The Nevada journal., 1855-07-13
Thoughts on Know Nothing Movements
BY A GERMAN.

There has been spoken anu Wrltlen
great deal about Know Nothings, particu-
larly amongst foreigners. The lower
classes of immigrants want words to give
vent to their indignation, and the chat
tering and cursing in whisky and beer
shops has been very loud, often encour-
aged by the foreign and democratic press.
But less clamorous were the protestations
of great many, who belong to more
steady and intelligent class of foreigners.
There are voices among the latter which
freely express the opinion that it is the
duty of patriotic American to watch the
increasing number of strangers, and that
there may be something right in the
movements of the Know Nothings, howev-
er hostile they may appear. And, indeed,
if a stranger does not leave the stand
point of equity, and has sense enough to
look at things as they really are, he will
keep back his bitter expressions on the
subject for some time, and point out the
road that leads to reconciliation, not to
conflict.
The United States are no longer colo
ny, a place to which fellow goes to get
rich in fortnight, to run away as soon
as his selfish wishes are fulfilled, and to
look on the country with contempt after
wards Whoever comes here should re-
member that he enters into country
which stands just as high, if not higher,
than his native land, in regard to civiliza-
ton. 1t is true, old Europe is ripper, but
for WHAT America is in the spring season
of its existence and whatever her imper-
fections, it is developed enough for the
attributes of the great and beautiful it
is the land of hope and the future.
There was time in American history
when every stranger, who landed on the
lonely shores, had to struggle with all
kinds of hardships and suforings for his
daily existence, when every new immi-
grant was q gladly received warrior against
a common enemy. The foreigner had a
right to claims at that time But that
time has passed. The Americans favor
immigration, bat they are not dependent
on it now. The sovereign voice Of the
American people can close the gates to
the stream of new -comers-can oppose to
them those barriers which European ma
tons oppose to each other. And, howev-
er rnfavorable the effect of this measure
might prove to the progress of the coun-
try, the inhabitants would nevertheless re-
main what they already arc, one of the
most powerful and happiest nations.
1t is folly in foreigner to think the
country without . master, because there
is no king-or expect lawlessness, because
the principles of government are the
freest. There is master, and there is
law. Both are represented by the will Of
the American people. And it is Just this
law which secures to the immigrants 50
many gifts which the country is so rich in.
Their first duty, therefore, is modestly to
acknowledge these gifts, and the liberal
sentiments of the people; and before look
ing boastingly round, and stretching their
arms out for command, it is their second
duty to study the people and the country;
in one word, to Americanize.
It is their duty strictly to obey the laws
of that great country, which had no objec
ton to receiving them which does not
ask where are you from, or what do you
want here, and who gives security for
you? 1t is their duty to study the prin-
ciples which made the people what they
are, to choose the hard, but sure road
which leads to personal welfare and inde-
pendence, which the country expects them
to take; it is their duty to esteem and
honor the customs and manners of the in
habitants.
A true American is interested for the
welfare of his country, country the laws
and institutions of which are the freest,
and therefore only fit for freemen and
he sees millions of people streaming into
this country-people whose languages,
fashions, and aims he does not understand,
who are not educated for freedom, and
who carry along with them the moral at
mosphere of another world. And, more
over, he discovers how regardless great
many of them are towards American in
stitutions.
Is he to blame, then, if he follows with
suspicious eyes the increasing number of
foreigners' An impartial foreigner can
not say that he is. For the history of
these days proved too clearly that there
is a party amongst foreigners, who, in
stead of Americanizing themselves, want
to make America conform to their partic-
ular manifold principles and interests
1t is this party which causes great de al
of the impending difficulties. And foolish
as its plans are, they operate fatally in
every direction. They never will be exc
cuted and, if they were, they never
could could create anything else but a
Babylonian confusion of tongues.
But that which they produce, and have
produced, is the development of the K.
N. party. Ifthese foreigners do not un-
derstand their position in due time, they
will not only themselves become the VIC
Tins of their folly, but also hurt, to a great
extent, the cause of freedom in general.
They will oblige the Americans either to
withdraw their liberal institutions from