The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-02-28
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Editorial Opinions ofthe Leading Journals
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KNow-NoTH1NG DEMONSTRATION.

KNOw-NOTHING DEMONSTRATION.
From the Harrisburg Patriot.
A public meeting was held in Pittsburg on
the evening of the Twenty-second of Feb
ruary for the ostensible purpose of sending
congratulations to the people of Italy on the
events which have lately transpired in their
country, but, in fact, to indulge In some old
fashioned abuse of the Catholics and their
creed. Pittsburg has had q reputation for
sectarian bigotry ever since its people hon
ored with the mayoralty one Joe Barker, a
vulgar and coarse street preacher. There
Know Nosbingism has won its proudest civic
victories. The meeting was an imitation of
the demonstration in New York in all but an
enlightened and liberal spirit. There was ap-
propriateness in the New York meeting,
and its enthusiasm was doubtless genuine,
inasmuch as it Immediately followed the i'm
portant event which it celebrated. These
people in Pittsburg serve up an unreasonable
cold collation.. Now when the houghts of
all others are turned towards France, the
ancient and true ally of this country in her
distress these sectalies of Pittsburg gather
together to abuse the Pope, and imagine they
are displaying unbounded zeal for religious
liberty. The struggle of the unfortunate
French for nationality and republic deeply
interests all lovers of liberty, while the event
IN fOm6 uOIo uehIlJ COnCOAhS HodlObS. NAC-
tor Emanuel's ambition finds qualification in
the restoration of Rome as the capital of the
new empire The Romans change Pho Mono
for q new master.
To expose the character of this demonstra-
tion against the Catholics it is only necessary
to mention the most active of its participants.
Besides the clergymen, the orators were
mostly radical politicians and ofice-holders
The president was MIR. Felix r. Brunot, o
male member of the Jellyby family. Among
the vice. presidents we notice the Hon. James
s. Negley and the Hon. James X. More
head, the latter of whom was early iden-
tilted with the Know-Nothing movement.
The Hon. Thomas Williams, being too
unwell to attend in person, asked leave
to print his speech. This pious radical
had much to say of the ignorance and
degradation of Catholic countries. He was
exceedingly happy in his ridicule of Catholic
professions, holidays, and relics, but we can
assure him that Joseph Barker, if living,
would have put the point with more vigor,
and with nearly as much elegance. With the
Rev. Stuckenburg, the Rev. Bittinger, the
Rabbi Naumberg, the Hon. Bucher Swope,
and the Hon. James l.. Graham, the Rev. and
Hon. Joseph Barker would have found him
self in congenial association. Such leash
as Thomas Williams, Joseph Barker, and
Bucher Swoope in full cry against
the Pope could hardly be discovered
in this country. MIR. Swoope is now United
States Attorney for the Western district of
Pennsylvania. He was one of the organizers
of Know-Nothing lodges in this State in 1854,
and so strong was his zeal in the cause that
ne stumped the State in 1857 in favor of
Hazlehurst, the candidate for Governor of
that Know-Nothing branch of the party which
was opposed to the election of David Wilmot.
OF course this meeting was a fine op-
portunity for the Hon. Bucher, and well
did he improve it. While rejoicing in Italian
union, he could indulge in denunciations OF
the Pope to his hearts content. The nature
of this meeting can be ascertsined from these
materials. The spirit which occupied the
breasts of such men as Thomas Williams and
Bucher Swoope pervaded it. 1t was a poor
attempt to cloak sectarian hate under pre-
tense of zeal for political and religious liberty
Among those participating in the meeting
were some who have given striking proof Of
their devotion to political and religious free
dom by taking an active part in the conven
tions which have met in this State for th,
purpose of demanding that Christianity b,
recognized in the Federal Constitution.