Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-10-04
THURSDAY, OCTOBER. 4, 1850.
Iohp BeI and Know-NothingIsm.

John Bell and KnOw-NothingIsm.
We propose to ask the editor of the NelcS a ques-
tion and address it TO him. not as OcofOco editor
but as a man of truth. Does he not k1lOJU that Mr.
Bell never was member of the "KnOw-NOthing
party" and that he never committed in any
shape form, to what the editor is pleased to
learn Its Wretched objects and purposes" Or, we
would vary the question the editor, himself, may
be practically a know-nOthing on the subject: Has
the editor of the AeJ1S particle Of proof that Mr.
Bell was ever member considered himself In
any wise belonging 10 the Know-NOthing OrganlZa-
ton? If he has, challenge him to produce 1t and
sustain his positive assertion. If he has not we de-
mand, in the name of common honesty, that he re-
call a statement imposed on his readers without
particle of fact TO sustain it.
We find the above in the Savannah BepablicGn ad-
dressed to the NeoS of that city. As friend of
the NeloS may not be quite familiar with Mr..
BELLS past history connected with the public SER
vice. as Mr.. BELL himself, we propose to show what
Mr.. BELL said the subject, and hope that the Re
pbcan will feel fully answered. In September, 1855,
after the State election of that year, the KnCwNOth
ing or American party held mass meeting at Knox
vile az which Mr.. BELL made speech, which we
heard delivered. The speech afterwards writ
ten out by Mr.. BELL, and published on the 2lst OctO
Der 1855 in his home organ, the Nashville Banner 1t
was also published in pamphlet form and widely
circulated throughout the State. From that speech
we make the sub5oined extracts. Neither Mr..
BELL nor This organs will deny that he made
the speech. They will not charge that the ex-
tracts are garbled. If they should, we call upon
them to publish all that portion of the speech which
relates to the new party and let the people see for
themselves. If the Republican is really anxious to
know Mr. BELLS sentiments about prescribing For
- 41,o
sentiments of Mr. BELL himself After attributing
the decline of the Wing party in part to the 'pru
rient and impatient ambition of many. members of
that party whOse chances Of elevation to the high
est honors are too slender and precarious-their
prospects of advancement in the line of regular
promotion, too dim and remote to suit their impetu
Gus aspirations, he proceeds to say:
Il have said that the Wing banner no longer floats
the stand in political assemblies. IN Tennessee
That is true but it has given place to another
sign, under which, trust, all true and conservative
patriots of both the old parties viii rally and make
il equally glorious and more triumphant than the
one which it has supplanted; and, that it may
have to be lowered resign Its place to any other
less significant of patriotic purposes and stern de-
termination to maintain the national character and |
institutions, against all who would change the one
undermine the other. It's in this trust and with
this hOpe-the hope that the members Of the new /
party, but sprnging into existence. will event
uGlly succeed In forming and maintaining great |
National and truly conservative party on all ques
lions, that present myself before this assembly,
arrayed under standard, acting with new as |
socates, and in the support OF new though not in
consistent principles after doing battle for twenty
years under the old Wing banner.
Il dare say, fellOwCitzens that some Of my young
cOuntrymen- of the new party may think that l |
might safely retire and leave to younger and more
gorous champions the support Of its principles
and can say, in all candOr that it would be more |
agreeable to my private inclination to seek the re
pose of private life. have participated quite long
enough in the exciting and often heated conflicts of
the past and have under the favoring confidence
of my countrymen enjoyed enough Of public hOnOrs /
TO satiate my ambition but l regard the political
condition of the country, present and prospective,
as SO critical-not to say alarming, that am re /
minded Of the simple but patriotic and stirring /
watChwOrd, which a British Admiral. the gallant |
Nelson sent 10 float at the masthead Of his ship as
the signal to engage thelenemy, off Trafalgar Eng
land expects every man to do his duty. regard |
the call Of my country at the present Juncture as
imperative upon all her true hearted sons, to stand
by her fortunes in the present crisis.
After full consideration have come to the con-
culson that the best mode in which in can serve my
country at the present time, Is to stand by the |
American party. ! am not member Of the order, |
but feel that am dhelt as true to the great and lead
ing principles Of the party could be cere formally
initiated into one Of It's councils
The councils of the American Order are denounced
as secret political societies. traught with and
tending TO all the mischefs and atrocities Of the
Jacobn clubs of Paris in the French Revolution |
yet since the order has become political party all
their alleged secret proceedings are known almost
upon the instant to the public. The Oaths administer
ed on initiation of members, denounced immOr
al and amounting to surrender Of all freedom andin
dependence in the exercise Of the elective franchise
vet tine oatls administered in various other secret
societies voluntary associations IN this country.
pass without notice or censure and it is well known
to these assaiants, that any member OF the Order |
can set aside the obligation of the oath he takes so
strongly objected to, at discretion, by withdrawing
from the Order. The exclusion of Roman Catholics
from the official pale Is denounced as proScrpIvc,
and an attempt TO establish religious test in viola
ito Of the constitution The exclusion Of natural
lied foreigners from all Official stations. Is de-
nOunCed prSscriptlYe and likewise IN violation of
the constitutional rights OF that class OF citizens.
To propose an amendment TO the constitution bv
which ROmanists shall be excluded from office might
justly be considered attempt TO establish relgI-
Gus test; and to propose to exclude natulazed Tor
elgnCrs from Office by an amendment 10 the Constl-
tuition, might with truth be said to be an attempt
70 prescribe them; but the organization OF pollt-
cal party, upon the principle or policy OF withhold
ing the support and suragcs of the members OF that
party in the public elections from Roman Catholics
and naturazed citizens that is all the Amerl-
can Party proposes to dO-cannot, by any far rea-
sOnIng, or ingenious sophistry. be shown TO BE- an
attempt to establish a religious test to prescribe
any class OF cltzens nor in regard either to Roman
maintained, that the American Party in withhold
ing from them their support in elections guilty OF
violation OF the constitution in letter, or spirit; |
unless the practice and maNimS Of both the great |
partles which have so long commended fer the posses
sion OF power in this country in elections, and APP
pontments to and removals from office, be admitted
10 be IN violation OF the constitution or its spirit
One Of the hoped for results which in the opinion
OF Mr.. Bell was tot justify this modern crusade
against our adopted and Catholic citizens. ~tho
cutting of the perennial supply of fresh recruits to
the Democratic standard" will be seen by the
following additional extract from his speech:
"The very name Of the new partv. American,
struck terror INTO the leaders OF the Democracy. |
The prestige OF the name OF the Democratic party
which had been tower of strength to it, thew fore
saw. likely 10 be no longer and thew made |
haste to seize whatever advantage. by way of in
demnity for the loss they might expect to derive
from the new issues presented by the new partv I
and if they could not destroy II At its birth they cal
culated that by the violence their assaults upon
rs nolicv and their Jealous advocacy of the causp
nj foreigners and Romanists at least TO secure bpi
undivided support in future elections and thus es-
oblisb the relation of patron and client in our conn
', betveen the Democratic party and the foreign {
I,,,Iation founded on the basis OF protection on a
hi ono side and support on the other; formidable
,Iliance truy but If the American party shall succeed
b cti,1 off The perennial supply Of fresh recruits TO the q
Deuocratic standard, derived from he annual utlG q
he half million of foreigners or more ne De,nocrdt'c
=, -, a1, IN ind that uley hare totgh their fl
tt,I ,rB dininisEeF chances Of success. But L
alliances the Democrats may form with {
;,, and Roman Catholics-howeVer the lead I
Va s., ct and raga-with whatever obstnacy Of L