Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1854-10-13
THE KNOW W-NOTHINGS, DRAWN BY ONE
OF THE INITIATED.

| 1u the New York Times, member Of the mystical
order exposes TO view the denqucncics Of which his
brethren guilty at their late Council in New
York. He alleges that the "sound discretion and
practical wisdom of the originaors of the institution
while few in numbers gave them grcui power to con-
troll tho results of municipal elections: but :" the
vague, underlined, mystical character which attached
| to the Society, the accuracy with which it made its
| solutions, and the success which followed its Demon
stratons, tended to its rapid increase in numbers and
as has since become manifest, s early dissoutioi
but not to its final decay. Regenera,cd by the wise
and the upright and purified by the ordeal through
which 1t is destined to pass, it will arise with higher
aims and enlarged purposes from the scpulchre in
which il has been laid by its proicsscd woushppers,
TO nobler and more enduring existence in the fu-
ture."
The free-spoken Brother" noxt proceeds to show
that the professedly immaculate Know Nothings are
not above the appeals of ambition and sef-nerest.
The following extract will be interesting. 1t is pro-
per to state that a the writer complains Of the outnge
the word and thereby excluding the admission of
oil who were not of the clique OF the wircworkers
the "recklessncss Of the President aud the unscru-
pulous character of his aiders and abettors"-all
which lead him to believe that before the closlg ot
the year the present organization Will nc entirely dis
banded" but, ho hopes aud believes VIII be again
revived under better auspiccs:
The first designs of the founders of the Order were
not 10 bring into any contest candidates. from ils own
members but to select from the nominees {" the dli-
fcrent political parties such men as were american
horn and of the Protestant religion Ii all tho cam
dates were known TO possess these requisites, then
the members of the Order were left free 10 exercise
the elective franchise III such manner as they should
think proper, in accordance with their political ante
cedents. Aspirations for office were unknown among
the inventors of the Society, or pcrchance they did
manifest themselves, those who indulgcd them were
| promptly and severely censured. There are many
| instances where men have been takeh up anu
elected to office by the Order, who did not know
| that they were being balotted for until the votes
| were cunvusscd. So long rs such principles
ruled-so long Oh they refused to indulge in personal
preferences partisan reSentmcns long az the
Order could refrain from the loavcs and tshcs--so
long it was on the path Of duty, and 30 long twas
sure TO be successful With increase OF members
came more than proportonate increase OF asplrants
for the places OF profit and trust-and moi few de-
signing men, who thought only 10 make of the band
| ed brotherhood 'S-paws with which to reach the
roasted chestnuts. In the subordinate Councils 1t
| was not an uncommon thing I" enroll one hundred
and ffty members at one session. is strange that
with such vast accumuations, there should be gath
cred many unworthy 10 take purt in struggle for the
advancement of great principle which demanded
not unfrequenty tile sacrifice OF personal preferences
tho sundering of party ties, aud sometimes the par-
tia abandonment Of cherished purposes! Its portals
| not strongly guarded by its cons,i:ution-what won
der is it, that the high priests at the affairs of the
Order, have proved 10 be ita mcs, unworthy its
most corrupt-its most exacting-and the most de.
signing of its professed devnecs, and that there
should be men Of less than common intellect and en-
tire unitness for the places they sought 10 attaint
Such has proved to be the result Of its grand Off
GERS, there is hardly one who does not seek political
preferment Joseph W. Barker, the President, would
be Mayor of the City of New York Mr.. Ebling, the
Vice.resdent, would be Commissioner Of Streets and
Lamps. Chauncey Schaffer would be District Attor-
ney OF the County of New York. Stephen \. Mum,
would be Chief of Police Mr.. tllmaun, Mr.. Savage
and Mr. Whitney, would be Governors and Lieut.
Governors. Enough for sample. Your paper, am
pie as il IT, would hardly contain the names OF all the
members who are up for aons- in many caaer
for "Cowcs and market 1t was this almost uni
vcrsal desire for position, that carried the Council
from its true course and brought shipwreck and dis
natter upon the Order.