Newspaper Page Text
Xv
'From the Hartford Thi**, Jane Twentyjirat.
jjr *£, *An‘6xp!)siti6ni
Of the Principles a nd Power of the.
Know Nothing Order of Connecticut,
Founded on the Actual Experience of
Council No. 147, located in Lyme.
UNANIMOUS ACTION IN COUNCIL.
Whereas, The»St ate Council of Know
Nothings at its recent session in Nor-
which, in the grossest violation of its con
stitution and laws, by which it professes
to be governed, and contrary to every
decision founded upon evidence and jus
tice, did revoke the charter of this Conn
cil on the representation of the Prcsi-
dents of two other Councils in this town
Nos. 105 and 108—that a majority of
its members voted at the Spring election
in accordance with the dictates of their
own consciences without fear or favor of
anv man, therefore—
Resolved, That we can regard the
action of the State Council, in thus re
voking our charter without even notify
ing us of such intention, in no other light
than that of a base and tyrannical usur
pation of power, oppressive alike to ns
and every subordinate Council in the
State.
Resol red, That this action has fully
opened our eyes to the manifest deter
mination of the Order to crush out both
freedom of speech and action on the
part of its members; to utterly disre
gard its assurances and obligations, pro
fessedly made in good faith, whenever
it shall best suit its secret, dark and uu
hallowed purposes, and henceforth to re
gard no other law than of passionate
impulse and arbitrary proscription, which
has ever been the las-, resort of those
powers only, that have attempted to
shield the most gigantic wrongs under
the dangerous plea of necessity and ab
solute authority.
Resolved, That in our opinion, the
time has arrived for the alarm to he
sounded in the ears of the people of Con
necticut, and to inform them of the exis
tence of a secret order in their midst
which is striking a blow in the dark
against our institutions of civil and reli
gions liberty, and which, if suffered to
go on, will* destroy all we prize most
dear in religion, politics and morals.
Resolved, That we feel that we should
prove false to our obligations to God and
our country, if we were to keep silent at
such a time as this, and that we hereby
set forth to the people the following ex
position of the Order and the objections
which arise in our minds to the princi
ples of its organization and action:
On our admission to this Order, we
had given ns the solemn pledged assur
ance that no obligations would he im
posed upon us which would conflict with
those we had already' taken, and owed
to God, and our families. For the sole
reason that we acted as we were bound
to do under the Constitution of the State,
and that we honestly complied with our
sacred obligations as electors, we were
ejected from the Order, anathematized
as unworthy of respect, undeserving of
any confidence or trust in any business
transaction, and deserving only the
scorn and reproach of all good men.—
We were subjected to the most fearful
denunciations because w e would not sur
render up to this most accursed of all
despotisms our freedom of citizenship,
and degrade ourselves down to the igno-
for the spoils of office; and no means,
however desperate, are left -.untried to
compass this end.
The Order is engaged in a crusade
against religion, it revive* the old spirit
of persecution for opinion's sake, and of
course rallies round its standard thou
sands who are always more willing to
fight against Catholicism than to prac
tice their own jfrofessions. Odious reli
gious tests which have been successfully
reasoned down and removed from tlio
statute of onr State, are speedily drag;
ged from tlieir loathsome tomb ^ ancl
quickened into life. No Catholic is to
be tolerated, no matter how sincerely
he may revere his Maker; he is to hold
no office in the gift of the people, have
no part in the government nor interests
in any of its concerns, while the atheist,
deist, debauchee, infidel, mormon or
buddhist is recognised as a good and
worthy brother.
They have fearful apprehensions that
the Catholic Church will soon over-rule
and possess the country, to the ruin
alike of republicanism and religion—and
all this too when that Church is in the
most rapid decline in the old country,
and while it is only continuing in its
folds a moiety of those who reach our
shores strong in their attachment to its
cause! these apprehensions, then, arc
justice and good sense of the nation will
soon discover the groundless character of
the suspicion thrown upon the fidelity of
Catholics, whose religion teaches them
to respect and maintain the established
order of society, under whatsoever form
of government they may be placed.—
Brethren, let the light of yonr example
shine before men that they may see your
good work and glorify your Father who
is in heaven.’ Pray for the conversion
and salvation of all men, for this is the
will of God, who desires that all men
may be saved and may come to the
knowledge of the truth.
Given under onr hands, in the Provin
rial Council at Baltimore, the 12th day
of May, in the year of onr Lord 1855.
t Francis Patrick, Archbishop of Balti
more.
t Richard Vincent, Bishop of Wheeling,
f Michael, Bishop of Pittsburg,
t John, Bishop of Richmond.
tJohn Nepomucene, Bishop of Philadel
phia.
t .Tosua, Bishop of Eric.
