The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-11-28

expect us 70 clear the way for them, is differ
ent question: but certain it is, 'ha. We should
assume sach . rank amcng nations as not
would render us in a measure
arbi.ers OF European destiny. The utnost we
can expect under the present administration is
that we shall be plunged into foolish quarreis,
and extricated thout honor; that we shall
make enemies without becoming feared, and lose
friends, without gaining any thing to compen-
safe US for the loss. The opportunity will be
thrown away.
The Know Ncthings and their Movements
Presidential Programme.
The newspapers of the two old decayed and
broken down political parties of the country
are intensely exercised concerning the future
movements and the organs of the Know No
things; but especially concerning the candidate
of this new and extraordinary party for the
next Presidential election.
Now it so happens that we are in the posses
sion of certain information in reference to these
things, which may be exceedingly useful to the
old party organs, the old party cliques, and the
old party hucksters, wings and democrats, ad-
ministration and enti-administrati Seward
men and silver grays inclusive. They will
probably be saved q great deal of trouble.
doubt, speculation and anxiety, from careful
perusal and digestion Of the Know Nothing
schedule of operations from this time to the
grand November campaign of 1856, as we un.
derstand it, We know nothing of the authority
whence it has emanated, but the following is
very likely the programme in question. 1t
certainly tallies with the sy stem Of operations
'hus far SO successfully pursued by the Know
Nothings; and, therefore, we apprehend that
the same plan will be followed up to and
through the Presidential election.
First of all, then, the Know Nothings, as n
party, have no authorized newspaper organs,
nor will they have any. Those which assume
to be their organs are catch penny individual
enterprises. The party will have no newspaper
organs. They will manage the enrolment of
their forces and their work for the elections State
and national in their clubs and councils. leaving
the newspapers Of all parties perfectly free to
the discussion OF public men, public measures,
and great political issues and principles, among
themselves According to this system, as car
ried out in the late Massachusetts aud other
surprises, the Know Nothings expect to sweep
ALL or nearly all, the State elections of the en-.
suing year, just as they have swept Massachu-
setts, from stem to stern. And why not? The
old parties are disbanded-the people are free
the field is open, aud the coast is clear.
Assuming that the Know NOthings. upon
this novel and inaccessible system of action,
will carry the State elections of the ensuing
y ear, North and South, it becomes manifest tina,
the usual Baltimore party conventions may be
with, and that they probably will be
to the next election The Know
Nothings will have the game in their hands
The questions then recur, what is to be their
programme for the Presidential election? VINO
will be their candidate How will they nomi-
nate him? What will he his platform? Aad
how will they conduct the electoneering bu-
siness of rhe campaign?
These are important ques,ions but they may
be answered in very brief exposition OF toe
simple constitutional plan which the Know
NothiDgs will most probably pursue. When
the Presidential campaign comes on, they will
meet 10 their State councils aud in each Sta5e
respectively, nominate an electoral ticket.
emitting any mention Of their candidate for
President or Wee President. Their electoral
ticket itself. to the uninitiated, map be left n
matter Of conjecture till election day; bur II
will most likely leak ont in the outset. or il
the progress of the canvass, as secret o.
secondary importance. In any event, the usua,
caption Of the electoral ticket-to wit, the can
didates Of the party for President and Vice
President-will be left blank. The people do
not vote for President and Vice President
they vote for the electoral ticket, as expressly
ordained in the federal constitution.
Under this plan, the newspapers may have as
many candidates for the Know Nothings as
they please; but Of the real candidate tn y
will know nothing, or next to nothing, till alter
the election. This arrangement will leave the
claims of every Presidential aspirant in the
country perfectly free for newspaper discus
sion, and every one Of them may have as many
organs as may volunteer in his behalf, or as
many as he can afford to purchase. Gen. Scott,
Gen. Wool, Gen. Houston, Gen. Cass, Gen.
Pierce, Gen. Pillow, and all the other generals,
all the Cabinet and Kitchen Cabinet, Buchan-
an, Mason, Dickinson, Hunter. Fillmore, Clay
ton, Everett, Crittenden, John Bell, Jacob
Broome, Henry S. Mott Mayor Conrad, Daniel
Ullmann, and all the rest, may have run, il they
choose in the newspapers and on the stumn each
as the candidate Of the Know Nothings But
the order themselves will most probably come
to no fixed determination upon their candidate
till after the election. If, when the election is
over it shall turn out that the Know Nothings
have secured majority of the vote Of the cleo
ioral colleges then, by prcconcerted arrange
ment oftheir councils, their electoral tickets in