Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1854-11-02
Saturday, October pa, 1854.
Know Nothingism and Politics.

knoW othingtSm and Ioltlcs.
We perceive that newspapers and pol
iticiaus on both sides Of the prominent
political questions of the day, seek to
throw on their opponents any odium
which may sppcrtain to Know Nothing
ism-by accusing them Of encouraging
the order or being in some manner con-
nected with and involved in it. Those
who use their eyes and judgement will
not be deceived in this matter. So far
as Know Nothing;sm has thus far mani
tested itself in politics it has been entire
" independent Of party organizations. 1t
takes its candidates without the least re-
spect to parties, and where it cannot find
suitable ones among those already i'll
nomination, it dominates in secret its own
candidates and votes for them. At the
late election in Pennsylvania, it will be
recollected that the Wig candidate for
Governor got some 10000 votes MAORI
ty. while the Democratic candidate for
Canal Commissioner got 10000; result
brought about it is well understood by
the Know Nothings, and such has been
the case in every state in almost every
election. How then can it be said that
the Republican Party or the Democratic
Party is in any manner responsible for
the action Of the Know Nothings. They
act of themselves and for Themselves
striking down Republican here and a
Democrat there. and liftingup whom they
please.
We have reason to know that an or
ganization Of this character exists in this
city, and We have reason to know further
that men of all parties belong to it; and
we believe another thing, that a denial
of membership on the part of an individ-
ual is no evidence that lie does not belong
to it; for we have heard men deny being
members that we know are such. In
deed we infer there is something liz the
organization which justifies. requires, and
makes merit of such denial and which
leads its members to be active at politi-
cal meetings in offering Anti-know No
thing resolutions, and in getting up An
ti-Know Nothing meetings; and we think
it quite safe, as a general thing, when an
individual makes himself particularly
conspicuous in abusing the know-No-
things to set him down as a leading
member of the order. There is no qua
rantee in this matter except the known
previous history Of the individual in
question, and his known and well under
stood political sentiments.
On this ground we should suppose
there were much fewer members of the
Republican party connected with the or
eanization. than Of the Old Democracy.
That there are some Republicans connec-
! ted with it we do not doubt but how
could class Of men, the basis Of whose
political organization is equal and exact
rights and justice to all men, without re-
gard to cline or color.-WhO draw all
their strength and vitality from that
sourcc,-to any extent become members
of the order. We feel confident there
are but few Of them.
On the other hand, the very basis, ele-
ment and vitality of the Democracy rests
upon denial Of rights to one class Ct
of men. They ignore in fact the princi-
pie upon which human rights rest. What
is to prevent them from prescribing other
classes Know Nothingism looks to us
ike a natural and inevitable o1-shoot OF
modern democracy, and we feel conf
dence if the public could understand who
are the members. they would find very
large proportion Of this order to consist
| Of these men.
Think Of it.