Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1857-06-27
nrHv1Ne T#pfR own IDEN8iTY.

DENYING THEIR own DEN8iTY.
We expected nothing else in the outset Of this can
Fass than that Know Nothingism, in short time
tgould be denying its own identity We have fire..
uuenIy predicted that the time was net very distant
when it would be an insult to man to chargs him
with having been a member. We had already dis
covered unmistakabls premonitions Of an intention
TO escape from it, if possible. Gentlemen of ardent
temperaments, who once boosted of their g intense
Americanism, were beginning to call themselves
Wings. Papers thai had once denounced the old
Wing party as dead and rotten, were beginning to
represent themselves as the especial organs of the
q American and Wing" parties. Men who had
abused and villifed Know Nothingism, were faYora-
bly, spoken of as suitable persons its candi
date for Governor. Mr. Bell, who had said that
" Distribution had ceased to be question We found
busily engaged in exhuming it from thepast as tenn
porary substitute for the cry about the Pope
We have been engaged recently in tearing away
the frail concealment behind which Know Nothing
ism has been striving to protect itself The opera
lion, though pleasing us, is exceedingly disagree
able to Know Nothing editors. Already We find
Them preparing for escape BY every imaginary de-
vice The Memphis Nsps, referring to the UNION
AND AMERICAN in this connection, says:
" 1t would not hurt the conscience Of any patriot,
as far as we have read swear all they said to
have sworn but as to the mode Of organization, as
10 creed. in part, Know NOthingism is thing,
Americanism quite another"
ssKnoW Nothingism is one thing, Americanism quite
another" The public would have been gratifed
had the Neaqs gone and told in what respect they
differ As it is not too late We trust that paper may
yet enlighten us.
The editor Of the Nlurfreesboro' Telegraph adopts
a device somewhat different from this, but equally
uutenable He frankly acknowledges having taken
the Oaths prescribed by the Know Nothing councils,
and that he administered them to others but he
says these obligations are not perpetual and quotes
a clause from one of their oaths as follows; "An
this you promise TO observe as long as you remain
member Of this order" This may be true, but are
not al good and true Know Nothings still members
Of % the order" Is not Mr.. Hatton stin a member
of e the order" and as such, is he not bound to OBJ
serve and carry out all this oaths if he is elected
Governor of the State? This is an important ques-
ton that the people wish to have answered. We
hope, therefore, that it viii not be overlooked by
those who have the right to answer.
The Nashville Banner gets off a still more fimsy
subtifuge It says: "These forms, whatever they
we're, have passed away, and no longer exist. You
might as well discuss the ceremony of initiation in
to church-the manner of the applicant and his
vows-Without looking to the doctrine he processes
Wonder if these VOWS" of the Know NOthings are
not full of doctrine What would you call that
part of the " VOW which obligates them never to
vote for any man who processes the Roman Catholic
religion and if elected Office to turn ali such out?
What would you call that part of the "voW" which
pledges the initiate to vote for any American
citizen, however worthy he may be, who happened
to be born in the dOminions Of another government?
What would you call that part of the vow" which
requires those who take it, so long as they remain
connected with tie order, to comply, in all things
political or social" so far as the order is con-
cerned, 'with the will of the majority though it
may conflict with their personal preferences" If
these are not part of the doctrines of the Order
we should like to know what is They are certainly
the most perncious doctrines in the estimation of
the people that could be avowed.
In conclusion, and act of justice to the mem
bers of the Know Nothing order, we desire to know
if they have been absolved from their oaths and if
so, by what power. If they were ever binding, it
seems to that they binding STILL at least upon
third degree members, and we take it for granted
that Mr.. Hatton took them all. According to our
reading of the oath in that degree, it says: AZ
1.-THE initiated also promise and swear that this and
all other obligations which have previously taken
in this ORDER shall be kept through this e sacred and
6Uio5ats." Now if Mr.. HattOn believed in the eff
caoy of these Oaths when he was taking them, they
must rest upon his conscience still If he did not
believe in their binding force he practising hy
pocracy when he pretended to receive them himself
or, high priest Of the Order, administer them to
! others.
We want Mr.. HattOn's friends to explain up on
this matter. 1t is feature in his biography about
which the masses are concerned and to which they
! are entitled to know something more.