The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1875-10-04
A NEW KNow-NoTHrNG MOVE
MENT.

paign, and the recent speech Of President
Grant at Desmoines, show that that party,
or the managing portion oft, is seeking
to raise an issue on school matters, and
to drag the religious preiudices of the
people into the contest. Republican ora
tors are now traversing Ohio, striving to
excite sectarian prejudice by ap-
peals to fanatical passion, and to spread
alarm upon the most unfounded pretexts.
Secret circulars, lodges, and all the aces
series of the old KNOWN Nothing organic
alton have been revived under the
auspices Of some Of the chiefs who were
conspicuous in that movement twenty |
years ago. when it was stamped out and
buried under general execration by the
American people. Now, it is directed
against q particular religious sect; but
that is only the corner stone of q crusade
Of bigotry against all adopted citizens, of
whatever cline or country. As the Re-
publican conventions of other states have
adopted the same cry, it is evident this
Know-Nothing revival was proconcerted.
1t is the last desperate expedient Of a
doomed party. -...
Since this partisan scheme has taken
such proportions, the country should know
how utterly false is the pretence upon
which it rests in Ohio, as that is the key
to the whole conspiracy. The exposure
of one part Of the plot applies with equal
force to all parts, since they cohere to-
gether, and are entirely destitute of foun-
datiop in truth or sincerity. With i'm
pending defeat In the state now, and the
prospect of overthrow in the Union next
year, the Republicans seek to divert atten-
ton from their corruptions and frauds, by
shouting at the top of their lungs 1.-THE
common schools are in danger, and the
Democrats are going to destroy theml"
Now, this cry is not only false in itself,
but in the state of Ohio neither party can
touch the school system without a change
in the constitution. Here are the exact
words:
ARTICLE q, Section 2.-The general assembly shall
make such provision, by taxation or otherwise, as
with the income arising from the school trust fund
will secure thorough and efficient system of COM
mon schools throughout the state but no retiSious
or other sect or sects shall eUer have any exclusive
rights to- or control Of, any part CT the school fund
OF this state"
The convention which framed this con-
stitution was Democratic in its political
majority, and was presided over by Will
lam Medill, afterward governor of the state.
1t was ratified by an overwhelming vote,
and the only opposition made to it on &C.
count Of this and other liberal provisions
came from the very men who to-day are
clamoring about common schools, which
they then sought to defeat by rejecting the
constitution!
This fundamental law of the state car
only be changed by amendment proposed
in the general assembly, which requires
three fifths of the members elected to eacl
house, or by calling constitutional con
vention, which requires vote of two
thirds of the members elected to eacl
house of the assembly. Without these
conditions the constitution stands as it i
until 1891.
1t is thus seen what the constitution
prescribes, and that to alter it would be
political impossibility in the existing stat
of parties, if any serious opposition shout
be made by either side, Of course no lav
in conflict with this instrument could stand
no matter how passed, or by whicheve
party that happened TO be temporarily i
the ascendent.
CRATIC PLATFORM OF JUNE II, 1875:
At the Ohio Democratic convention {
last June the following plank was made
part of the platform:
"ThirtseRth.-We favor the complete separate
OF church and state, religious Independence al
absolute freedom of opinion, equal and exact ju
tce to all religious societies, and purely secul
education at the expense OF the taxpayers, witho
division among or control by any sect, directly
In Sc, Oh ~, any h o. tne puolc scnooI run
constitution upon these subjects, which are due
the energy and wisdom Of the Democratic party,
denounce the Republican platform as an insult
the intelligence OF the people OF Ohio and q ba
appeal to sectarian prejudice"
Language could not be more explici
positive or authoritative than thisis. st
the clamor continued which had been go
ten up for partisan uses by trading DO
ticians who have betrayed every trust ar
corruptly employed every opportunity
fill their pockets with stolen money. Tn
denounce the so-called Geghan bill as
invention to destroy the schools and
uproot Christianity! The Inter Ocean, @
gan of Grant, Logan, Morton aud the a
ninistration, says
The Democrats Of Hamilton county, Ohio, hf
renominated Geghan for the legislature He Is
famous autho: Of the infamous "Geghan BILL"
signed to overthrow the comuton school system
Ohiotand TO placs the Catholics in charge Of
education OF children.
What the Geghan law has to do wi
the schools perhaps the Inter Ocean C
tell, but we doubt if the public can, He
is the law, introduced by Mr.. Geghs
and passed by the last legislature Of OH
IAN act to secure liberty of conscience in matt
OF religion to persons imprisoned, or detained
authority Of law.
Dig Of the state Of ohio. That as liberty of G.
science Is not forfeited by reason OF conyictlor
crime or by reason Of detention in any penal
fo-matory, or eleemosynary institution, or ,
house Of refuge, workhouse jail or public a
lum In this state no person in any such institut
shall be compelled to attend religious worship
instruction OF q form which Is against the dicta
Of his or her conscience; and 1t shall be dutl
every director, trustee, superintendent or OF
person having In charge any such institution.
furnish ample and equal facilities to all such p
sons for receiving the ministratons of the auth
lied clergyman OF their own religious denoml
lions or persuasions, under such rules and reg
tons as the trustees, directors, managers or sui
intendents allmake, but no such rules shall b.
construed as to prevent the clergyman of any