North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1868-06-24

"A contemporary revlveS the old charge
against Colfax of being a X. N. in 1854.
We are somewhat familiar with the times
of "a and beg to state that Mr.. Colfax
at that time denied any connection or sym
pathy with the Order. For a brief period
the order was extremely popular, and al.
most all the aspiring politicians were
drawn into it. MIR. G. in common with
others who wanted to climb was strongly
suspected of leaning in that direction
His happening at Philadelphia during the
celebrated National Convention of X. Ms
was regarded as proof of his sympathy;
his refusal to enter their temple of Intol-
rance on that occasion took off some of
the suspicion, but the "why was he there
at all 2" kept moving and Schuyler final
ly denied, on the stump, that he had any
knowledge of the order or any sympathy
with it. Tie German element was strong
then, in town and on farm; the Irish ele-
ment was growing influential on railway
lines. The denial was right if true; it was
policy, if false. john L. Dawson, then
q X. N. editor of Fort Wayne, and of
course an opponent of the Democratic
party, became mad at Colfax for his de-
NAL and announced that he knep Schuyler
to hare been initiated in an Ohio lodge
We do not remember how Mr.. Colfax met
this charge or whether he noticed it in
any way, but Dawson aired the matter in
his vehement style, and the opinion of the
people was that Dawson was right. We
had something to say in the papers about
that time, and it was our opinion that Mr..
c. was o member in OHIO but not in In
diana!
A long personal acquaintance with
the Vice Presidential candidate of the Re-
pnblicans and a friendly intimacy dating
since September 1886, forbid the use of
unkind words on our part, but the ques-
ton is sprung and it is not improper
We that we should state the facts as far as
we know and give Schuyler and his sup
porters an opportunity to disprove Daw-
sons charge. Dawson is still in Fort
Wayne and, we believe, is at the head of
prominent paper there. lie can be in
quired of relative to this matter. We are
satisfied that Grant is a X. N. By nature
if Colfax is one, by initiation, the ticket,
on the whole, must be a lovely one for the
adopted citizen, the Israelite, the Catholic
or the man who wears out his life to nav
gold interest on bonds untdred held by
those who ride in carriages while the tax
payer shoves a plane, plows corn, carries
. hod or does any other work not regarded
as honorable enough to bask in the
genial warmth of government eremption.
10 show how much Know Nothinrism
meant at the time of it's political ~incipien-
cy, we gve below what are said to be its
two leading oaths:
FIRST DEGREE.
In the presence of Almighty God and
these witnesses, you do solemnly promise
and swear that = X y YOU will not
vote, nor give your influence. for any man
Tor any office in the gift of the people, I'M
less ne pc an American born citizen, in
favor OF Americans ruling America, nor
if he be a Roman Catholic.
SECOND DEGREE.
In the presence Of Almighty God and
these witnesses, you do solemnly and sin.
cerely swear y y if it NAV be legal.
~ done, you will, when elected or appoint
cd to any official station comforting on YOU
the power to do SO, remove all foreigners,
aliens or Roman Catholic from Office or
place; and that you will in no case appoint
such to any Office or place in your gift.