The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-07-12
rHE furusr OBJECTS or rHE KNow-NorHINos.

THE FUTURE OBJECTS OF THE KNow-NoTHINGs.l
The suhoned letter from the Philadelphia correspondent
Of the Washington Union presents phase OF the policy
Of the combined opposition the democratic party ayng
nder the banner Of bigory and intolerance It viii be
seen that they satisfied with practically destroying
SO far as they by combinations at the polls and by Sc
cret oaths the rights citizen but that they have re-
solved if possible to defeat the cH The people n The nea
presidential election Recognising the fountain OF power
in the secret desperate and dishonest politicians
il is proposed 10 allow this mould and 10 direct the
votes of the people in the presidential contest in 1856 50
that these votes may pe made imperative and the objects
of the secret leaders secured The indirect method of cast
ing the popular for the agents of the people instead
Of for the candidates themselves has often been objected to
by our abest statesmen but this is the first time that
conspiracy Of few desperate and oathbound politicians
OF any other party has dared to seize upon this system
for the purpose of promoting dsrepuabe and mercsnary
views That great achievement reserved foe the
party Of know-nohings.
While we call attention to the mastery letter Of
respondent however, we prepared endorse his
suggestions the best way of avoiding the danger
which he forcshadows.
PHILADELPHIA, July 8 1858.
The constitution of the United States says n reference
TO the election Of Presiden and Vice President that each
State shall appoint in such the Legislature there
OF may direct number OF electors" &c IL says nothing
of the action of the people much less of the Ia
which their votes shall be cast The intervention Of cleo
tors necessary expedient after adopting The compro-
mise upon which the Executive should be chosen In all
the States but the privilege of appointing these
mediate agents has been given the people but most
essential power has only been withheld from them
but has been renquished by the Legislatures themselves
this TIE power force the electors cast the vote of
the States they represent in accordance with the wishes
the people Of each Ordinarily necessity for tins has been
considered Of those Improbable possibilities for which
it considered expedient for the law pgoyde and
soa the corruption Of human nature has not so fully fas-
tered to demonstrate the contrary. ssy so tar-I
mean up TO the last presidential election but change
is at hand ! secret organization with secret pur
poses aud which conducts its essential operations in
secret, has been, and still connae5 10 be- tolerated
by the community The broken link to which have re-
erred in the existing election laws has the ae
ton of that seconsttuted body and IL has arrived at The
rational conclusion that If allowed to conduct its opera
tons with closed doors and sealed lips il certainly do
with mpnnity whatever sanctioned by law To this end
il has determined to vote the presidential election in
1856 for unbound electors The people in different sections
OF the Union are OF course to have rally upon
but the real business Of clecng President and Vice
selves and under the direction of the principal lodges
This say will be legal Yet sir are you willing to see the
law thus carried out II this irresponsible organization
should the election OF majority of ecctors--say
two hundredafe you willing see the next President
appointed by that number of delegates nom know-nohng
lodges II majority Of the people Of this country vote
against the democratic nominee at the next election
will that deprive Of all interest in the result? Ger
tainly not II is part of creed submit to major
ty but viii not have right to that it that
majority that do submit? But you may say some
other may respond that this is d refined charge II is
for all that Up to this il hes been the
intention of the know-nothna conventions to agree upon
any upon any platform Of principles They have
agreed to disagree, and have given you the object
Now after the above statement and admitting the pos
sbiy that the organization referred may be able
to nct such legal treason upon the country would il
be better to adopt preventive at once think and
hence venture upon the sequel
The constitution leaves the OF appointing electors
10 the legislatures of the several States The legislatures
therefore, either elect those agents themselves in the
of South Carolina they authorize the people
elect them In all the States but the latter has
been adopted but subject the broken link referred
Besides this the system has always been perpexng and
has in many instances led the loss of This could
be easily obyiatcd in the following manner
Let the several States by law authorize their governors
appoint the day OF election the number Of electors
to which they each entitled.
Let it be the positive duty of the said electors to cast the
of their respective States in accordance with the
popular vote.
Then finally, and above ALL let the people meet at their
several precincts and for for President and
one for Vice President
This would have nothing to do with the compromises Of
the constitution 1t would prevent the contemplated
of the know-nohing and the people would be mmeas
uraby gracd Let adopt the ISSUE and party dare
oppose it. There is time enough Pennsylvania set
the ball in motion this winter and it will roll faster than
the Maine law. S. H.