The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1854-10-20
NASHVILLE CORRESPONDENCE.
NASHVILLE, Oct. l3. 1854.


Editor Athens Post The late municipal
election in this city made Developments some
what astounding to that portion Of the com
munity which is determined to work in old
party tackle OF those most completely
shocked are the political leaders OF the Demo-
cratic ranks. This is made evident by the
tone Of the principal organs, OF which the
Nashville Union and American, as OF right 1t
should, seems to take the lead. 1t is not less
amusing than strange, to see with what una
batting energy this paper strives to sustain
the assertion that ''no Democrat can be found
in the ranks of the Know Nothings, "by whom
it is evident the results alluded to have been
produced. say this seems strange, because
the evidence is SO pal pable to the contrary
that it is nothing less than wilful pertinacity
to try to controvert it.
However little may be known OF the mys,
FERROUS workings of this new order, will
venture to say that there are not three sane
men in the city of Nashville, besides the edi-
tor of the Union, who will not admit that
it finds as many supporters here in the ranks
of Democracy as Whiggery. And not only is
this the case here, but it is SO in all parts of
the Union where test has been made.
What is Know Nothingisml is aquestion not
oftener asked than answered erroneously.-
Eastman says it is the organising into secret
societies of 62f,29 Protestants of Tennessee
for the purpose of excluding 1877 little ragged
children from the benefits of education, be-
cause they were unfortunate enough to have
been born in another country! AS there is
no evidence that he is in the secrets of the
Order, it would be in accordance with COM
mon sense to suppose it probable thet he is
in error But were l positively to contra
dict him, or to say what Know Nothingism is,
should either subject myself to the imputa-
tion Of being one of the Order, or Of speak
ing in a manner as regardless of foundation
in fact as himself For these reasons shall
only give the impression that has been pro-
duced upon my mind by the conversation of
those whom l have good reason to believe
spoke advisedly. 1t is ths:-Know Nothing
ism is the disposition to curtail foreign infu-
ence and Roman Catholicism, politically, so
far as it may be accomplished by supporting
American-born for all offices in the gift of
the people, to the exclusion of foreigners,
aliens, and Roman Catholics in particular
This, as conceive, is all of this mysterious
and rapidly increasing Order. And not only
are my conceptions sustained by such eviden.
ces as alluded to, but by the Indianapolis
Sentinel, which makes known not only all the
secret signs of recognition, but all that men,
bers are obligated to perform in regard to the
accomplishment of the great end of the
Order. And this is the burden of the Sc
cret THAT they will support in all po-
litical matters for all political offices, men,
bers of this Order, providing IL be necessary
for the american interest; that if it may be
done legally they will, when elected to any
office, remove all foreigners, aliens, or Roman
Catholics from office; and that they will, in
no case, appoint such to office"
Now, sir, if there be anything in this par
ticularly hard for an American to abide by,
who has the good Of his country at heart, or
who desires the perpetuity Of this Union, i
must confess that / am oppressed with too
much selfishness to see it. For myself this
doctrine can have my support in good faith
whenever it shall be required. SUE.