Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-08-23
AMERICAN POLITICS.


| American politics are, perhaps, in more per
picked condition than they have ever been in
before From whatever point they are viewed
whether the scope be broad or narrow, they
present most confused, perplexed and chaotic
| appearance. The good honest old fashion Of
having two parties beneath whose shadows no
| factions and no cliques can flourish, seems fast
falling into disrepute. Faction now every
where lifts its hydra-head. Instead of factions
being crushed by great parties, these parties are
| crippled by factions
If we survey the great field of national poll
| tics, we find melancholy divisions and deep
seated diseontents. We find great sectional
freesoil organization that has almost absorbed
the Northern Wing party, and has made inroads
on the Northern Democratic party. This organi-
cation is headed by fanatics and knaves and
recruited by ignorant fools and aspiring dema-
gogues. Interruptions men who had no hopes
of advancement in the old and respectable par
! ties, have been attracted to this organization
which bestows its rewards On the most clamor-
GUS and the most INSCRIPTIONS.
But, as if there were not sufficient room in
the Freesoil party for all the INSCRIPTIONS,
the disahiected, the disappointed, and the am
bilious, another organization has sprung up, as
/ if by enchantment, and without passing through
the usual processes of helpless infancy, hopeful
boyhood, and ripening youth, it has suddenly
shot into the mature Development Of lusty man
hood. 1t leaped upon the arena, like Minerva,
full-grown and completely armed. Its appear
ance could not have been more sudden, if it
had been evoked from the neither world by ma
| gical spells and unholy incantations. This
abrupt, unceremonious, and uncouth visitor is
the know-nothing organization. Venus, we
are told, sprang from the foam of the sea. Tn.
ike Venus, this formidable monster owes its
/ existence, if We are rightly informed, to the
sinks and the sewers of New York. 1t is
characterized by all the secrecy and all the
power Of the Spanish Inquisition. 1t has
spread with one fell swoop from New York to
/ the neighboring cities 1t has extended to
/ town and hamlets, and penetrated the recesses
! ofthe country.
Like the Freesoil organization this party has
made its inroads on the regular and old fash
Toned political organizations of the country.
Unlike the Freesoilers, it is held together by
common hatred Of foreigners and an mplacable
hostility TO the Catholic religions but, like
the Freesoilers, we believe that opposition to
slavery, is one Of its vital and elemental prin-
ciples.
Its platform is broad, and supplies plank
for every unsound politician to stand upon.
Ii is wider than that of the Freesoilers. If our
supposition as to the principles ofthis new party
be right, then the freesoiler and the abolitonist
may join it with better hopes Of success than
by maintaining their present one-idea organi
cation. The anti Catholic may join it, whether
he be Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Epis
copalian, or what not. The demagogue may
join it, the broken.down politician, the place
seeker, the disappointed, the disafected, may
all alike cast in their fortunes with it.
Further we believe that it is a Wing con.
trivance. Never yet within our knowledge has
a democrat been elected to Office by these
Know-nothings. But in this brief survey we
have not the space for further remarks on this
secret society.
If we quit the field Of national politics. and
extend our observations to the different States.
we will find the same confusion, the same dis
contents, and the same divisions. We will
glance at two, in which, however, these discon-
fonts and d;v;e;ooe ,.o 49, ,,Iod a. 49, -.
in more aggravated forms than in the rest
New York and Missouri. We see in the first
Of these States the Wing party divided into the
+" silver greys" and woody heads"--the Demo.
cratic party into the hards and sofs." In ad.
dition to these, we have the Aboltionists and
Freesoilers, and 10 crown all--the Know.noth-
ings Their contests are fierce, and their re.
sentiments indispensable.
In Missouri we find the same elements, but
embodied in different forms, and characterized
by different nomenclature, we wish we could
add, by less bitterness. With harmony amongst
the democrats in these two States, democratic
success would be certain.
Now what has brought about these deplora.
bic discontents and divisions throughout the
country. Nothing we believe but demagogues
and selfish and aspiring politicians. Against
demagogues, that pestilent growth Of republics
our early sages and patriots cautioned us. We
should not be unmindful Of their warning.
The people ought to rise in their majesty, and