John Barry, Administrator of Savannah
P. N. Lynch. D. D., Adm’r of Charleston
A Methodist Clergyman's Opinion of
Know Nothingism
We find in the last number of the
Mississippian a letter from the Rev
entirely unfounded in fact and opposed Tucins Garrett upon the subject of Know
to common sense. It is only a trick ol V ll .
cratly political managers to bring to then-
aid the religious element of tlieir coun
try, while it is generateing dissesions,
sectarian animosities, and the rankest
minions servitude of wearing a mastiff's facts; no argument is needed to add to
intolerance.
History and experience alike teach
that no people were ever persecuted for
opinion’s sake without coming out ^ in
the end, vastly increased in numerical
strength and public favor. It is a say
both old and true, in all ages, “The
blood of the martyr is the seed of the
Church.” No form of religion lias
been put down by persecution ot its pro
fessors.
The Order swears its members never
to vote for a foreign horn citizen to fill
any office in the gift of the people.—
Thus birth-place rather than virtue and
intelligence is made a qualification for
;daces of trust and responsibility!—
IVhat an absurdity is here! The Know
Nothing principles and practice would
elevate a Benedict Arnold to the Presi
dency, and at the same time proscribe
such men as Lafayette, Hamilton, Mont
gomery, Gates, Steuben, DcKalb, Moul
trie, St. Clair, Morris, and a host of no
ble and gallant men who freely spent
tlieir treasure and slied tlieir blood in
our glorious struggle for liberty. And
are the people of Connecticut prepared to
adopt such principles as these ? princi
ples which are at war with the machine
ry of the American Government! We
have too much confidence in their intel
ligence and honor to believe that they
will long submit to this great wrong.—
We feel confident that there are at this
time, thousands in the Order who are
similarity situated to ourselves and who
already see that its influence is for evil
and only evil upon every interest of our
country. We know of many in other
parts of the State who feel with us in
this matter, and who are resolved to
come out and wash their hands of this
foul and disgraceful business.
The foregoing is a brief statement of
collar.
In view of sncli things, what honest
man would contend that any obligations
which might be impose! by the Order
are in tlie least binding r r entitled to one
moment’s respect ? Who would not go
one step farther and say,-that man is
guilty of perjury in the highest degree
who would act with the Order against
his own honest convictions?
We believe if the parent fir such a
>anscr disowns the offspring, the obliga-
ion to keep the secrets of such a parent
s forever absolved, and the light of day
should be permitted to penetrate into
the dark recesses of this institution, so
worthless and at the same time so dan
gerous and destructive to the genius
of American institutions. It is in war
fare against the whole machinery of a
republican government.
It has enticed the people from their
homes in the still hours of darkness, and
at its numerous places of meeting bound
them to its foul and fearful purposes by
administering the most horrid oaths, with
one hand resting on the Bible, and the
other raised to Heaven, to yield them
selves unreservedly to the control of this
secret power, and even to deny to their
families and the world lhat they hold
connection with the Order. No person
is permitted to hold an opinion
which has not the sanction of the self-
constituted mouth-pieces of the party.—
Within this temple of superstition Sir
Oracle reigns supreme. The devotee
who worships at his shrine is completely
unmanned. He no longer feels nor acts
his former self. In secret ho steals
away like a conspirator to the place
whet© the most inveterate hatred is en
gendered against the descendants and
countrymen of those brave men whose
heroic valor assisted in achieving the
liberties which we now enjoy. In the
same manner, and often at the hour of
midnight, he gropes his w ay back to his
family again to repeat the hundred times
told lie no connection with this Or
der. So much falsehood in tlie family
circle, where the utmost confidence,
truthfulness, and harmony should exist,
has a direct tendency to produce suspi
cion and mistrust on the part of wives
and mothers towards their husbands and
sons; hence we find in every town where
a council exists, the female portion of
the community are speaking oat boldly
their moral indignation against an Order
whose influence is so manifestly baneful
upon all who are connected with it,'
whether nearly or remotely.
He who does not here behold the sure
workings of demoralization and ruin,
must indeed be a poor moralist.
But all these are evils of small magni
tude and consideration when compared
with some other gigantic wrongs with
which it labors to corse our land. The
scattering of a few pieces of red paper
of a peculiar shape obliges every “broth
er” to arm himself with u bowie-knife
and revolver, or other deadly weapons,
and follow the beck of their leader, even
to the shedding of blood. The Cincin
nati, Louisville, St, Louis and other
fearful and bloody Know Nbthings riots
are but the legitimate workings of tlie
Order, and but the beginning of such
scenos as' were enacted on the -soil - of
rf France under Red Republican rale.
Those who control and manage the
■flaws of thie oerrnpt concern arc in St
its forco or develop more clearly tlie
character of an organization which, while
its ostracizes all those bom in a foreign
land, draws into its toils thousand of hon
est and unsuspecting Americans, and
then attempts to reduce them to a con
dition of servitude, strip them of their
individuality, degrade them to the po
sition of mere machines, and compel
them, at the bidding of tlieir masters, to
disobey the dictates of tlieir consciences,
surrender tlieir own thoughts into the
keeping of others, and violate their own
oaths of allegiance to the state of which
they are citizens.
