St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-04-05
kNOWNOTHiNGfsM TRIUMPH.
ANT

For the first time since the days of the
American, or KnownOtlling, party Sc
cret. religi0-political organization has
obtruded itself in our public affairs. and
has attained q temporary success. Since
the days of Kn0wnothingism our
country has passed through scenes of
danger and bleOdShed. In that great
struggle Professionals and Catholics stood
shoulder to shoulder fighting for their
common country, and Jew and Gentle
lay side by side in the sanguinary en-
brace OF death, willingly sacrificing
themselves that government of the
people. for the people and by the people
should not perish from the EARTH Cues
lions of nationality had small thought
in those days of peril. The Irishman
elbowed the EuglIshman in the
trenches; the German tented with the
Gaul. All were Americans with coIu-
mon purpose. and that the highest that
animaieS the human breast. TO per-
petuate the Union, and to blot out the
foul stain of slavery, was work worthy
OF the greatest sacrifices, and they were
cheerfully made
But in these days the memories of
the war are growing dim. and a political
party has come to the front the cardinal
tenet of whose faith is the prescription
of the very men who battled SO bravely
for the perpetuity of our government.
1t draws a line at religious belief, and
declares that whoever shall dare to diff
fer from il On affairs that concern the
future of the soul shall be fore yer de
barred from political office. 1t has not
the excuse of the Knownothing party
for existence. America for Amer
leans" cannot be Its rallying cry, for it
is an alien organization. composed
largely of foreign-bCrn citizens, stepped
in the darkness of ignorance, intoler-
ance and bigotry. Patriotism has no
place in its curriculum. It's god is the
god of hate; its weapons are those of
persecution: its councils are held in
secret, and its eGicts promulgated in
devious ways.
In the first pitched battle between
this organization and true Americanism
that in Milwaukee,. has triumphed.
A city long noted for its liberalty has
fallen prey to the most despicable of
all bigOtry; a city that has always de-
manded and accorded the largest liberty
OF conscience and conduct has capitu-
lated to narrow. selfish. un-Am erican
idea. and is now in the complete posses
sion of the worst foes of republican gov
eminent. There was no disguise of the
issue during the campaign which cul.
minated Tuesday by the election of the
entire A. p. A. ticket. 1t was distinctly
avOwed i'll the conventions of both par
ties. The Democracy. standing as ever
for freedom of thought in religion. de-
nounced the secret organization as for
elgn to our system OF government and
Subversiye or both civil aud religious
liberty; the Republicans commended 1t
as a praiseworthy manifestation of
Americanisnl. although knowing its for
eign inspiration and alien composition.
Times nave changed in Milwaukee
since the days of the old Knownothing-
ism. Then it was hazardous to ayow
ones self Knownothing: now it is
hazardous for man to refuse to &C
knowledge allegiance to the party that
has adopted the Accommodating creed.
Treason to the constitution is virtue
in these degenerate days, and. humiliat.
ing as the confession may he, it has be-
come reproach to man to advocate
the right of the citizen to subscribe 10
whatever religious dogma he may pre-
fer, and crime to assert the privileges
guaranteed him by our organic law.