Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1856-01-26
For the Standard
To the President Of the Kno,o Nothing Lodge at
Smith feII

To the Precedent Of the Knoo Nothing Lodge at
SmuhfeM:
DEAR SIR: AS 1 conceive it to be the imperative
duty of all public officers to give account of their
stewardship, therefore invoke youto render an &C.
count of yours 1t is generally conceded by the dis
cples Of SAM" that you presided over the Know
Nothing lodge at Smithfield with marked ability,
and with honor to yourself and with credit to Sam
In the portion Of Johnston County in which reside,
there were many converts to Know Nothingism-mcn
whom you had the honor of initiating into your mys-
FERROUS organization And now, sir since you have
dispensed with your midnight lodges, they being no
longer necessary, as understand, to propagate the
principles of Sam" trust you will pardon me for
enquirng of you, how, and for what use, the money
that you received from members that you initiated,
has been expended? Believe me, sir, in making this
enquiry, am prompted by no sinister motives
The very high respect that entertain for you as a
gentleman, and as President of Know Nothing
lodge impels me to make this enquiry. You know,
Sir that you initiated about four hundred members,
from whom you received about four hundred dollars.
You also know that many of them are poor and ig-
norant men. Some Of them are my ncghbors, and
they frequently ask me what you have done with
the money they paid you for Joining the Know
Nothings." They say you told them at one time
that you had received about enough to build Know
Nothing lodge (Which was then contemplated) in
Smthfeld; but the lodge has not been built; there
fore, they desire to know what has been done with
their money. And in truth, l am much puzzled to
know what to tell them, knowing, as do, that you
received several hundred dollars l, who write you
this friendly and conciatory letter. initiated by
you; and well do remember how you adorned the
presidential chair of midnight Know Nothing
lodge But, in order to soothe my neighbors, tell
them you are an honorable man, and WILL therefore,
account satisfactorily to them for every dollar of
their money. And have no doubt but that you
will do so, for know that you truc as steel
to your Know Nothing brethren You have none
Of the niquitous spirit that so manifest in the
character of the Duke of Gloster. And now, sir let
me say to you, in the kindest spirit in the world,
"Gice an account Of your Stewardship ;" then it
may be said, well done thou good and faithful
servant" You know, sir, that while you were the il
lustrous president of the Smithield lodge you told
the people that the salvation of government res
ted upon the principles advocated by the Know
Nothing party; that Gen. Scott was corrupt as
statesman, and that President Pierce was STEPPED
and dyed in corruption and that our glorious re-
public was gone unless the disciples of Sam" be-
came the dominant party This, you know, was
the doctrine you preached in your lodges after you
had just initiated member, and invariably conclu-
ded by telling the new member that che must pay
his dollar so great and important work could
not be accomplished without money. And now
that "Sam" is dead, land none so poor as to do
him reverence" l think you had better refund, or
some of your converts may think that while you
"look like the innocent flower, you are the kissing
serpent under it."
Johnston County, Jan. 81, 1856.