The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-06-04

TAe Know Nothing Me sting
The Know Notings have at length held
public meeting, for the purpose Of pre-
as appears by the report published else
where. But those who expected that this
first public demonstration of the formida-
BILE secret body that has been frightening the
old political leaders all over the country would
lead to important disclosures, or be the signal
fora political coup d'Etat, have been eyre
giously mistaken. The performance on Satur-
day wes entirely harmless in character, and
the speeches were Of the m2dest description.
With the exception of two, the orators confined
themselves to the occasion in hand, that is to
say, to Mr.. Barker's pitcher. The two who
gave the reins to their eloquence were Judge
Campbell and Mr.. Jas. Brooks It is to be pre-
sumed that the discourse of the former gentle
man must be regarded as the antidote to his
after dinner speech at the ST. Georges Sooie-
tvs dinner; those who desire to knew what
Judge Campbell's opinions are may strike
mean between the two, and set the product.
down as his political faith. As for Senator
Brooks, it has been plain for some time both
that he is bent on making what personal capt.
tai he could out of the Know Nothing move
ment, and that he is wofully deficient in
the tact required for the achievement
Of any permanent success; no one there.
fore will read with any establishment the
very silly remarks which he uttered on Satur-
day. The smallest ray Of good fortune is fatal
to minds of a certain calibre; the avowal by Mr..
Brooks of his preference for Fred. Douglas
over such men as Alexander Hamilton of
Albert Gallatin may be regarded as only the
first symptom of his folly.
In fine, the meeting on Saturday was harm
less, pleasant business. It passed off WE'LL and
no serious mischief was done. But It is high
time for the Know Nothings to convince them
elves that, if they wish to perform any useful
thing in the world Of politics, all this child's
play of grips, and pitchers and passwords must
be laid aside, and their loins girt for grave and
real work. The old political parties are not to
be overturned by cabalistic mummeries, or
stark nonsense like the speeches Of Brooks. If
the Know Nothings intend to obtain political
control Of the State, the battle with the ancient
democracy must be fought with very different
weapons from these. Whatever power may re-
side in the mystic paraphernalia of secret
society is necessarily small and short lived:
men come to regard grips and signs with con-
tempt, and underhand wire workers with sus-
picion: the charm of novelty and the desire for
change may ensure a few local triumphs for
while, but abiding power and extended
success can only be conquered under a fair
open flag, round which earnest men can
rally conscientiously. The opportunity for
the new party is promising Everything
points to the necessity for thorough change of
political leaders. The country is sick Of the !
old parties with their lying platforms, their
dishonest compromises, their corrupt coalitions
and their utter want of administrative capa-
city. But if the Know Nothings suppose that
they can be overturned with few empty
words-that, like, certain genera OF fish, the
people Of the United States will catch at any
bait that is offered them, be 1t food or be It
o mere rag--they are destined to disappoint-
ments and defeats from which they will not
revive. The lesson taught them in Virginia
should not be thrown away. Each blunder of
theirs gives strength to the democracy. 1t
will be as easy for the Know Nothings of New
York and the middle States to elect demo.
crat in 1856, as it was for the Legislature of
Massachusetts, to elect Wise.
All depends on the Council to be held at
Philadelphia Organized on the plan of the
Senate, seven members of the Order being pre-
sent from each State, it will fairly represent
the Know Nothings thr oughout the country:
and the people at large will receive implicitly
its proceedings as the criterion Of the faith of
the new party. 1t Is not for moment to be
disguised that an error on the part of that
Council would be completely fatal to the pros
poets Of the Order for 1856. All eyes are
turned to Philadelphia; and the great mas, of
voters who decide the fate OF the Union are
waiting for news from thence to decide upou
their course. If the Council adopts ma
tonal platform, on fair constitutional bases
due regard had to all sections of the
country, and launches its agents abroad with
full powers to organize the canvass on the
broad principle Of opposition to the admins.
ration aud reform and publication Of the ad |
illustrative departments Of the government. |
uccess may be pretty confidently expected.
Il on the contrary, sectional issues are reopen |
ID, or the great questions which agitate the
country are ignored; or If the real BUSINESS
# the Council is postponedto the discussion of |
rips and signs or email narrow questions about
se nativity OF Office holders and such trifies.
Know Nothings had better make their minds
oon as possible to confne their useful.
elartion of unavora an5 orr.lI C1.I |