The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-11-09
KNOW NOTHINGS.

sets, was a Webster Wing, and supporter of
the Fugitive Act, it is due to that gentleman to
say that in letter to the Hon. Charles Allen,
he denies that he is a Pro-Slavery man, de-
nounces the Fugitive Act, asserts that he signed
the petition for its repeal, so soon as he heard
that it was placed in the Exchange for sigma
ture, avows the most unqualified hostility to
the aggressions Of Slavery, and announces that
in the Wing State Central Committee, after the
passage of the Nebraska bill he introduced a
resolution in favor of the Wing organization,
calling Convention of the opponents of the
| Nebraska bill, without distinction of party, to
nominate Fusion candidates for State off
ccs," &c.
After reading the letter of Mr.. Gardner, con-
tanning so many manly sentiments, we deeply
regret that he did not feel bound TO sustain the
action of those patriotic citizens who undertook
TO carry out the Fusion policy, which he deemed
so important, and that he now consents to be
the standard bearer of an organization which
makes such a policy impossible, and must pre-
vent anything ike a fair expression OF the
| opinion of Massachusetts in relation to the
Nebraska outrage, the Fugitive Act, or the ag-
gressive measures of Slavery. For, should the
Know Nothing party succeed in Massachusetts,
what will It's victory proclaim? Hostility to
G,ylioa-Lora citizens and CatholicS-nothing
| more 1t will have no language on the Slavery
| Queston-that is not an issue with this organi-
cation 1t has no principles, proposes no poll
cv on this great queston-sO that the success
or defeat of It's candidates. so far as that is
concerned, means nothing.
The Portage County Journal, published at
Ravenna, Ohio, is the only Free or Independ-
ent Democratic journal within our knowledge,
disposed 70 give countenance to the Know
Nothing organization. Referring to the oppo-
sition of the Tribune, independent, and Era, it
says:
"The last-named journals especially fear that,
by this new combination, the Anti-Slavery ele-
ment is to be crushed out, and that the energies
Of the order are not to be directed to the uni
versaI welfare of the race.
True, there is nothing human which may
not be abused and perverted to bad uses. Hence,
every element, every influence, and every move
ment calculated to affect human society," should
be closely scrutinized
ave confess, however, that the anXietes of
politicians and scctaries, thus far, do not give
us much concern. So far as we have been en-
abcd to Judge of this new movement by results,
We have been disposed to look with some favor
upon it. We cannot now remember an instance,
SO far rs we have observed, when its action has
not been liberal, progressive, and on the side of
right, against ignorance, bigQtry, superstition,
and oppression. As an element, if an element
at ALL in the late elections in Ohio, Indiana and
Pennsylvania, it was on the side of the oppress-
ed against the opprcssor, on the side of a strug
Cling people against n consolidated Government,
welded by Southern ogarchy for basest pur-
poses.'
As there is nothing human that may not
be abused and perverted to bad uses" honest
men should see to it that they do not commit
themselves with an association which tempts to
such abuses by the removal of a wholesome re-
sponsibility Who does not know that the
chances of corruption and misgovernment
would be fearfullys multiplied, were Congress
suffered to sit with closed doors, and to legis-
late in secret? How long would this remain a
| free country under such a usage? Here is an
organization of voters in Pennsylvania, for ex-
ample, numbering 100000. 1t not only does
not invite public scrutiny, but taxes every art
| to battle 1t. It's meetings are called, nobody
not initiated knows how; it sits with closed
doors; its obligations, oaths, creed, policy, are
all studiously concealed; it discusses, decides,
dominates in secret; and on the day of cleo
ton its nominees are elected, nobody not ini-
tiated can say how, why, or on what principles.
Is this treating free People with respect? Is
this fit and decent in q Republican Govern
ment, in which the People are held to be the
source of power. the tribunal to which all ques-
tons of legislation should be submitted, for their
intelligent decision? We can conceive of no
political organization in this country so utterly
anti-repubican, so disrespectful to the People,
so liable to scandalous abuse.
Our cotcmporary saws that he cannot now
remember an instance when its action has
not been liberal, progressive, and on the side
of right, against ignorance, bigotry, supersti-
ton, and oppression" Was the defeat of Mr..
Benton TO which it contributed, the triumph
of right and progress ?" Is its action in
Massachusetts,, in thrustng aside the Slavery
| issue, and getting up candidate in opposition
to the Republican Party, with which we have
supposed the JouaQl to affiliate, = LIBERAL pro-
grcssive, and on the side of right? ?" Is its
action in New York, in dividing the Anti-Sla
very forces, and in running Thoroughbred
Silver Gray Wing in opposition to the candi
date of the Anti-Slavery Wings, Free Demo
Gratis, Republicans, and Temperance men, lib
cral, progressive, ON the side of right?" "As
an clement says the Journal, 81 if an element
at all in the late elections in Ohio, Indiana, and
| PENNSYLVANIA, it was on the side of the OPP
pressed against the oppressor, on the side Of a
struggling people against consolidated Gov
ernment, welded by Southern Ohgarchy fol
basest purposes" All Was its action in cast
ing 10000 votes for Mr.. Mott, the Nebraska
the office of Canal Commissioner and in Sc
curing his election by majority of 100000
4" ON the side of the oppressed against the op
prcssor, of the struggling People against an
Administration, welded by Southern Oigar
chy?
Our friend of the Portage County Journal j.
very, very forgetful.
Es5~ Since the foregoing was written, We
have noticed the following paragraphs in The
Boston Ece,iRg Telegraph:
" 1t is rather droll to see the Bee trying tC
prove that Mr.. Gardner was not much of 6
Webster man, after all! We presume, however
that the Bee is right. 1t is evident that Mr.
Gardner, though undoubtedly bunker in pas
years, was not a virulent or hardened one Al
all events, he has repented and repentance, like
charity, covers a multitude of sins. Let by
L hl, hrrorac