Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1854-12-06
TIE KNOW 1oTHrNG- PLATFORM OF
MASSACHUSETTS.

The New York Herald of last Friday, in
noticing at great length The recent Ameri-
can Festivals at Walthaai and Boston, says
We have said that there is nothing alarm
ing 10 Catholics or adopted citizens in the
platform of the Know Nothings, as disclosed
in the speeches at these Massachusetts, ban
nothing alarming or dangerous to the
South. Mr.. Gardiner, tn Know Nothing
Governor elect, says substantially that the
new party is not organized upon sectional or
local principles, but upon national principles.
Mr.. Simon Brown the Lieutenant Governor
elect, has emo dcnunciations for the South y
he recognizes, as sscommon interests between
us all. the elevation Of man, and the perpe-
tuity of our institutions" Mr.. Conins in
substance declares that the Know Nothings
are decidedly opposed to the present Admin
istration, which is nothing very surprising or
dreadful; but whether the Know Nothngs
run Northern or Southern man for Presi-
dent is matter Of perfect indifference.
The Rev. Mr.. Trafton, Know Nothing
member Of Congress elect, so far from repell-
ing all foreigners for the future, says we have
room enough still for them-s'come if you
like, but be as we are'--be Americans, that's
all. Mr. Gideon f. Haynes, at Waltham,
said in so many words--s.I do not believe
that the rights Of our citizens, foreign or ma
tive, are in danger from this new party
Neither do we. Weagrce with Mr.. Haynes.
Mr. George s. Boutwell, says There will
be peace when the nation treats slavery as it
treats other local State institutions" and so
on.
Such are tn, boldly defined landmarks of
the new party of the Know Nothings as a
great national party. They contemplate the
Americanzing our fellow-citizcns, native
and adopted-they propose the invasion of
no rights guaranteed in the constitution to
individuals or to the States and they pro-
pose to act upon the simple policy Of hands
Off non-intervent in the local institutions
Of the several States in the politics of the
Presidency They have adopted the policy
of Mr. Webster, as laid down IN his speech
of the 9TH of March, iS50--the policy opon
which was secured the saving compromise
measures of that year, through the joint la
bors of such men as Clay5 Calhoun, Webster,
and Cass. 1t could hardly be expected
after the violent agifations of the slave
ry question in the North of the last thirty
odd years, and especially in Massachusetts,
that the public sentiment of that State could
in single day be maize as sound upon the
subject of slavery as the South might desire.
But when we consider the late terrible anti
Nebraska abolition excitement, particularly
I =. n
and threats of armed notification Of the laws
of Congress, we may safely say that this sud-
den uprising of the Know Nothings, and
these Massachusetts, disclosures OF tAeir prin-
ciples, are conclusive of a wholesome rcae-
ton in the public opinion of the North upon
the subject of Southern slavery.
In Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and other
States, the cooperation of The Know Moth
ngs, more or less, with all the other oppo-
nents Of the administration, wings, freesol-
ers, temper nee men, and what not, was nat
urally calculated to mislead the South to the
conclusion that this new American party had
really joined the league of the Seward anti
slavery coalition. But, having finished off
the administration, we next find the Know
Nothings in New York, turning their bate
ries against Seward and his disunion party.
They took the field at the eleventh hour, or
it is very evident that they would have done
the work as effectively for Seward and his
coalition in this State as they did it for the
administration in Pennsylvania and Ohio
In Massachusetts, however, with the most
unquestionablc impartiality, they have repu-
dated Wings, Democrats aud Freesoilers,
and have taken the State and the Geld on
their own account.