Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1858-09-09
PLYMOUTH, INDIANA, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1858

Mr.. Colfax in an article defining his creed,
ia the same paper that contains the Tribune
article alluded to, utters the following
rather startling sentiment: a ~ i -
-a''2d. OF the recognition of equal rights
to Protestant Foreigners. THOROUGHLY
AMERIcANfzED, who concur with us in hos
tiity to political Romanism or political for
eignisrn, and who acknowledge that to
this, their adopted land, they have given
an entire, unreserved, aud unqualified al
legience."
"The term ''thoroughly Americanized, :"
as used by Mr.. Colfax, of course means that
Protestant Foreigners might be ADM tied
to citizenship at the expiration of twenty
one years; but TO Catholic Foreigners lie
had no rights 70 ertend. 70 the Protestant
Foreigner no would extend the right to
vote only in twenty one years-ho matter
what amount of taxes he may have paid.
or how much blood he may have split in
defense of his adopted country--but new
or would allow him to hold an office, (aee
his Know Nothing oath, and the Catno-
lie Foreigner he would forever deprive of
every political privilege. =. soi
But the single right he says he would
extend to the Protestant Foreigner. is in
direct conflict with the oath he swore be-
fore his Maker to carry out. Here it Is:
oATus OF TUE FIRST DEGREE.
"You and each of you, Of Your own free
will and accord, in the presence of AL
mighty God ard these witnesses, your
right hand resting on this Bible and Cross,
and your left hand raised toward Heaven,
in token of your sincerity, do solemnly
promise and swear that Jou will not make
known to any person or persons any Of the
signs. secrets, mysteries. or objects of this
Organization. That so long as you are
connected with this Organization, if not
regularly dismissed from it, you will, in
all things, p OLIIICAL or SOCL1L,
so far as this order is concerned, comply
with the will of the majority, when ex-
pressed in a lawful manner, though it may
conflict with your personal preference, SO
long as it does not conflict with the Grand,
State, or subordinate constitutions. the
constitution of the United States of Amer
ca. or that of the State in which you re-
side. You furthermore promise and de-
clare that You will not cote, or gire your
enfuence tor any man for Ony office. IN the
gift of tie people, unless lie be an AMER
ICAN BORN CITIZEN, in favor OF
american born ruling Anacrica, nor If he
be a Roman Cdtltolic. To all the forego-
ing you bind yourselves under the no less
penalty than that of being expelled from
the Order, and of haoing your name posted
and circulated throughout all the different
councils in the United States as perjur-
er, and as traitor to your God and your
Country. as being unfit to be employed
aud trusted, counteranced or supported in
any business transaction, as person to.
tally unworthy tho confidence of all good
men, and as one at whom the finger Of
scorn should ever be pointed. SO hell
you God!
The part of tie Second Degree Oatl
touching upon the rights they would ex
tend to Foreigners of any and all kinds, is
as follows:
That you will under all circumstances
if in your power so to do, attend all regular
signs and summonses that may be thrown
or scnt you by Brother Of this or any
other degree of this Order; that you viii
support in all political matters, for all poi!i
cal officers, second degree members of thi:
Order. provided it be necessary for Amer
lean interest; that, if it may be done legal
ly, YOU will, when elected to any office
remove Foreigners, Aliens, ard Catholic,
from Office, and that you will in no cas'
, appoint such to office. All this you prom
ise and declare on your honor as Ameri
cans to sustain and abide by, without any
hesitation or mental reservation whatever
How does all this correspond with hi
assertion in his paper of August 24th
1854, in which Mr.. Colfax, in an article il
reply to charge of Know-Nothingism
says: -asa#
"To its falsehoods we reply. first, tha
we are not member of the Know Moth
, ings or any such organization.
That he acas member we have not on
ly proved, but as will be noticed above, h
was afterwards forced, though very reluct
} antly. to acknowledge. What dependence
can be placed in a man who will thus stul
tify himself? Let the people answer a
the polls.-Lapoyte Times.