The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1854-10-10
From the Newark Daily Advertise
THE KN0w-NoTHIEGs.

II is acknowledged at the outset, that we
arc ignorant of the principles and plans ofthe
Know Nothipgs, yet two things respecting
them may be said. One is, that those persons
act absurdly, who blame them for their secresy,
yet, a. the sumo timo, pretend to know all "a
bout them, and attribute to them principles
aud acts without scruple or hesitation. Ono
of two things must be true. Either the Know
Nothings are ignorant of what they profess
and do, which is manifestly unjust and Gen.
surable; or else Know-Noihingism cannot be
that secret thing so many condemn, because
il is secret, and for that alone. If it is secret,
then wo know nothing about it, and should be
ashamed to spcak of it as fippantly, ss 1t we
did. If it is not secret, then cease to find
fault with it, as If it were. Here is dilemma,
and we must hang on to one or tho other of
its horns.
The other remark to 6e mado concerning it.,
is this: 1t is affirmed that tho Know-Nolhing
society do not nominate candidates for Office.
Is this true! If il is, then they are q pretty
conservative set of men, to say the least. A
party, which, proposed nobody for place or
station, cannot be an ambitious, Infringing, ag-
sressive body. Yet it is from these, we have
most to fear. 1t results, too, from the neces-
sity of concealing not only their springs Of ac-
tion, but the membership of every individual,
| that demagogueism must be excluded from
| their proceedings. They must be no taproom
| caucus brawlers, but must limit their efforts to
doing what they deem right themselves, quietly
without attempts to proseyte, leaving all others
| to do os they please also. This certainly looks
modest and inofensivo, whatever their aims
may be, of which, ofcourso, we know no more
than others, and that is just nothing at all. If
it is fact, that this association makes no nom-
| nations, but votes for the oandiate proposed by
| another regular party, whom they prefer, il
strikes us that tho sting Of secresy, which is so
much dreaded by somo, is completely extrac-
ted However secret may DO their operations,
they can eventuato in nothing worse, than in
| tho election of some regular nominee for office.
Consequently. they can be no more dangerous
to society, than that regular party itself. whose
candidate it adopts. And one admirable fea-
ture of it is that Know Nothing is not forever
laborng and wriggling TO warm himself into a
nomination. That inspiration which animates
| so many party managers, is, of course, denied
| to the man who is always to support the can
didates Of other bodies. The idea ofa Know
Nothing, then, as we unders and it, is, man
who trics to make himself acquainted with the
qualifications of the various candidates put up
| for office. and votes for the one he thinks will
fit il best. And is this is correct. consequently
society of Know Nothihgs must be number
of men who mean to inquire and vote for such
among the nominees for places of trust, as
they think best qualified for them. 1t is but
justice to romark that if this is their principle,
and this their design, then they are what the
best men in the country WHO are not politici-
ans by trade, but merely desrous that the best
men should bo selected for Office, have always
wished for. Tho question then arises, does
this course of conduct become a bad ono, when
it is carried out and practiced on by an organ
lied body of mon, instead Of tho same men
proceeding individually and seperatelyl This
is for every one to decide in pronouncing on
tho character of this formidable party, as some
regard it, but which John Mitchell affects to
despisc