Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1855-05-02
THE KNOW.N0THINGs AND CUBA.


| The course of the know-nothngs in relation 10
our difficulties with Spain is forcibly commented
on by the Memphis appeal in the annexed article
WHERE DO THEY STAND Pin case of a conflict
on the Cult of Mexico, with Spain, backed bv the
arrogant national regulators England and France,
where will the Know Nothngs-the Anie,tcu,i
Party stand? Will they with one accord, as the
patriots they claim to be, make good their title to
the uame they have assumed 10y sustaining Pres-
dent Pierce to the last extremity; or will they as
their leaders have done in times past turn their
traitorous batteries OF denunciation against him
thus giving laid and comfort to the enemy" A
despoLic torsgn nation has insulted our FLAG en-
barrassed our commerce, imprisoned our CONNER
Cia agents and butchered without trial. our worthy
and gallant citizens; and President Pierce in ODE
dience to the will Of AneTicanS-native-bon and
adopted; the strongest representations of injured
Amel icanS-and in the discharge OF a duty which
he has solemnly sworn to perform, has sent the
american Home Squadron to the Gulf to demand
atonement for these Outrages. This seems to con-
Stitute strong and purely American case Then
we have right to ask, and to be answered.
where will tie American Party stand in the hour
of conflict They have sworn undyng hostility
to foreigners IN their oath-bound associations
Have they less hostility to foreign nations when
arrayed in warlike attitude against American in
stitnlops? Here are a nation Of foreigners offer
ing repeated and fragrant insult. Do their asso-
Citations contemplate and provide for such a case ?
If they d. we shall soon hear from them from eve
ry portion Of the Unou just as far as their secrets
signs and grips have conveyed the order and its
Obligations, and they will be found heartily ap-
proving OF the course OF the President and send
ing up from their thousand organs, words of en-
couragement to him, and of defiance to foreign ma
tons; thus giving, him the whole force of the or
ganzation
But ii they do not these things, so purely pa
trlctc and American, are they not miserable mer-
cenary, bypocrical, traitorous cabals designed in
times OF peace to secure the spofls of otlice-to
cheat the peoPle-to array threadbare whiggery
'ln purple and fine linen, and to break down the
only real, patriotic american party, which has ex-
listed in this Government?
"Anler'ca'1S must rule america say they, and so
say we. The Government should never be en-
trusted to men, whether native or adopted, who |
are not IN the highest sense OF the word Americans
Americans at heart-Americans indeed; Amer !
leans IN peace and war-Americans in the dirk |
hour Of advesity.
We shall, therefore, look with some anxiety to |
ascertain what position the Know Nothings take |
on our relations with Spain. If, organization;
if in all their councils city, county, State and Ma
tonal they pass resolutions sustaining the Presi. |
dent in his patriotic course and hold themselves in
readiness, like Americans, 20 shed their blood for |
the honor of the country, we shall not be slow to
accord to them the full measure of commentator
and encouragement; and promise to retract and
unsay every harsh expression intended to expose
what we believed to be their mercenary and unpa-
lriotc designs.
} If Americans must rule America" now is the
fine to assert and maintain the doctrine. Coun-
ellis and MEMBERSHIP not all at once if you please
speak or hereafter, hold your peace, AS decency
would seem to dictate.