Others may choose to submit to sncli
atrocious despotism; but as for ourselves
wo denounce it as contrary tc the genious
of onr institutions, at war with freedom
of thought, and deserving the open de
nunciation of every true American.
Resolved, That tlie officers and mem
bers of this Council affix tlieir names to
the above.
Resolved, That the papers in this
State, opposed to this organization, are
hereby requested to publish the forego
ing. . B. P. HILL, President.
Daniel S. Swan, Marshal.
Ciiables A. Tiffany, Istmctor.
[Here follow sixty-seven names.]
Roman i’atholic Address,
The following is the closing sentence
of the address of the Roman Catholic
Bishops at the Conference recently held
in Baltimore:
Beloved Brethren of the Laity, we em
brace you all with paternal affection, and
entreat yon to walk circumspectly, for
the days are evil. You know ’what
manner of precepts we have given vou
in the name of the Lord Jesus; for this
is the will of God, your sanctification.—
Bo peaceful, sober, just and faithful in
the performance of all duties toward all
mankind. Practice patience, forbear
ance, charity toward all. In the exer
cise of yonr rights as free citizens, re
member your responsibility to God and
act as freemen, but not as having liberty
as a cloak for malico, bat as the servants
of God. Respect and obey the consti
tuted authorities; for power is from God,
and they that resist, resist the ordinances
of God and purchase for themselves dam
nation.
To the General and State Government
you owe allegiance in all that regards
the civil order; the authorities of the
Church challenge your obedience in the
things of salvation. We have no need
of pressing this distinction, which you
fully understand and constantly observe.
You know that we have uniformly taught
you, both publicly and privately, to per
form all the duties of good citizens, and
that we have -never exacted of yon,
as we ourselves have never made,
even to the highest ecclesiastical author
ity, any engagements inconsistent with
the duties we owe to the country and its
laws. On every opportune occasion we
have avowed these principles, and even
in oar communications to the late Pontiff
we rejected as a calumny the imputation
that we were’in civil matters subject to
this authority. Bo not disturbed at the
mis-statements of onr tenets which are
daily made, or at the effort to deprive us
of our civil rights and of the confidence
and esteem of our fellow-citizens.
Formidable as is the combination for
purpose, we dojaot&wpob that As
Nothings. The same journal, 6peakin
of tlie writer of the letter, savs liis locks
arc whitened with the frostj of eighty
winters, and for sixty years a member
of the Methodist Church, he has consc
crated his talents in the pulpit to the
service of the living God. This vener
able patriarch, trembling, os he says, on
the verge of the grave, speaks
voiee of warning to his countrymen, and
above all to his brethren of the church
in the name of all that is noble and sa
cred in religion, to be ware of the insid
ions secret organization of Know Noth
ingism which aspires to the control of
the government and to mould the desti
tty of the country. He points out tlie
consequences to civil and religious liber
ty of the the mingling of religion with
politics, and the conversion of tlie
church which was instituted for exalt
cd purposes, into a mere political instm
iricnt. When a Protestant clergyman
venerable in years, admired for liis rare
abilities, and beloved for his unaffected
piety makes such an appeal with the
truth and candor which is in keeping
with tlie records of a long and well-spent
life, we may well hope that his voice
will not be unheeded, and that true
cliristians of every denomination will
pi;usc and reflect on the inevitable re
suits which must flow from tlie growth
and triumph of a party originating in the
hot-beds of New England Fanaticism
based upon religions intolerance, strik
ing at tlie rights of conscience,and warring
upon tlie sacred character of our lib
ernes.
Vernon, Mississippi, 1
May Sth, 1855, j
To E. Barksdale, Esq.
Dear Sir:—Yonr kind letter of 4th
inst., was received. Although seques
teied from a busy world and stand
ing as upon the verge of life, I have read
much and thought much upon the signs
of the times; and the fearful omens of
disaster to the civil and religious freed-
dom and equal rights, by cunningly
devised secret political intrigue, for such
I esteem tlie novel organization called
Know Nothingisin.
Upon a careful analysis, T judge that
Know Nothingisin, or ‘the Order of tlie
Stars and Stripes,’ contains tlie following
revolting features:
1st. It presumes to set up ‘religious
tests,’ in opposition to the Constitu
tion of tlie United States.
2d. It is adverse to the known senti
merits and principles of the father of his
country, and the patriots of the revo
lution, as it regards freedom and equal
rights.
3d. It savors of political intrisn.
fraught with mischief, being insidious,
sly and circnmventive.
