The true Democrat., 1856-06-03

ne Fl0ceS Himself upon Record as anti.
 Know Nothing.
 LET EVERYBODY READ!!!
 The following long article against the mid night Know Nothing order appeared as the leading editorial in the Gazette of August 24th 1854. We desire everybody to read it and contrast the positions taken and the sentiments uttered in 1t with those now taken and uttered by the same newspaper and the same editor. Let every body read it and preserve it for the summer to read to Know Nothngs when they commence upon Catholics and foreigners.-- Here is the article:
 THE KNOW NOTHINGs.
 Under the above name, secret order has been instituted, within the last few months, which, We are informed, has increased to very considerable extent, in most of the cities of the United States. Of our own knowledge, we kaOa0 nothing of the purpose of this organiza- ton; but from what we can learn from out siders and from looking over the columns of the papers which profess to be their organs, as well as conversng with those who claim to be with the principles of the organiza- ton, we infer that 1t is based on political and religious intolerance-that is, it is an organiza- ton against the foreign population and Catho- lie religion in tiis country. If this be true, instead of the order being American, it is anti American;-based upon bigotry and intolerance, its platform Is too narrow, and too much ci.- cumscribed, for an American democrat to stand upon.
 In this country, where the constitution qua ranties tho freedom of speech and the press, and the rightof the people to assemble publicly and petition for a redress of grievances. where it is the legitimate province of every citizen to publicly conde demn, and, if he think proper, for the sake of reforming it, to denounce any law or institution of the country, there is no neces sity for secret organizations to effect political ends. Indeed, when secret political party arises among us, which avoids the public dis cusson of its principles it is fair to infer that fear prevents it's members seeking publicly to discuss them; ;-workers of evil, they prefer darkness to light. We do not make this as charge, but submit that it is a legitimate in- ference.
 Taking it for granted that we have stated the creed of the Know Nothings correctly, it can be shown that it is an organization for the purpose of contravening the principles of the declaration of independence, and the constitu- ton of the United States.
 We propose first, to examine somewhat into that portion of the platform which proscribes the foreign population, and the naturalization of foreigners; and second, to pay some attention to that part of it which proscrbes any sect on account of its peculiar religious forms or opin- ions.
 First: In regard to that portion prescribing e ,iair rofo ring to the declaration of independence, it will be seen, that among other charges the follow ing is preferred against King George III: He has endeaUored to preuent tue population of these Stats; tor that purpose obstructing he taaos .tor the turalization ot foreigners; refusing to pass others tor taeir migration hlther.'
 After the doctrines so clearly, so emphatical- ly, and so unmistakably laid down, by the patrot-sages of '76, foreign aid was sought and received, in the prosecution of the war ofnde- pendence. Who so ignorant of the history of his country, as never to have learned that, for our independence we are greatly indebted to the material aid,' both in men and money, received then from France? Our French al lies co-operated with the party of the revolu- ton, both on the land and on the sea. At the growing battle of the revolution, W hich resulted in the surrender of Cornwalfis at Yorktown, Gen. Washington assigned du- ties separately to the French and American troops. In brotherly emulation, each sought to outdo the other in acts of soldierly bearing, and chivaric gallantry. The battle was won. Cornwallis surrendered. The independence of the United States was achieved.
 Nor are we indebted for foreign aid in our revolution, alone to France, as a nation. Many tore gners, both of the high and distinguished and the humble and owly, loving liberty well enough to fight for 1t in another country, and for another people than their own, left their homes, and cast their fortunes among our revo- lutionary sile,. Many of the present day, ap- pear to know nothing of the services to and sacri- ices made by foreigners for our country, in that time which tried mems souls.' They appear never to have heard of Lafayette, De Kalb De Stuben, Kosciusko, and many such men to whom the country owes so deep debt of gra- t!tude.
 After the achievement of our national inde- pendence, provision was incorporated into the constitution of the United States, giving Con- gress the power 10 establish an uniform rule 9 naturalization. Thus, it may be seen, that the men of the revolution were not, in the hour oi success, unmindful of their obligation to d. justice to the foreigners who so nobly stood by them in the time of trial and peril; or of their obligation to mako this country the home of the tree,' by inviting to onr shores men who are devoted to our institutions of equal rights and equal laws, notwithstanding they may not have had the good fortune to be born within our borders. And this was no. done as an act ofjustce alone to foreigners who aided in the war of the revolution, or, after that time, were anxious to become citizens of our government; but as an act of duty to our own country. IL was then, as 1t IS now, necessary, to populate the country; to suhdue the wilderness; to make productive fields, and rich cities, of regions wild, ultivated and unproductive; to strengthen the bonds of our Union, by build ing railroads, opening canals and making works Of internal Improvements; to establish schools, which will shed, without money and without price, the light of republican know ledge, on every hilltop, and in every valley Tn the country; to rear temples where free men may worship the true God according to the dictates of their own consciences.
 This is the destiny of our country, as wisely foreseen by the mea of the revolution Wo to the man, who would, by his puny hand, at. tempt to avert it. To work it out, we have need of the labor of more men than are born on this side of the water. It will come and the Know Nothiugs, or any other order had as we'll try to stop an avalanch of ice, precipiat- ed from the top of the Rocky Mountains. or form an association to stop the mouth of the Mississippi river, and prevent the waters of its valley from entering the Gulf, as to avert the destiny of this country.
 Second: As to that part of their platform which proscribes any sect on account of it's pe. culiar forms or opinions, it is also in contrayen. ton of the principles, for which the revolution was fought, and of the constitution of the Eni- ted States. which provides that Congress slaIl hnake TO La,cs respecting an establishment ., 'el'g'on; or prohibiting 1e free erercise tlsreot'
 Our country owes it's settlement. and. we think. Its republican form of government, Co religious persecution. At different times, anl under different dynastiss, in the old countries, dif ferett scots of religionists. were peNecuted and driven into exile. on account of their pe. cullar religious tenets conflicting with those of the then ruling powers. More particularly was thiS the rasa with reF4r1 tp the p,,.s..-