The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1854-08-24
HThe following communication appears
in the Cincinnati Columbian

The following communication appears
in the Cincinnati Columbian
Know Nothingism and Democracy.
l see it stated that the Enquirer, "a paper
do not see) asserts that the Know Nothings
are composed of all the wings and dsaffected
democrats, free-soilers, &C., &c. The alb
surdity of this statement is plain enough,
when you look al the election returns, and
compare them with former results. Ii is per.
fecty obvious that the Know-Nothings en-
brace very large part of the bone and sin-
ew oil the democracy-but unfortunately for
the demagogues of the party, they are not
included. 1t is equally obvious that the
"know-Nothings'' have founded themselves
on the only real democratic principles-that
Is, AMERICAN PRINCIPLES. The party of de-
mocracy has ceased to be party OF princi-
pie. The only hold it has upon its follow
ers is in catch-words and convention-drums.
10 all its opponents only wings, is pure nom
sense. The greatest opponents OF its pres
ent party organization in Ohio, are the old.
est and strongest democrats.
But enough of this. | wish to speak to an
other point. The party leaders are making
a great political bunder in regard 10 the
w-Nothings. They think and speak OF
that body as mere secret political society,
got up to oppose them; and hence they raise
the old cry of"mad dog" with the idea that
il will produce its old effect, and somebody
will be frighte ned, and that the true Ameri-
cans in the democracy will be frightened from
the defense OF their country and religion, by
the denunciations of conventions and the drill
of sergeants. This, in every respect Of the
IL mt ,s,t. 10 L. 81 II.
as mere political society, got up, like the
Tammanyites or the Miamis, the organiza.
ton would have been merely local, or soon
become ineffective. 1t would create no SEN
sation, and have little power. The strength
OF the know-Nothngsi is a SENTIMENT OF THE
AMERICAN PEOPLE. This sentiment is uni
versal, from Mackinaw to Cape Sable, aud
from st. Louis to the Sabine. 1t is an in.
dignant rising of the American Heart gains,
the base counting of foreign votes by polit =
clans. and the bold attempt of the Roman
Catholic priesthood to interfere with Ameri-
can schools. 1t is a honest sentment-it is
an American sentiment. 1t is a free senti
ment, and will survive the political burial OF
all politicians who shall oppose it. Do the
brazen faced demagogues Of the day think
the people have been blind, these many
years, to the constant court paid to foreign
ers, the open, unblushing su5serviency paid
to the Roman priests; and, down to the very
last hour, the prodiglous bribe of the public
lands, TO encourage the immi grafton of thous.
ands more from ireland and Bavaria? Read
the records Of crime and pauperism. Can
you resist the conclusion that this country
has become great lazar house, hospital
and penitentiary for Europel AS the strength
of the know Nothings" is hot in societies,
but in the hearts of the people. how soon do
politicians expect 70 destroy it! How soon
do they expect to strangle the serpent! How
soon do they expect to smother American
sentiment! Have they charter to survive
the years Of Methusaleh, or do they expect TO
bequeath Carthage resolutions TO the next
generation! There is another great mistake.
The newspapers profess to publish the
"know- Nothing" creed, &c., &c. Now,
they literally know nothing about it. Tn y
cannot know anything about it, without the
authority of the societies, which will not soon
be given. The politicians and the news
papers are alike moving in the dark.
/ AMERICANS.