Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-03-21
proy,e,,,o.the KNOW Nesrincs.

/ The rapid progress of the American party is
Zone of the phenomena of this age and country
The party arose suddenly and Unexpectedly, and
instantly spread to every part of the Cqnfrderacy
| 1t is now, within comparatively few months OF
its birth, furnishing, net only in the Atlantic
States of the Union, but also in California and
the remote regioa of Oregon. Such universal
and spontaneous uprising indicates that the popu
lar mind was prepared for The movement, and
goes far to prove that the reforms demanded are
necessary to the welfare Of the country. We do
not give in ia the idea of ror TopuG ror Del, nor
do we assert that the entire people may not some
! times err; but it is seldom that whole people,
lcoverinc vast territory, is So violently agtated
without good reason and adequate cause. Yet
| this movement of the people themselves, is de-
nouuced by its opponents as IA conspiracy against
the liberties of the people'' Nothing more su-
perlativeIy ridiculous has been advanced in med
ern times.
As an illustration of the revolutions wrought by
the new party, we may refer to the present con
| Presidential election the combined Wing aud
Democratic vote of that State exceeded $50 ,OO0 (;
but now their united numbers fail short of those
enrolled in the American organization. Upon the
opening of the present session of the Legislature
the three parties held caucuses TO nominate can
didates for the United States Senate-the Wing
caucus was composed of eight members, the De
mocratc of twenty two, and the Know Nothing
of ninety In the local elections throughout the
State, with very few exceptions, the sane result
| is exhibited. Lancaster, Pa, was once desgna-
ted by Van Buren, '.tho only Democratic city In
the country )" it has generally given at least TIVE
thousand Democratic majority; Int at the late
municipal election, the candidate for Mayer Of
the American party triumphed over his opponent
| by about the same majority.
There are the results in Democratic State
and Democratic city; in Wing States and COM
munities the disruption of old party organizations
is not less observable. Wherever the Wings
have attempted formal opposition, they have
been disccmtitted and overthrewn. however strong
they may have been in times past. In Kentucky,
where they have maintained the ascendency Tor
twenty-five years, the party has sucenmoed, and
declined 10 hold Convention to nominate candl-
dates for State offices.
The Democratic leaders in Virginia have che
sen different policy, and determined TO ''run "a
muck" with the new party. If this course is
dictated by honest conviction, We, at least, have
no complaints to make or denunciations to hurl.-
We are always tolerant Of difference OF opin-
ion; and the Know NothiDgs can afford TO disre-
gard the rawlings of an Honorable Member of Con-
gress who denounced them as san emanaton of
| filth and corruption" But those who have
| placed the Democratic organization OF this State
in position of antagonism TO tho American par
ty, have no right TO cry out that the Know Moth
iugs are opposing ''the Democracy" Their
leaders and wirepulers have brought the name
and all the machinery of Democracy to bear a
ganst the new organization. They proclaim
him to be the democratic" candidate, who is
traversing the State, pouring ont invectyes upon
the heads of uckless Know NothingS; and that
press claims to be Democratic, par eeccitence,
which day after day denounces and scouts at the
American party and its principles. Under en-
isting circumstances, therefore, 1t Is undoubtedly
the object of every Know Nothing, Democrat as
well as Wing, to defeat the Wise party, under
whatever name they may fight, for they have no
other organized opponents in the State.