birth
casshc latter be accomplished not only BY exclu
su from Office of all foreigners who citizens BY
raiizaon but 10 be ehccuay carried out by abro
cation Of the law for the failure, such
amendment would be virtually tanamoant to It, These
as we are told great ostsushs objects for Gil this
oAths pledges, secret Signs, equivccaton
densls and what not AID what have 70 say Of them is
that these in deed truth BE- the principles thus at
tempted 10 be carried out then opposed 70 both Of them
openly and unquafhcdlv.
pass the other view Of sss
a. the consider alton OF them questions Of public policy
With me they both stand better light In ths aspect
than they do in the The frN assumes fF~sPcya ur-
diction in Jorsr. which ~ quite - much
opposed the .pirsts~l psws controllng tho Tern
porai as bad the other--botA bad am ut
tey opposed mingng religion with politics IL any way
whatever and especially am opposed 70 making ssfn
qualifications for civil office. Religion IL matter between
and his Creator with which sboud have
nothing 10 do. In this country the constitution guarantees
every citizen the right entertain whatever creed be
rleases creed all IL no inclined and other
has right TO pry into his conscience inquire What
he believes or what he does believe Al citizen and
member Of society he Is to be jodgedby his a and not