The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1854-06-23
THE aKNoW NOTHINGS. ;

the corporate elections in New Orleans,
Washington and Philadelphia, shows the Or
ganization of powerful interest known by
the significant appellation which heads this
article. They have come upon the politicians
as some of those signal scourges with which
Heaven has chosen to afilct the wickedness
of man, have come upon the earth, moving in
inscrutabe and inexorable power, and leaving
no other record of its nature than the devas-
tations of its path. The politicians stand
aghast. They have been struck dumb in the
councils They have been carried faiptlng
from the feast. Their charms have lost their
potency. Their pride is humbled. Like the
storm of hail and birthstone which swept over
the doomed cities-like the pestilence which
spared not the Eunuch at the footstool, or the
Monarch on the throne, the "Know Nothings'
seem moving over the land on a mission OF
political punishment and prostration. AS
these severe marks of divine Indignation were
generally followed by prayer, repentance and
reformation, we may hope that few more
salutary admonitions may have the effect OF
restoring the purity of official appointment
and party action throughout the United States.
We are in total ignorance of the principles
or purposes of the "Know Nothings," except
so far as they may be inferred from results.
1t seems volunteer police in aid of public
morality. 1t recognizes no Federal division
contends for no political system. 1t seems
actuated alone by determination to maintain
the institutions of the country, and to CON-
init its offices to none but citizens Of unim
peachablc integrity.
We can well see how such an organization
may have become necessary. Party contests
have obiterated the lines of principle which
once divided men. The lust of conquest has
extingushed political honesty, and made any
professions of patriotism subject of jest OF
of suspicion The platform creed of parties
has been suspended by local dispensations.-
Inscriptions politicians have secured nom
nations by intrigue, and party fealty has com
PEELED support to the nominee which could
not have been accorded to the man. Officer:
in high stations have permitted themselves tC
be implicated in speculations upon the gov
crnment, and permitted the political misrep
reservations of their acts to settle in reproacf
upon the party to which they belong. States
men regard public office as private property
and the family tree of some might-be shown
which taking root in the Federal treasury
bears upon its spreading branches, the fruit o
preferment to the most remote degree of di
rect and collateral consanguinity. Subordi
nate officers are chosen for no knowledge o
figures save capacity to increase those upol
the poll-book, and with no capacity to writ
save for the newspapers.
But co-incident with the degradation o
parties this new party has sprung up. 1t ha
discarded the machinery of conventions
makes no noisy and vindictive defamation
it works in obscurity and silence. 1t ha
elevated thus far to office honest and capabl
citizens, bearing indfferently the names o
both the old parties. 1t has only made it
faith known by its works, as there is, we be
lieve, no authorized publication Of its charac
ter or purposes.
We cannot, therefore, speak from persona
knowledge, but we warn politicians, that
they wish to draw anew the lines of party
they must purify the admin kon of tn
Government-bestow its offices upon homes
and capable citizens without regard to politi
cal lassification-exact Of representative:
whether in the Legislature or in foreign coun
tries, morality, industry, self-respect, and de
votion to the interests of the nation. If thi
be done the Know Nothings, as we infer thei
objects from their acts, will have accomplish
ed all they design; but if the politicians shal
not take warning, the "places" which no,
know them will soon know them no NOR
forever, and the shrines which they have pol
luted will be purged of their unholy minis
tratiorts by the sacred and consuming fire o
public Indignation.