4tli. It coalesces or affiliates with abo
litionism and other isms, and is inimical
and dangerous to the institutions and
rights of the Southern states. This hy
dra headed monster resorts to conceal
ment. and seeks to gain advantages nn-
der false pretences. It avails itself of
that; odious featnre of corrupt human na
ture, to wit, religious bigotry, intolerant
proscription, and murderous persecu
tion.
This nglv featnre in degenerate hu
man nature began to be developed at an
carlv period of the world’s historv.—
Abel was the first victim of its prey,
and Cain the great inqnisitor or execu
tioner. It seems, too, that Cain was the
first ‘Know Nothing,’ for when he was
asked—‘Where is Abel thy brother?
he answered,—‘I know not.’ Alas for
poor human nature!
To adduce evidence of the rages of
the fell spirit of religions bigotrv and in-
tolerance, and the secret machinations
of political demagogues in concert with
it, wonld be to write volumes, and to
portray Iranian nature in its most hide
ous forms.
. I witnessed the mistaken zeal of abo
litionists for half a cetnry in the Metho
dist Church, and relentless strife,
until it divided the Church, and severed
the sacred bonds of Christian union and
fellowship.
But this mischevous ism was pretty
much confined to the clrarch or churches
—it had not, until recently, been
strengthened and emboldened by an al
liance with political demagogues who
can borrow ‘the livery of heaven to
serve the devil in.’
The ministers of religion are but men,
and have rights and interests in com
mon with other ihen. They have a
right to their political as well as reli
gious^ views. But they have their ap?
propriate work——to become noisy poli
ticians, and especially to he identified ®°*
with a secret political organization, is to
defile their garments and forfeit the con
fidence of the church.
Although devoted to the Christian
Ministry for sixty years, I have not
been indifferent to, or unobservant of
passing events—of men and measures.
I have witnessed the gathering storm,
which seemed to angur ruin to onr ham
P7 Union and free institutions, but 1
view the secret organization now in pro
gress, the most mischieyions and dan"flr-
ons device of all.
Very respectfully,
~ L, GARRETT.
Proscriptive Organizations!
The thirteen States which seceded
from the Philadelphia convention of
Know Nothings, and set up a political
creed of their own, included in it the
doctrine of hostility to Roman Catholics,
and exclusion of all foreigners from cer
tain offices. The Know Somethings who
have just adjourned in Ohio left out the
the doctrine of political discriminations
against foreigners but proclaimed the
Popery clause. Tne regularly organized
Know Notfiihgs who carried the conven
tion in Philadelphia, reaffirmed also the
Catholic test, though it casts off from
them a large class iu two of the slave-
holding States, (Maryland and Louisi
ana,) whom some of the leadei-s wished
to save for the uses of Gie order.
These political organizations had their
origin in the Irish lodges of Orangemen,
which were transplanted here, and in
the provinces of Canada, some years
ago. The anti-Popery feature is the in
dication of their common parentage of
this diverse blood. They arc, therefore,
“foreign ” in origin, as they are alien in
feeling and purposes to the true republi
can sentiment of America, But they
have ceased to he dangerous. The very
facility with which they are foimed and
multiplied is fatal to their perpetuity.—
Everywhere throughout these orders
there is division. In vain they seek unity
in this State hv expelling 30,000 subor
dinate:’ who voted last fall against tlie
decree of the order. It was as caRy to
create :\ new order as it was to call the
old one into being. We shall soon
then, have a swarm of these secret or
ganizations, with the absurd titular hier
archy Mighty Serene, Inexpressibly
Grand, Mighty Grand, Past Grand,Very
High Scribe, See., which seems to form
the attraction of the order.
But the very prolific nature of these
creations shows how short they arc des
tined to live. The analogy it these mat
ters holds good, that tlie lowest form of
life, the insects, the ephemera, have
this facility of reproduction, and that
a breath unmakes them, as a breath
lias made.”
The worm flint suffers mincimr into par's,
Mny (nroiit forth hoods mid tails, but grows no
hearts.
From the Hartford Times.
Tote Know Nothing or be Branded.
Mr. Editor:—I was not at all sur
prised to learn from yonr Norwich cor
respondent that a Know Nothing council
in Lyme Was disbanded by the State
council for'tlie reason that its members,
or a good portion of them, voted the
Democratic ticket. I know something
of the tyranny which prevails in the
Know Nothing Order in relation to vo
ting. The freeman who joins one of
these councils and dares to vote as he
pleases, will most assuredly be persecu
ted, for yon know that one of their
modes of pnnisliment is to point the
finger of scorn upon proscribed mem
bers—^-to post their names in other coun
cils about the country, and brand them
as unworthy of confidence as bnisness
men or citizens. It is an inquisition
no cruel ns that of Spain in its worst
days. I witnessed the expulsion of
Mr. Woodford in this city, a few weeks
ago, for the. reason that he voted the Dem
ocratic ticket in the city election. So
we have on record two cases of Know
Nothing vengeance—the one which an
individual was proscribed for voting in
dependently. and the other in which an
entire eonnc.il of about 75 members
were disbanded, for doiug the same
thing.
