The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1856-05-09
enes Of n, 10 fix the tests for political pre-

,hase the Constitution and laws so as TO 6x a
religious test -tor office The very tirst step in
scb scheme is a union of Church and State,
which profession Of the established religion
will be necessary TO political elevation. Ii one
class OF protesting Christians b. prescribed will
not another soon follow. until the infdel spirit
oI the country will prcdominate The scene
OF the Sixteenth Century, in Europe, so shock
ing to humanity, should admonsh Us against the
idea Of persecution. Cur ancestors We're refu-
gees from religious oppression. When Roger
Williams, Lord Baltimore, and William Penn
agreed upon terms Of religious tolerance, it was
the second advent Of 'sgood will to mankind
It was The greatest triumph Of Christianity since
the days Of Constantine
But let us looll at this subject in another as
peet. / hold that the Know-Nothing doctrines
are Illegal and unjust We fixed the conditions
upon which the people OF other countries, of
every religious denomination, could become
citizens equal with ourselves, and their compi- |
aHce binds our government and people forever.
We have alnred them by our boasted declara
tions, that in this land Of liberty each could
worship God according To the dictates OF bis
conscience, and that none should mofpst him or
make hin afraid; and thus attracted, nauv
canip from every country, Protestant and Cath !
olc. Some have felIed the forest and cultivated
the soil others have built our railroads and ca
nails others have brcoml miners, manuiactu-
rers, and mechanics: and lew have devoted
themselves TO the professions and the arts. In
all these relations Of lift they have added 10 the
growth and general prosperity of the country.
They have contributed to the treasury in peace,
and have assisted Us to fight in times of war
And now it is proposed 10 prescribe and degrade
them 70 answer unjust and selfish ends Ito dis
regard the covenants of the constitution. Has
it never occurred 10 the advocates Of Know
Nothingsni, that we have no moral or legal
tight to do ths1 That civil rights are as sa-
cred as the rights Of property? That combina-
tIons 10 destroy privileges conferred by the Con
stitution, are as infamous as combinations TO steal
away goods and ciattels2 or that nothing can
have more fatal effect upon the advocates Of
civil and religious liberty in other countries,
than the recognition of intolerant doctrines in
this Such step would BE- triumph Of mon
archv and intolerance the world over. Do they
not know that the sures way to eHdangtr our
republic, is to weaker aud dpmoraize the Con-
sti;ution, by disregarding its obligaionS that il
is our best means of defence against the very
dangers which they pretend 10 dread If they
have not considered these things, they are liter
al knOw-NothiHgs. What our government has
agreed 20 do, il must perform. Ilihe laws arpi
wrong ii is our fault, and is good reason for
changing th"m. bat as long as they exist, their
obligations must be- observed. Nor can anatives
10 the manor born" take away, ever by law,
rights that have been conferred by the Cansti-
tntion. Measures prospective in their effect,
and they only, are legitimate. However much
we may differ as TO these. thev would furnish
10 jaSt eauspef complaint aii involve no bad
faith. Let me not be misunderstood. / am the
advocate of no class or sect Of people. The
Democratic party never has recognised, and
never will sanction the demand Of anv class or /
sect, as such, for ofice or honor. w bat main
ofall for the native and foreign born-the Pro-
testdnt and Cathoiic-leavinr each individual
citizen TO depend upon bis own merits for office
and honor. This is the Democratic doctrine on
the subject. Every man can vote as he NAV
please. He is not obliged TO vote for Catbo- /
hc or foreigner. 10 man should vote for had
man OF either class. But it is the indiscrm-
nate prescription ol these classes bv combina-
ton OF law, 10 which we object. There are
many "reminiscences in our past history to rem
der the idea dIstateiul. In all the past strnuoIes
ri the country the iorrign-born and native. the
Protestant and Catholic. stood or fell together. /
They did So when the Declaration of Io1pDpn
dence was adopted, and when the constitution
was made They did so on every battlefield
ei the Revolutionary war: in the war Of 1912. /
aao N he war with Mexico The recollection
"i al! these things eYcitrs aversion 10 the pro-
posed prescription. Every pare Of our nasf his
tory speaks against it. From the shades Of
Aooat Vernon, where sleep the ashes Of Wash
ln%ion, who helped to make these covenants
comes oP-HH adnoHiion against their violation
From the heights where Montgomery f-Il-fron,
the grass-cove9ed grave ol I.afavette-from th.
silent resting places Of the chiyalrous Kosciusko
aad De kalb--iS heard rrmonstranca AGAINST
violation OF the faith on which the batftas of
the Revolution were fought Indeed. from ey-
cry source Of moral aud political truth comes a
tron-an indignant frown-upon this scheme
Of treachery aud oppression.
lhe evil tendencies Of secret societies for
mere partizan ends are too obvious 10 reonire
discussion. Washington has aptlv described
th,'Fa as the means bg which cunning men NAV
osuFp the power of the people, and gain unwof-
thr rule. They are inconsistent with the A.
meFican character. We boast OF freedom of
speech and liberty of the press. If evils exist
moral and political, which require reform, let
aS make daylight business, and not to 90 a.
bont 1t Ike thief IN the night No practice
eouid nave a more demoralizing influence upon !
me character OF onr people. nor be better cal
calated to corrupt the ballot box and Jury box.
ana to emolter the channels of social and poIif
lcai intercourse. The whole tendency is vi {
elouS, and the institution will speedily meet
Wnat II meritS-the universal contempt of all o
honorable and patriotic men. c
And now, fellow citizens. in conclusion 7 I