The Rock Island Argus., 1880-09-28
Illinois state Register, Sept. p, 1880.

Illinois State Register, Sept y, 1850.
In making a canvass for re. election as
governor of this state, Hon. s. NJ. CUL-
LON finds It expedient to appeal to Irish.
Afnsricans for their support on the ground
that he presided at the public reception of
PARNEBE in Chicago. TWAS quite proper
that he should do so being governor of
the state, and the distinguished visitor to
Illinois being the representative of = large
class of Irishmen who we're struggling for
relief from q cruel system of land tenure
and from laws which seem to American
citizens to be shockiugly barbarous. By
the effects Of these laws thousands of
Irishmen with their families had been
reduced to starvation and immediate
assistance was needed as well as radical
reform demanded. We give to Gov. Gull
LON fullcredit for adding the influence of
his personal and official presence to the
meeting, but he must. indeed, have been
cold hearted had he failed so 20 do.
1t was not supposed, however. at that
time that he expected to make political
capitaf out of the fact, or that he pro-
possd to use the cries of starving women
and children to assist his political ambi-
ton. Since he and his friends, however,
have chosen to bring the matter into the
campaign, we are forced to remind the
people of the state that sympathy for
Ireland was not shown BY him in 1854 for
instance, when he was member of the
American or know nothing order in this
city, whioh was founded for the express
purpose Of excluding all foreign born citi
zens and Catholics from Office. The
national platform of that party, adopted
Feb. 2lst. 1856, contains the following
planks:
I'd. Americans must rule America, and
40 mi oik ahn hn
selected for ali state. federal and munich
pai-of ofhSes, or government employment, in
preference to all others.
Och. A change in the laws of naturaliza-
tioD, making continued residence OF
twenty one years. of all not hereinbefore
provided for, an indispensable requisite for
citizenship hereafter, and excluding oil
paupers, and persons convicted of crime.
from landing upon our shores. but no
interference with the vested rights of for
eigners.
3. ID. CULLoM took the following obliga-
tion, viz: s.
%r- OBLIGATION.
In the presence Of Almighty God and
these witnesses, you, SHELBY III. CULLoM
do selemnly promises and swear. that
you will never betray any of the
them even to proper candidates. except
within lawful council of the order; that
you never will permit any of the secrets of
this society TO be written or in any other
manner made legible. except for the pur-
pose of official instruction: THAT
YOU WILL NOT VOTE, NOR GIVE
YOUR INFLUENCE FOR ANY MAN,
FOR ANY OFFICE In THE GIFT
OF TIE PEOPLE. UNLESS He BE
AN AMERICAN BORN CITIZEN.
IN FAVOR OF AMERICANS RULING AMERICA
NOR IF BE BE A ROMAN CATHOLIC; that
you will in all political matters. so far as
this order Is. s.concerned. comply With the
will OF tbs majority, though it may cen
fict with your personal preference, so
long as it does not conflict with the con-
stitution of the United States of America,
or that of the state in which you reside;
that you will not. under any cireumst-
ances, whatever, knowingly recommend
an unworthy person for initiation. nor
suffer st to be done. it IN your power to
prevent It: that you will not, under any
circumstances, expose the name of any
member OF this order. nor reveal the ex-
istence OF such an association; that you
will answer an imperative notice issued by
the proper authority; obey the command
OF the state council. president or his de-
pubJs WAAio aoOCmplCu ouCu uOkICSs AOu
respond TO the claim of a sign or a cry OF
the order, unless it be physically imposs-
ible. and that you will acknowledge the
the state council of-----ls the legislative
head. the ruling authority, and the SUI
preme tribunal of the order in the state of
-, acting under the jurisdiction of
the national council of the United States
of America
Binding yourself in the penalty of ex-
comunication from the order the forfei-
ture all intercourse with its members and
being denounced in all the societies of the
same. as a willful traitor to your God and
and your country.
And still later in the progress OF the
order the following:
oRLaGATIoN. 80
You. sHEIRY M. CuILuM, and each of
you. OF your own free will and accord. 10
the presence of Almighty God and these
witnesses. your left hand resting upon
your right breast. and your right hand ex.
tending to the Gag Of your country, do