Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1854-07-01
THE KNOW NOTIIINGS.

terrain and intended to give the public, but
expressed in style so much superior to our
own, that we endorse and quote the entire ar
ticle:
"The results of the elections for the last six
months indicate that this Order has become an
element of power in the State. Not twelve
months since, vague rumors of the existence
| Of an organization whose objects were un-
known and whose action was scarcely felt,
found their way into the public journals. Con.
trary to all past experience and putting to the
blush all the calculations of sage politicians,
this body, whatever may be its character, has
suddenly grown into an Importance which ex-
cites the fears of old parties, causes its move
ments to be chronicled and its aims to be the
subject of general criticism.
To-day it carries the elections in New York
the next is omnipotent in the Capital of the
nation. In little villages as we'll as large cities
in the remotest countryside no less than in
places more populously crowded, the ballo,.bo
shows the same result. We may write the ep-
itaph Of the old political parties; for a new Or
ganizalion has succeeded to their power-an
organization which seems to embody new ideas
TO proclaim new principles-and 10 afford a
broad platform for men who have been bitter
antagonists during many a ~fercely contested
political struggle.
1t has been evident for years that the wing
and democratic parties were distinguished by
no wide difference of principle. These organ.
i~zations; originally formed upon issues marked
and important, have found in the progress of
years the questions at issue gradually disposed
of, until their Office was rather to guide the dis
tribution Of patronage than to secure the per-
manency of any particular policy. Power ex-
erted for this purpose necessarily became cor
rupt, and awakened the disgust of men who
desired no public plumber.
The peculiar objects of the new organiza-
ton are involved in some obscurity, but little
need be feared from men who have been train.
ed in the school Of American politics, who are
dIliltit WIN IN SouotitutiOu dlu ttt laws, duu
have as much love of country and zeal for lib
erty as any in the land. American citizens
cannot be supposed guilty of unconstitutiona
objects, nor illegal action. Where the result
of success at the ballot box is the Introduction
into office Of men of capacity, patriotic feeling,
and devotion to American federation and free
dom, there is scarcel; room for the diatribes
which defeated Office seekers fill the ears of
the public.
a more important question is the permanen.
cy of the power which the new organization
has suddenly acquired. We have said that old
political issues have long since been settled
There is now no subject involving the policy
of the government, which is of sufficient i'm.
portance to enlist warm partizan action indie
pendent of the spoils of victory. If the laurel
be snatched from the hands of old parties,
their followers viii drop from them like autumn
leaves, nor have they any chance to regain
their waning power until they can present an
issue which shall involve important results, and
awaken the warmest sympathies of the Ame-
rican people. Have not the Know Nothings
the very basis of permanency in their organi-
cation, of which the old parties are now bereft!
If they aim, as it is alleged, to restore vitality
to the principles of '76-to give to American
hands the legislation of the country-and root
out the baleful influence of a rapidly growing
foreign popuIation-they appeal to a feeling
which pervades every American bosom. This
may account for a growth SO sudden-a sue
cessso unprecedented.
That the organs of both political parties OF
pose their movements, is the strongest evil
dence of their want of sympathy with the aims
ana objects-the policy and means Of success
Of both. If sympa.hy with either of the old
organizations could be satisfactorily establish
ed, we might anticipate an overthrow speedy
and signal. Or, if the new party recognizes
only one idea as the basis of its organization,
its prosperity must necessarily have a speedy
termination. But we are by no means assured
that the Know Nothings operate in SO limited
a sphere. The opposition to foreign influence
which is attributed to them, will be a bond of
union, until the evil which every American, at
least, privately admits, is corrected. Is this
the work Of a moment But is it by any
means necessary-isi it probable that this is the
sole idea recognized by that body! Is not the
permanency Of the Union necessarily involved
in the very doctrine of opposition to foreign
influence? Are not the rights of the States
and the construction of the Constitution of
its trainers, implied in a return to the usages
Of our fathers? Is not legislation purely Ame-
rican, and a foreign policy, eminently national,
foreshadowed
In fact, if the public is right, in the construc.
it places upon The action of the formida-
BILE Knaw Nhthinus. they renresent new issues