Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-08-17


The South Side Democrat seems to consider it spe-
cially incumbent upon the Democratic party to put
down the Know Nothings-"at least to attempt it,"
1t says To shrink from the responsibility of dis
charging this duty is to ignore tho history of the
party and to sacrifice its principles on the altar OF an
extremely problematical expediency. They must
meet the issue-meet it boldly and squarely. Audit
cannot be done too soon" Thus counsels Peters
burg contemporary. 1t tells us moreover that there
is "a disposition in certain quarters of the State
the part of portion Of the Democratic party to blink
the fact of the existence of this secret political
organization" which it very much regrets to OBJ
serve" This, we can assure contemporary, is not
at all to be wondered at The Know Nothings are
getting to be powerful and influential organization,
and is it not the part of policy not to offend thems
Besides, suppose absolute and overwhelming defeat
threatened the Democratic party, would it not be
justiiiabe in CO operating with the Know Nothngs
to save itself from such calamity ? 1t certainly
would according to the recent teachings Of some De.
mocratic editors. The Enquirer, for example, makes
this acknowledgment: 'Recent experience has re-
Taxed something Of exclusive and rigid adherence
to theory, and has taught us to accept compromise
Of principle if necessary to escape absolute and
whelmug defeat" 1t is clearly proper therefore, to
make the most Of the Know Nothngs any other
association if their aid is necessary to avert disaster
to the party.
Wewoud suggest to our contemporary that instead
of the Democratic party putting down the Know
Nothings, it far probable that just the
will be the Thus far at least wherever they
have made stand, they appear to have been quite
strong enough to put both parties upon their back
We have no knowledge of the principles objects of
the Know Nothing organization, and can't say, in the
language of the Democrat whether, if generally sue
cessfu they ''woud sap the Government and destroy
social ORDER or not. Judging by results however,
we arc rather disposed to look upon them as Refor-
mers and not Dcstructives. So long as they act well
and periodically, content to let them run At
any rate, 1t is no part Of our business wish to
indulge in bitter denunciation Of that of which we
know absolutely nothing. We may disagree with
them in many things, but we shall not pursue them
with abuse-especiaIy, as long as they continue to
be terror to evil.doers and demagogues.
The New Orleans Della, paper, uniformly friendly
to the administration, has the following in condemnation
Of the San Juan affairs:
"As friends of the general policy which led the for
nation of the present administration part of which
policy considered the cultivation Of the best relations
with the natives and residents of Central America to be,
deeply regret wha, has place Grey and
the more unqualidedy, because government with
polite urgency, brought about the enlargement of
its inhabitants from Mosquito control and British
protection. 1t was, in point OF fac: American
settlement, animated by American feeling, and in is diff.
eues with the Transit Company but initiated transactions
between citizens nearer home having rival locations End
conflicting interests. The wisdom policy of an inter
venton so summary and destructive that OF Captain
iolns appears TO US therefore neScusable and unwse,
aud Tnugh, with consequences that provo exceed
ingly injurious TO Influence that portion of the con.
'inent where for many reasons it is desirable to cucour
age American settlements, without nicely inquirine
into the morals OF their inhabitants the regularity of
their commercial transactions AS the matter at present
stands, nothing for any commend; nothing
credtahe our arms or sagacy and from the ashes
claims for property thoughessy destroyed cons,ruc-
lively conf grated"