The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-08-13

destroyed, and though it might possibly be
kent alive in some particular localities, a. =
State organization it was in hopeless condi-
ton. Enough democrats had shown themselves
sufficiently abject of spirit to be intimidated
by the threats Of renegade wing, and Is their
number was large enough to affect the action OF
the party, it was idle to look for anything at
the hands of that party. The Irish Catholics
had gone over to the wings in body on the
question of making new constitution aud as
most of their number had been democrats it
did seem as If there was to be nothing left of
which the wings could be afraid. About one
seventh Of the democratic party belonged to
the bunker branch, and preferred wing sue
cess to that of the coalition, though liking the
national administration as little as it is liked
by the New York hards Finally, the Adams
and Palfrey portion of the free soilers had act
ed with the wings, and showed decided incli-
nation to 60 back into the whig organi-
cation. The wings had three.fourths of the
Senate, and so majority in the House. They
elected all their candidates for State officers in
the Legislature, and set the government in mo-
tion. Everything looked first rate for them,
and they acted as if they believed they had
taken bond of fate and fortune.
But as has been the case with our political
scenery for years past, there quickly came an
alteration over the state of affairs The stand
ing order of our stage has been enter Snob, and
exit AldibOrontophOscoph the party that
is in always coming by the worst, and fortune
taking sort of malicious spite in hitting the
successful with hard blows. The wings had
hardly been seated in Office when the Know
NOthings began to make themselves unpleasant
" prominent. Several whg candidates at
elections for municipal officers were badly
beaten, and 1t was seen with dismay that this
mysterious order was strongest in the very
places where whiggery had been considered as
powerful as the oak. As time rolled on, the
order became recognized as something to be
dreaded, though what it's exact intentions are
no one can positively say. Among the specu-
lations Of the day is one to the effect that the
wings now expect to turn the order to account,
and restore their fortunes through its aid. It is
said that several eminent wings have Joined it,
for the purpose of controlling it and making
use Of its admirable organization to keep that
1natomie uicante, the wing party of Massachu-
sets, above ground. They are represented to
be among the cleverest political managers in
their party. Henry j. Gardner is one Of the
number whose names have heard mentioned
as being in this plot. Ifhe has joined the order
it is only for the purpose of aiding the wings.
He is whig, and cannot be anytoing else.
Whether he was created for the wing party,
or the wing party for him, do not know, but
they fit each other admirably. Mr.. Gardner
has served his party well in the city govern
ment, in the Legislature, and in the constitu-
tional convention. If he has become Know
Nothing, it is because he wants something done
which he cannot accomplish without the aid of
the mysterious and mystic order. which our
learned wings compare with the Vehme Genihte,
that famous secret tribunal of the "red soil.''
which was as terrible to the hunkers and fun
kies of four hundred years ago as free soil''
has been to similar worthless in our own day.
To return to the consideration of the
condition Of the wings, the coming up
of the Nebraska discussion gave them
they felt from the garote of the new
party. They had great faith in the gullibility
Of the people of Massachusetts, on the subject
of slavery having worked that mine for several
years previous to l849 with amazing success.
They acted as if they believed that heaven had
inspired Mr.. Douglas to bring about the repeal
Of the compromise Of 1920 for their benefit.
They have for months been seeking to get the
free sellers to join them, not as a body, but as
individuals, and have been loud in their decla-
rations of what it will become the duty Of the
North to do, in case the South shall do some
thing or other-no one knows exactly what.
Thus far they have not been very successful.
all kinds of +" fusions," save the melting down
OF democrats and wings into Know NOthings.
having failed in Massachusetts,. portion of
the free soil leaders would gladly have whig
nominated for Governor by the !" republican I"
convention of September 7th if they thought
the wings would support him; but the wings
are not sunk SO low as to allow others to make
their nominations for them.
Governor Washburn, it is believed, will be
nominated for reelection by his party. He will
not come within $4,000 votes of being chosen,
unless he should get support out of his party.
The only class he can look to for such support
are the Catholics that have not acted with
the wings heretofore; and their support
would injure him. His speech at an irish
dinner, against his own countrym men, and
in favor of Catholicism, however, entities
him to the Catholic vote. and he will get
them. and much good may they do him. Last
year the popular majority against him was, in
round numbers, 10000; while tie majority
against the new constitution, as officially given,
was 1928. Taking the latter as the majority
against the wings in the State, in order to make
our calculations as favorable to them as pos
sible, let us see how they are likely to fare in
the legislative elections, on the supposition that
the Know Nothing strength is not vastly over
rated; for it is upon carrying the Legislature
hopes they have. Last year they had ninety
majority in the House, obtained in the follow
ing places. have given the majority against
the new constitution, which is much more ia
vorable to them than would be any other
course -
No. Of REPS. Wing MAJ.
DOetOns. ..................... III $3.50
Salem. ...................... 6 $50
Newburyport. .......... 426
Lowell. .................. 10 147
New Bedford. ............... 4 .122
Cambridge. ................. 4 $50
Lawrence. ................... 3 IS
Koxoury. .................... 9f3
NANTUCKET. .........s..,..... III
Chcopee. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. III
Taunton. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. . 800
p;ftsfeld 20