I have learned to join a Know Noth
ing council is to surrender tlie inde
pendence of a freeman, and to bring
one under humiliating subjection to a
set of corrupt managers who work in
tlie dark, .n short, it is to help into
renewed life the bitterest and most ty-
ranical sort of Whig eery. Democrats
who like to do drudgery of that kind,
and be spit upon if they do not. are wel
come to the service. I am out.
Once a Know-Nothing
Another Religions Crusade.
Some clerical fool, struck with tlie
imaginary success of tlie crusade against
the Oatliolics.-iSqys the New York Na
tional Democrat, lias opened liis batteries
upon the Methodist Episcopal Church.—
He is intensely American. He proposes
in a course of lectures to show that the
Methodist Church is hostile to our Re
publican Government, and at war with
our institutions. Price of admission on
ly 25 cents. Let the Universalist and
Unitarians be on the lookout. Their
time will come. Some among us.think
they are worse than tlie Catholics. Set
tle the principle fairly, and we may yet
enjoy a Star Chamber at Washington.
Of the first lecture of this “clerical
fool,” we have a synoptical report in the
Herald:
The Argument of the Speaker was
entirely one of critical reference to the
internal constitution of Episcopal Meth
odism, which lie denounced as a system
framed for the especia*l and exclusive
benefit of self-constituted and authorita
tive priests. He affirmed that it places
power in the irresponsible hands of tho
“preacher,” any member, however inno
cent of moral criminality, being liable to
expulsion, if the offender object to any
feature limiting the prerogatives of the
priesthood.
These positions the lecturer endeavored
to substantiate from an examination of
the fundamental constitutions of Episco-
ial Methodism. But we did not think
tewas eminently successful.
From the Federal Union.
Know Nothing Platform Expounded.
AND ITS HIEROGLYPHICS DECIPHERED.
1. Resolved, That there is a God 1
2. Resolved, That we should love our
country.
Resolved, We are for the Union first
—and everything else afterwards.
4. Resolved, As we have justly been
suspected heretofore of faithfulness to the
Constitution, we must hereafter obey the
Constitution.
5. Resolved, That any honest immi
grant—who is not too poor-and who can
prove that he loves liberty and hates op
pression—will be received and protected
in a friendly way.
6. Resolved, That the Naturalization
Laws—must he altogether modified—
(so as to prevent any foreign born citi
zen from ever voting in this country—we
suppose.)
7. Resolved, That we are opposed to
the corrupt means used by any other
party hut ourselves—and that we are
disgusted by the wild hnnt after office
manifested by any one who don’t belong
to our Order, and further, over the left,
that no one ought to hold office—hut
it should be offered to every Know Noth
ing.
8. Resolved, That no Roman Catho
lic—or any one born, educated and
trained out of the United States, shall
ever have any office in the country, and
that we arc opposed to any one religious
sect getting tlie ascendency over any
other except tlie Roman Catholics; and
we don’t care how much they are perse
cuted.
9. Resolved, That we are opposed to
any hut pure Know Nothings being sent
to Congress.
10. Resolved, That tlie executive pat
ronage must he entirely restricted to
Know Nothings.
11. Resolved, That the youth of the
country shall only be educated in State
schools, further—
Resolved, That tlie Bible is a good
hook.
12. Resolved, That the South are in
favor of their own rights.
13. Resolved, That me must arbitrate
difficulties with weak nations—and whip
strong ones
14. Resolved, That our members arc
at liberty to tell wliat every body knows,
and keep dark every thing else.
Thnrsday, :::::: July, 5, 1855.
FOR GOVERNOR,
ROW IIERSCHEL V. JOHNSON,
Of Baldwin.
foFcongress,
1st Dial.—James I,. Sfwnrd, of Thomas.
3d “ James HI. Smith, of Upson.
4th “ Hiram Warner, of Meriwether.
Sth <• John II. Lumpkin, of Fiord.
6th “ Howell Cobb, of Clark.
Gov. Cobb's Appointments.
Tlie Hon. Howill Cobb will address the people
at tlie following places, on tho days attached to
each:
Jefferson, Jackson connty, 6th July.
Gaiuesville, Hall county, Saturday 7th July.
Campaign Paper.
We will furnish the Southern Banner to
Campaign Subscribers until the third Thurs
day in October at the following rates:
f3T The cash must in every case accom
pany the order, to secure attention:
1 Copy 50 cts.
6 Copies 2 00
“ 4 00
12
30
10 00
A Distinguished Visitor.
