The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1854-11-03
THE WASHINGTON UNION LEANING
TO KNOW NOTHINGISM.

A flood of light appears to have poured in
upon the Washington Union, sineethe recent
elections, insregard to the Know Nothings,
and those who are famiIiar-and who is not
with the unparalleled agility of the editor
of that paper in throwing somersets will not
be at all surprised to see him come out
shortly in very decided terms in favor of the
0mysterious organization" he has been for
some time so violently denouncing. How
much he has been cooled down by "the late
significant expressions of popular feeling"
will be seen from the following passage in a
recent editorial article of his:
ain taking its position it should be careful
" borne in mind that the Democratic party
neither assumes that the naturalization laws
as they now exist are perfect, nor that for
eigners have not on some occasions subjected
themselves to lust censures, nor that the
Roman Catholic religion is based upon the
true Christian creed. Citizenship is Il boon
granted TO foreigners by the liberality of our
institutions, and this last cannot be too care
fully weighed and appreciated by our foreign
citizens They should constantly remember
that the high privileges conceded to them
have been granted npon the reasonable ex.
pectation that they would surrender their
distinctive native nationalties, and becom fus-
ed and assimilated TO our native citizens in
all their feelings sentiments, and devotion to
our liberal institutions 1t becomes them
now, in view of the late significant expires.
sions of popular feeling, to consider well
whether, in their past conduct they may not
have given occasion TO much of the opposi-
ton which eXistsagainst them. Native Amer
leans are Justly proud of their high preroga-
tives, and they are naturally jealous of any
thing like foreign influence upon their insti-
tutions. In these sentiments and feelings we
participate to the fullest extent and it is be-
cause we do that we so earnestly repel the
imputaton that the Democratic party has pur-
sued, or will ever pursue, San incendary poll
cy," in order TO conciliate the foreign VOTE
Naturalized citizens oaght to see, in the i'm
mense increase Of foreign immigration, with
in the last few years, legitimate reasons for
an earnest investigation by native citizens of
the probable influence of this increase of for
eign population upon our institutions. This
is a fair and legitimate subject for discussion;
and if it shall result in the conviction that
our naturalization laws are defective, and re-
quire to be amended and reformed, the natur-
allied citizens ought neither to be surprised
nor to complain. 1t may be assumed as a
fixed fact that the native American population
will never consent to any modification Of the
principles which characterized eirinstitutions,
and from whatever quarter they see danger of
this kind they will be prompt to meet and re-
pei it. When the suggestion is made that
this danger turks under the religious creed
of the Catholics, it is right and proper that
the truth of the suggestion should be sifted
to the bottom, and TO such an investigation
none will contribute more than the democra-
cy."
Does not this look as if the editor of the
official organ of the Administration was put
ting himself in training for the desperate feat
of somer-setting right down in the ranks of
the Know Nothings! lie will do it to GER
tainty, and be proud of hisagiIity, if he thinks
he can thereby subscrve the purposes of his
party. Look out for speedy conversion of
the official organ to Know Nothingism