A primary concern of the Know-Nothing movement in the 1850s was the
large number of Irish and German Catholics who were coming to the
United States. A concern they repeatedly professed was a worry that the
character of the country would be changed because they were coming
here. Lincoln said this: ``As a nation, we begin by declaring that `all men
are created equal.' We now practically read it `all men are created
equal, except Negroes.' When the Know-Nothings get control, it will
read `all men are created equal except Negroes, and foreigners, and
Catholics.' ''
When it comes to this, I should prefer immigrating to some country
where they make no pretense of loving liberty. Russia--oh, the
similarities are unbelievable--where despotism can be taken pure, and
without the base alloy of hypocrisy. That is the difference.
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