Washington sentinel., 1854-06-08
AN OLD PARTY UNDER NEW NAME

be killed early in the morning, but its tail will
not die until sunset. Nor is the snake the
only creature that clings with tenacity to life.
Some creatures may be cut to pieces, and
each piece will have separate vitality. It
viii live, move, and its being. Cut off the
head of turtle, clip off its claws, stick, stab,
and cut it all over, and yet it will be hours be-
fore life is extinguished.
Some political parties die just as hard, and
cling to life with the same tenacity. There is
the whig party, and when we speak of it, we
would not use terms of harshness. 1t includes
many noble men, distinguished statesmen, and
eminent patriots; but the whig party dies hard
It's best friends cannot deny it. 1t outdoes
the snake, for it is long after its sunset, and
yet it wags its tail. 1t surpasses the turtle for
although months and months have rolled by
since its head was cut off, its claws clipped
and its body pierced in many places, it still
kicks. 1t is 10th to give up the ghost. Not
only was its head chopped of, but its body was
cut in twain, never more to unite. Each divi-
sion is endowed with separate vitality. Each
division has separate place. One is at the
north, the other at the south.
Now, it is with the northern division that we
have to deal, for it does not challenge our es
TEEN as does the southern division. 1t has suf
fered itself to be corrupted and debauched. 1t
has run after strange gods. 1t has, we fear,
become abolitionised.
The wings of the north are shrewd people,
and they have many able and sagacious leaders,
who look to success rather than to the means
of achieving that success. They would change
their name and ally themselves with any party
in order to accomplish their designs.
A mysterious secret political organization
has suddenly sprung up in the country. 1t is
spreading from State to State and from city to
city. Those who compose it are called "know
nothings." Their policy seems to be silence,
secrecy, and affected ignorance. If it refuses
to make known its objects and its principles,
men cannot be blamed for forming conjectures
as to them. We will investigate the society as
well as we can with the lights before us.
1t is said to have been instituted in New
York city where all forms of isms and heresies
have their advocates. No distinguished states
men, no eminent patriots founded, or helped to
found it. 1t was born in obscurity, and nur-
tured in secrecy. 1t is said, we know not how
truly, to have been the invention of man who
cannot either boast of an enviable fame, or of
an unblemished character. Its objects seem
to be principally to war against our foreign
population, and against Catholics. All the
members of it seem to be moved by one i'm
pulse, and to vote the same way in elections.
1t aspires to be the great controlling party Of
the country, and has been formed, we cannot
doubt with the view of carrying the next Presi-
Dental election. Many bad qualities are at
tributed to it. 1t is said to be like the terrible
inquisition-unseen itself and yet with its spies
on every one. 1t strikes when the blow isleast
expected. 1t is said too, (strange that it
should copy what it SO strongly condems,) like
the order of Jesuits, to carry out to q frightful
extent, the odious principle of mental reserva.
ton, to conceal its purposes under affected
ignorance, subtle subterfuge and positive de-
NAL 1t is said that in order to blind and mis-
lead their opponents, they pretend to be in
favor of and go so far as to seem to electioneer
for the candidates that they are pledged to
defeat. We have theory in regard to these
"know nothings," which they cannot blame us
for proclaimlng, inasmuch as they refuse to de-
clare themselves and their purposes.
We think we recognise in their character
istics the features of the old northern federal
whig party. 1t is the serpent that wags its
tail, although its head has been crushed. That
this party would resort to disguises if dis.
guises would avail it, cannot be denied by any
one who understands their tactics. We regard
these "know nothings" as a combination OF
northern wings, freesoiers, and abolitionists,
interspersed with small sprinkling of deluded
democrats, who really do not understand the
nature and objects of the organization to which
they belong.
Now to thereason for sothinking. This society
was started in New York city, we are informed.
1t was started after northern whiggery was
hopelessly prostrated, and when democracy was
all triumphant. 1t has generally elected wings
where it has succeeded at all. 1t is essentially
different from, indeed in complete antago-
nism to democracy. True democracy scorns
to hide its head under a mask, and its objects
under deceits and DISCUSSES. 1t plants itself
on the Constitution, and it proclaims its mis-
sion to the world. 1t is not ashamed of its
name, it is not ashamed of its creed. Under
that name and that creed it has conquered, and
is destined still to conquer. That few un-
sound, or unwary democrats have joined this
organization we believe, and we are mortified
so TO believe.
1t is said full scope must be given to con-
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