Edmond Lafayette, grandson of the
Mart/in's DeLafayette, so distinguished
as the brave and generous champion of
American Independence,has been spend
ing a few days in Delaware with the
DuPonts, who were the early frietids of
the General. The Washington Journal
says:
In company with a few friends, he
lias visited all the places of interest in
the vicinity; one of his earliest visits
being to the scene of the battle of
Chadd’s Ford, in which his ancester first
shed his blood in our cause. The very
spot upon which the General was stand
ing when he was pointed ottt by some of
the old residents.
Mr. Lafayette is about 28 years of
age, of fine countenance and engaging
manners. He bears somo rcsemblace to
liis grandfather, though a much hansom-
er man.
California Intelligence.—New
Orleans, June 22.—Advices from San
Francisco, to the 1st inst, by the Daniel
Webster, state that the central Commit-
the of the Democratic parties had agreed
ignore past quarrels and call a Con
vention on ihe 27th Inst., to nominate
Executive officers. The Democrats
have elected the Mayor of San Francis-
The other officers of the Council are
equally divided with the Know Noth
ings.
Editorial OtfAktiEs.—Mr. A. K.
Moore has 'retired from the Savannah
Republican, and is succeeded by J. R.
Sneed, Esq., who is already favorably
known as the Ute Editor of the Wilkes
Republican.
Mr. S. E. Coburn; the efficient and
esteemed editor of the Rome Courier,
has disposed of his interest in that pa
per to Mr. S. Oi Raley, ’ whom we cor
dially welcome into the editorial
brotherhood. When will these cdh
forial changes have attend?-
Was hington, May 30, 1855.
To the Editor o f the Union:
Sir : Understanding that there are
many members of tlie know-nothing
councils in this city who are anxious to
tender their resignations, but who, hav
ing assumed only the first degree are ig
norant of the officially-prescribed form of
doing so, I have respectfully to request
that von wil publish, for their informa
tion and benefit, the following undoubt
edly authentic
Form of Resignation :
iTo the officers and members of the——
ward council:
“Gentlemen : 1 hereby tender my re
signation as a member of your order,
and am,
“Very respectfully,
‘Mr. ,
Secretary (or president, as the case
may he) of the ward council.”
The person resigning may, if he choose,
give his reasons for so doing; but the
above form, brief and simple as it is,
will be sufficient to release ainemberfrom
his obligations, whether the resignation
be accepted or not.
The note should; as above indicated,
be addressed to tlie secretary of the
council; or to the president of tho
same.
ONE WHO KNOWS.
The above will be of sen-ice to many
in the South.
The Frst Response to the Philadelphia
Know Nothing Platform.
At the election for chief justice of
Louisiana, which was held on Monday
last, the state of the poll in New Orleans
was as follows:
Elgec, anti-know-nothing 3,415
Merrick, know nothing 2,237
Anti-know-notliing majority 1,178
An anti-know nothing majority of
eleven hundred and seventy-eight, and an
anti-know-nothing gain since the last
election of over three thousand ! This
is fitting response to the platform of
principles just concoted by the sonnd
Hartford convention.
The Methodist Church South has
just published the tenth annual report of
the Missionary Society, from which we
learn that the Society has under care
3G3 missions, 311 missionaries,. 123
churches, 79,050 church members, 115
Sunday schools, 25,034 children under
religious instruction, 9 manual labor
schools, and 4S5 Indian pupils.
Judge Warner and The Know
Nothings.—Judge Warner publishes a
card iu the Atlanta Intelligencer in whieh
he declares that he is not nowand never
hits been g member of the Know Nothing
party, “or of any other secret organisa
tion whatever, political, or otbpnwo*”
He says: lam opposed to gjl secret
oath-hound political qrgapireijpns in this
country, for reason? jyhicli J shall en
deavor to e$plaip to the popple of the
Fourth Congressional District during th.e
approaching political canvass.”
The Peruvian newspapers and public
are busily discussing the question of re
ligious toleration, which the majority ap
pear to be oppqeed to,.
Churches and Know Nothingisin.
That the Know Nothings have waked into
life the dangerous elements ot religious strife,
we have each day accumulating evidence.—
In the Gubernatorial campaign in a neigh
boring State, there seems often lost sight of,
tht question, “ Is he honest, is he capable,
is he faithful?” while you have plenty of
remarks upon the religious opinions of the
candidates. There, while the K. N. nominee
endeavors to awaken Protestant prejudices,
he is charged himself with having been a
patron of a Catholic Female School. A
K. N. Editor to show his independence, says,
while himself a strong Methodist, he goes
for one raised by Baptist parents, etc.; but
why necessary to state these things ? Why-
drag Religion into the arena of Politics ?—
Why speak of the martyrs burnt at Smith-
field, unless you wish to raise the feeling of
the masses to burn so many Catholics to
atone for them. Why harrow the soul with
recital of the horrible massacre of St.
