Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-06-13
Know No h,ns,.m and Democracy.


triumphs of the Know Nothngs The Washington
Satinel, the Enquirer, the Southside Democrat and
host of other administration prints sorcly excr-
cised upon the subject and appear to be altogether
nconsoable.. To correct all misapprchensons on thei
parts take occasion to say that are in no wise
responsible for their grefs. We have had no part
lot in bringing about the success of this new and
mysterious organization and wish to have of the
glory appertainng to such secret and astounding
victories We humiatingly confess that we know
nothing Of great many things that are going on in
this world, and how should be supposed to know
anything Of the Know Nothings, whose principles,
and purposes, and objects, so far Us our knowledge
extends have never been distinctly avowcd, is en-
trely beyond comprehension. II, therefore, the
repose of our Democratic contemporaries is seriously
disturbed by the imposing strength of this new par
ty-if their sleep is invaded, their dreams rendered
unpleasant, and their visions Of future party con-
quests blasted; it is neither charitable nor just for
them to hold responsible for their mistortuncs-
We sympathisc with them in their distress, but we
claim be free from all guilt blame in the matter.
For we not members of that novel and interest
ing association, against which their denuncatory
criticisms fercely, and may say, so justly
leveled.
Our neighbor of the South Side Democrat appears
to know good deal more Of Know Nothingism than
any other Of our cotemporares. 1t is hoTor-struok
also at innocent paragraph which appeared in the
Wig few days ago upon the subject. We stated
then that knew nothing Of the principles or OBJ
jects Of that organization, of its plans of operas
ton Nei Their do we, except far have asccr-
tanned them from the vague specuatons Of that por-
ton Of the press which has taken up the cudgels
against it, We have been so unfortuna,e as never to
have had the benefit of the same light which our Pc
tersburg neighbor has. We have never seen a Know
Nothing paper. W, have to our knowledgr
cow ersed with member of the Know Nothing Soci.
ETY.. We have never read their confession Of faith
and really know little nothing about them. But
we said before, have no admiration for any such
association. We go farther and say that we have
neither respect tolerance for any secret poica
organization no what the objects proposed ,n
be accomplished by it. If good to the country and
not evil shall result from such organization we said
and we say again, that eshal be extremely gratifai
at it, and rejoice. But even the benefits which may
possibly result thcrerom shall never tempt us to APP
prove the secret and cowardly means by which they
are effected We hope this declaration is sufficiently
explicit and distinct to alay the apprehensions and
We re-publish nearly the whole of the Democrats
article in order TO let readers see what tempest
may be raised in teapot The surprise and indic-
nation manifested by neighbor at what it conicc.
lures and possibly hopes is the position of the Wing
upon the Know Nothing question, instead Of being
at all provoking, is exceeding amusing and refreshing
Here is the extract:
"When cardinal political principles are 10 question and
q n
ed or impugned, Indifference TO the progress OF the
heresy in those whose flee il 10 stand as septiuels o
the outpos OF the nations policy is crime scarcely les
dangerous dcesiabe than treason and the crime
becomes ten fold more detestable because ten.i moro
dangerous when the offender is distinguished by
TALENT influence or the accident of position At thu
prescott moment organic lton acknow ICED to have
for s object radical Infringement on express and inplrl
dogmas of national faith-dogmas so important that no
height OF party fury has hitherto been flnac enough 10
question them-s spreading neither steadily nor slowly
but with gigantic strides and accommodating energy oya-
our land Not content with its conquess on It's natv,
SOIL it has reared its disgusting head ,qonN,yuo.
horreHdnn' IWorme, ingenS within the borders Of
conservative Virginia. and threatened here here
In this ism hating old Commonwealth with the eyIs OF
that disgusting compound of Whiggery Niivesm Maine
Lavish, aud Il would seem Free Soisn, which forms the
creed OF the Know Nohings. While this il So while the
danger Is hanging aud while nsdious snake
like secresy oil the traOrous organization renders their
denuncAtion, In unmcl'ured terms the duty Of every
al citizen, newspaper distinguished as the organ once
oil large party paper dating back within two wears
oil the beginning OF this century, paper which formerly
pquei itself its conservatism is found 10 extend f. j.
terna arms to the coming party and 10 show TO
the treason aud backguardsm Of Ned Buntne that con
slderAuon and respect which denied TO the patriotic
wisdom of constitutional President Behold how rns
ery this goved and pomatumed contemporary of ours
with tue subject No denuucatoD none Of that honest
indignation which has characterized the press Of IN.
whole country when treating OF the subject nothing
bnt softly breahed murmur, dcprecang the sscye,y OF
the matter"
We trust the Democrat will see the propretv. ortcr
reading our frank confession Of placing us right upon
this great and momentous questionable greatest and
most momentous perhaps, which has agitated the
Democracy of Virginia for long time unless Ia,
perplexng question OF extra session of the Lags
lature has precedence. We have never "extendet
iraternal arms" to the Know Nothings, and is no
at all likely that we shall We deprecate and abho
this odious secret method Of cIccng political obiec
rs much as any one, not even excepting our cotcm
poraiy OF the Cockade. We trust therefore. il ma,
TEST quietly under the assurance that the Win ha
no sympathy with the new-angled order Of Knov
Nothings, and that il will give them no "ad nor com
fort whatever Suppose, however, that the Know
Nothing organization should contribute to the success
OF the Democracy would not the indignation of ou
democratic contemporaries abate little? We hav,
our Tears upon the subject but will not be 80 un
charitable as to express them now.
In