The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-10-07


commentary on the economical pretensions
Of the Republican party of Minnesota.
William Window, the Know Nothing
Candidate for Congress.
Mr.. WILLIAM WINDOW is out in another
letter. In this last production, which we
find in the Winona Republican, Mr.. VIM
DOM outsteps the most radical in professions
of attachment to the rights and interests of
the foreign born citizeLs of the United
States. He is in favor of the naturaliza-
tion laws as they stand-will oppose every
discrimination between native and natural
lied citizens-and is particularly down on
the Massachusetts amendment, which the
Republicans of that State have again en-
dorsed, by renominatiDg N. P. BANKS, its
author, for the Office of Governor.
We all know the reason Mr.. WINDOW
utters these hollow and bypocritical pledges
to the Germans of Winona. He uants
their votes; and will stoop to every dishonor-
able means to secure them.
In 1854, also, when seeking votes ard
political position in Ohio, his views as to
foreign citizens, enunciated under the
solemnity of an oath, were quite different
from what they now profess to be. At Mt
Vernon, Ohio, Mr.. WILLIAM WINDOW, upon
being initiated into the Know Nothing, or
Supreme Order of the Star Bangled Banner,
assumed the following oath, with one hand
resting on the American flag, and the other
on the Holy Bible"
Gin the PRESENCE OF ALMIGHTY GOD
and these witnesses, l, WILLIAM WINDOW,
will never betray any of the secrets of this
society, nor communicate them even to proper
candidates, except within a lawful council of
this order; and that will never permit any of
the secrets of this society to be written, or in
any other manner made legible. except for the
purpose of official instruction; THAT WILL
NOT VOTE NOR GIVE MY INFLUENCE FOR
ANY MAN FOR ANY OFFICE IN THE GIFT
OF THE PEOPLE, UNLESS HE BE AN
AMERICAN-BORN CITIZEN, IN FAVOR OF
AMERICANS RULING AMERICA, NOR IF
HE BE A ROMAN CATHOLIC; THAT WILL
L
THIS ORDER IS CONCERNED, COMPLY
WITH THE WILL OF THE MAJORITY, AL
THOUGH 1T MAY CONFLICT WITH MY
PERSONAL PREFERENCE. Binding
myself in the penalty of accommodation from
the order, the forfeiture Of all intercourse ,cith
its members, and being denounced IN all of the
societies the same, tciful traitor to my God
and my country"
In taking the second degree of the order,
Mr.. WINDOW enlarged his oath, as follows:
"In the presence of ALMIGHTY GOD and these
witnesses, l, WILLIAM WINDOW, SOLEMNLY
AND SINCERELY SWEAR, THAT l WILL
SUPPORT IN ALL POLITICAL MATTERS,
FOR ALL POLITICAL OFFICES. MEMBERS
OF THIS ORDER IN PREFERENCE TO
DONE LEGALLY, WILL. WHEN ELECTED
OR APPOINTED TO ANY OFFICIAL STA
TON CONFERRING ON ME THE POWER OF
DOING so, REMOVE ALL FOREIGNERS,
ALIENS, OR ROMAN CATHOLICS FROM
OFFICE OR PLACE, AND THAT WILL IN
OR PLACE IN MY GIFT. All this
promise and declare as an American citizen,
to sustain and abide by, without any hesitation
or mental reservation whatever. So help me
God and keep me steadfast."
Mr.. WILLIAM WINDOW was not only ini-
tiated into the order, but took prominent
part in its proceedings. He was Vice
President of Lodge, and delegate to the
State Council of Ohio.
We ask every candid citizen. which is
the most worthy of credence The solemn
oath of WINDOW or his electioneering let
ter? In the ordinary business transactions
of life which would be received as the
honest sentiments of the man?
- The Winona Republican, in publishing
the letter of Mr.. WINDOW, says:
"There is one thing about the letter of inter.
rogatory of our German fellow citizens to
which we invite special notice. 1t will be seen
that they do not inquire into Mr.. WINDOWS
past political views or opinions. With these,
they have the good sense to perceive that they
have little to do on the present occason-they
desire simply to learn how he stands affected
toward the living questions of TO-DAY. And
for this straightforward, manly inquiry, de-
void of captiOus or querelous trifing with
l:revelant issues, they are greatly to be COM
mended."
Unfortunately for Mr.. WINDOWS charac-
ter for veracity he has volunteered an ex-
preston of his "past political vieacs or opin-
ions." In letter to the Editor of the
Times, he states, in speaking of our charge
that he was member of the Know Moth
ing order:
DEAR SIR have just learned that the Pho
NEER has a long article in relation to Know
Nothngsm, in which, with great deal of par
ade, the editor charges me with being a mem
Der of the order.
1 PRONOUNCE THE WHOLE CHARGE
AN UNMITIGATED LIE!
understand Cavanaugh claims that he has
certain publications made by authority. If
this is true, he has discovered kind of Know
Yours, VIM. WINDOW.
MIR. WINDOW prOnOunces the charge
made in this paper, and proved by testi-
mony which cannot be refuted, san unmiti.
gated lie )" but Mr.. WIS organ expresses
its great qualification that in this last letter
no inquiry was made or response given as
to its truth? In fact, the inevitable logic
of the Republicans article, is that the charge
is true, hence the pleasure expressed that no
inquiry was made on the subject.
We feel considerable qualification to
know that Mr.. WINDOWS own friends agree
that the solemn statement put forth over
his sigma ture is, in his own language an
''unmitigated lie," and that the statements
made in the PIONEER AND DEMOCRAT are