Bartholemew in France, unless to prepare
one religious sect in America to enact the
same things towards those who worship God
in a different manner. This is bnf the be
ginning. Where is the end ? Protestant, or
what faith, the question of Religious Liberty
in America towards every Church is one and
indivisible. Strike but one, and the whole
principle is gone. Build a ruling parly,
with this oath in their mouth, “never to give
your vote or influence for any office,” to a
Roman Catholic, and swear to remove these
wherever you have the power; and though
you may conscientiously think you are en
deavoring to put down evil doctrines, yet,
while you airn a blow at your neighbor, it is
one which also falls upon yourself, Is it hu
man nature for two or three millions of be
lievers in a Religious Faith to be proscribed
and rest quietly under it? VV’ill they not,
should they not seek modes of redress?—
Will not this involve other Churches, raise
excited feelings which will proceed to acts of
violent persecution which K. N’s. do not
now dream of or wish. The Protestant
Churches will fight among themselves, as
we have already some indications; and in
stead of Charity and brotherly love filling
the land, and deference to our neighbors’
faith, the Churches will be but the camps of
hatred, heart-burnings, wars. It well be
hooves the patriot to look to the u'timate
tendency of these dangerous feelings—
“ large streams from little fountains flow,"
Some see these facts in their true light.—
The Pittsburg Synod of the Lutheran
Church have passed the : og Resolu
tion :
“Resolved, That, in the judgment of this
Presbytery, the principles of our Church ex
cludes from communion the members of the
secret Society, called Know Nothings, and
the members of all such societies, and that
the Presbytery direct sessions to enforce
this opinion."
That, the Catholics are not the only ones,
but only the first which tho spirit of persecu
tion, assisted by infidelity, has begun its
warfare upon in America, we have an ex
ample in their conduct towards the Metho
dist Church. Read this extract:
“ Politico Religious.—On the 11th inst.,
the members of the Methodist E. Church,
assembled in mass meeting, at Centerville,
Monroe couuty, Va., to take into considera
tion a let.er recently written to the Richmond
Enquirer, charging that tho niPinbero of that
and other Churches of the Baltimore Con
ference, were controlled in their votes by the
Church. The meeting pronounced the state
ment false, asserted their belief that the au-
thoi was aware of its falsity, and recom
mended him to the various Churches of the
Conference in Yirgina, as a fit subject of
prayer to God that Tie might * dispense him
light both spiritual and intellectual.’"
Here is a denomination, upon whom the
charges that their rotes are controlled by
their Church has become so serious, that a
mass meeting is called to refute it.
Tht war i$ only begun. Other denomina
tions would fall in turn before the Evil Spirit,
that Barker, and Buntline, and secret oath-
bound Orders have raised. Methodists, read
the warning letter of Judge Longstreet.
Men of every Church who desire to see qw
tinued Freedom of Religious opinion,
touch not the Unclean thing of Know Non
thinglsm,
Stand or FaU by onr Principles.
The Democratic party stand on the prj nc ;
pie of the Kansas and Nebraska bill; ,,,* '
right of a people to determine their
mode of government and institutions, “3^*
ter sovereignty,” whieh the statesma/
North, East, South and West can boldi’’
advocate, is a doctirnc whieh practically
and will settle the “ great vexed question •»
in this Republic. Men Sooth an<l Xott^
may differ in opinion upon the- abstract n a
of Slavery; but if we can onite hi a conm*,
practical solution all is well. The Nation,)
Democrats at the North, who are for this Bil
act on this principle, and we stand by tht !a
The rights of minorities are protected by ,1,,
recognition of certain great principles.
But in a late Know Nothing address
the speaker, who informed us that
“commanded a battalion” of Sam’s, after
mentioning ambiguously the Missouri Con.
promise, said that he was in favor of tho
Nebraska and Kansas Bill. So far very
good, but upon what ground does a Southern
man supposo^he was—because “if oais’i
the game, / want the South to get her short,"
Are not such ideas fataljto the South, to tks
perpetuity of this U nion ? Are we who k-.s
in a minority in Congress, but have by th*
sheer justice of principle obtained our rights
in the territories to say now that, “grab's tht
game." How many square inches Would a frei-
soil majority grant us?
If this is the plar.k K. N’s. offer the Soatb
to stand upon, she goes down asm mill-stone
dropped in the water. If this is tlie feast to
which we are invited, at the first public ex*
hibilion, better go back to the secrecy of the
Lodges. The gcntlcm says he is in favor of
the Kansas Bill—truly has it good reason at
the South to exclaim, “ Save me from my
friends.”
