The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-12-13

TIE LAST Know NorHMe VscroRns.-The
recent tEiunphs Of the Know Eothing ticket in
Boston and Wore ster are more remarkable
than any n the ,revious successes of the party.
In Boston, the Know Nothing candidate for the
Aayoralty was opposed by al the old parties,
% well - the temperance, free soil and CARR
sonian organizati ms; his success, in the face
Of such OPP osiH n, is the strongest proof we
have yet had Of the power Of the party which
supported him. 1t is, also, veri6cation Of the
doctrine we have always endeavored to incul-
cate--that the old parties have become dis
tasteful to the people, and that they have now
commenced 20 rec themselves from the chains
which have bound them 80 long.
The Know Kings have commenced at the
root Of the tree. They have formed their party
by the aggregation OF units, b, he banding to-
gcther Of men for the avow, d purpose Of bring
ing about certain needed reforms, each member
of the party being pledged to carry cut to the
fullest extent its principles and its discipline.
No great and successful party has ever been
built up in any Other manner, as the lessons of
history teach us. It Yves by these means that
the American Revolution was made successful;
and the democratic party in the time of Jeher-
son was formed in the same manner. These
are the two great vents in the political history
of the United States, and the future will show
that the rise and progress Of the Know No
thing party is the third memorable epoch in
the career of the republic.
The chief objection to the Know Noshings is
founded upon their secresy. It is alleged that
they hold midnight meetings, that they have
certain hidden matters which the public
must not know upon any account, add that
they have positively arrived at the conclusion
that they have right to transact their
business without taking the trouble to call in
all the world as witnesses. We should be glad
to know how this feature can be properly made
matter of eensure, when every political or
ganization that ever existed has pursued al
most the same course. Every party has its
secret caucutes and clubs, its close committees
and it's private business, to the meetings or the
knowledge Of which none but the elect are ad-
mitted. If the secret history of the democratic
and whig parties in this country was fully
written, we apprehend that their existence,
now hanging upon . very slender thread, would
be cut short at once.
We have previously alluded to differences
which have arisen in some oil the Know
Nothing lodges in this State. No danger is to
any rate. Like all other powerful parties, the
Know N0tbings have certain excrescences-
certain decayed politicians certain allies OF
Seward-who have insinuated themselves into
the lodges in order to subserve their own ends
and those of their master. The late difficulties
have occurred in consequence Of the efforts of
the Know Nothngs proper to rid themselves of
these pestilent members. The process Of pur-
cation is now going on. The Seward men may
rest assured that it will be thorough and COM
plete.
THE UNITED STATES A MEDIATOR IN EUROPEAN
AFFAms.-A proposition has been laid before
Congress recommending the employment Of the
good Offices of this country in the adjustment Of
the difficulties which have involved several Of
the European nations in war, and which are
likely to lead to more extensive embodiment.
The project seems plausible enough, and there
is no reason why it should not prove feasible.
Congress might authorize the President to send
three or more of our most distinguished states
men to Europe on this mission of peace. We
cannot see why this great republic, which occu-
pies so leading position amongst the civilized
nations Of the world, should not have as much
influence in the settlement of these unhappy
differences as either Austria and Prussia. 1t
would at all events possess this great advan-
,age over them as q mediator-thAt its mo-
tives would be above suspicion.
ANNEXATION RUNNING INTO THE GROUND