People of Georgia, only look at this can.
didly, be you Democrats, or K. N’s., or
Temperance men, or of any party. ' Ren
is the Kansps question, surpassing in impor.
tance, touf, all others. And what does a K.N,
speaker—one chosen to command, for so he
tells us—offer to yon for your support toyoor
conscience and intellect in the maintainanc*
of that which we have declared ourseWei
ready to fight fur to the knife? You cer
tainly expect some great abiding principle
in which the sacrifice of your life would be
an honor. No; Know Nothingism throws
it all on the grab game. In the wonderful
developemant of America, there are great
events to be met; Cannot a party exist
which, when we ask for bread, shall not of
fer to a minority the stone of grab, and can
give us such statesmen as shall see beyond
the single day, the course necessary to bo
pursued by a great and powerful nation.
The Exposition,
Know Nothings themselves, an entire
Council of them, are denouncing the tyrany
and despotism of the Order. Let every mao
read “ An Exposition” in another column,
made by sixty-seven members of Council
No. 147, in Lyme, Connecticut. Preserve
the piece and show it to your neighbor!.
They who have been in the “Mystic Order,’ 1
and have a right to know its workings, thus
speak of this organization :
“ It draws into its toils thousands of hon
est and unsuspecting Americans, and then
attempts to reduce them to a condition of
servitude, strip them of their individuality,
degrade tnem to the position of mere ma-
ch nea^and compel them, at the bidding of
their masters, to disobey the dictates of their
consciences, surrender their own thoughts
into the keeping of others, and violate their
own allegiance to the State of which they
are citizens.” "
Can any one, now outside consent to sac-
riffice his individuality, his freedom of ac
tion to such a sworn organization of office
seeking sin ill politicians.
Many a spirited man, we have no doubt,
now writhes under the oaths he has taken,
and feels the net—obedience to thecornrnand
of others—keeping him ever down. Tfiua
they speak:
“No person is permitted to hold an opin
ion which has not the sanction of the self-
constituted mouth pieces of the party.—
Within this temple of superstition. Sir Ora
cle reigns supreme. The devotee who wor
ships at its shrine is completely unmanned.
He no longer feels nor acts his former self.” .
But dare to thiak and vote for yourself, and
your good name is branded and denounced.
Shall such things be.
We must make another extract, to call
z-ttention tn this document, which, wher ever
read must ex ercise a wonderful influence:
“ On our admission to this Order, we had
given us the solemn pledge and assurance
that no obligations would be imposed upon
us which would conflict with those we had
already take,*, and owed to God and our
families. For the sole reason that we acted
as we were bound to do tinder the Constitu
tion of the Slat?, and that we honestly com
plied with our sacred obligations as electors,
we were rejected from the Order, anathema
tized as unworthy of respect, undeserving of
any confidence or trust in any business
transaction, and as deserving only tho scorn
and reproach of all good men. We were
subjected to the most fearful denunciations
because we would not surrender up to this
most accursed of all despotism, our freedom
of citizenship, and degrade ourselves dowq
to the ignominious servitude of wearing a
mastiff's collar.”
As we said, after roadig it, show it to your,
friends. The testimony if the strongest an<]
most positive. The days of the dark ‘Order?
are numbered—an organization, as said by
its own members, “arrayed in warfare
against the whole machinety of a Republics!)
Government,”
Great Reaetion-^Deaiocntcy Trium
phant.
Nojrtolk, ya., which about onp mpnth ago
gayelhe Ifnoyt Nothing Flournoy 365 ma
jority, has just elected a staunch Democrat
as Mayor, by 74 majority. The pro*crititrvp
Sam js dying everywhere,
New Orleans, carried sometime since bj
Know Nothings, jf&sgobp for tl/e Democrats
by 1178 majority ; a gain of 3000.
$an Ffanciico, oqpe Ki>o\y Npti/ing, has
just elected a Democratic Mayor. Sam ie
going out fester than he sprang up. The
South will kill dead, dead, any such North
ern fafipertatjoq. ‘
Georgia a Fait on the Pla tform of
Whatever division there may be in is opt
Stole among politicians as to some principles,
and the election of this or that man, there i»
one question the “ paramount time of the
day,” upon which we are one peqpfe. Thp
Democratic Convention of June $t)j t
* the American Union secondary pnjy }n im
portance to the rights and principles it was
designed to perpptqafe, g^vp their unqualified
adhesion to the 4th Rksolotiox—Gzobou
Platform,” apd expressed their “unalterar
ble determination to maintain it in its letter
and spirit.”' That is’tho true doctrine. Tha
Corner Stgne at Columbus wanted to know if
any other than the Colyndnts Times, would
pledge himself to stand by it in eveiy eft
tremity. The Atlanta Intelligencer, iu »
strong article says he is opej as also
the Augusta Constitutionalist fa fat ten
selves this is the last Utfc—^tjj Resolution-i
we wish to see drawn pp paper, and upon
this subject ii Sink or pjpjm^Jive or die,”
we plant pprtelye? ppon anij S°
Every Geprgian ip ip lipart ppd piind cpmr
mittedto it When that is traippled ujio/J,
we know that they at» prepared id Flft