The Portsmouth inquirer. [volume] (Portsmouth, O. [Ohio]) 1849-1855, 1855-07-13
Kcssuth on Know Nothingism.
Philosphphy and PeriIs Of the
Know Nothing Movement.
LoNpoN, June 18th, 1855.

SIR: A friend of mine thus writes me
from New York: The condition of things
here is as revolutionary as anywhere in
Europe What does that mean? Ii the
United States are in revolutionary con-
dition, that revolution must be chiefly of
a social character. Social revolutions i'm
ply great hazard, and afeiyery uncertain
in issue. No programme can limmit
their bearing; and no leader cbntrol their
extent. Nothing and nobody can have
power enough to say toa socialrevelnlion;.
Thus far thou shalt go. and no farther.
Such movements are dangerous weapon:
like double-edged sword, those who WELD
It offer hurt themselves before they hit the
enemy.
But what does it mean? / suppose it
means the deep, underground movement
and counter connected with
Know Nothingism.
And what is Know Nothingism? Do
you know it? | don't. I see what there
is on the wrinkling surface of the waves;
but are these wrinkles the whole of the,
matter, of are they rather but superficial
symptom Of something brewing in the
deep? Very likely the last. But What Is
the thing there in the deep? Some tell
me, "Ohl Know NoihihgiSm IS absolute
Nothingism; mere personal matter; race
for office, and places, and emoluments,
and nothing more" | don't think that
A party with no other programme but
'daub me and will daub thee-'help me
to some place, some emolument, and l
will kelp thee to some other such a
party is impossible. 1t could never mus
Ter any strong numbers, for the simple
reason, that there are not Offices and emol-
uments enough to satisfy such numbers
as are necessary to carry one single cleo
ton. they certainly try their strength
at elections, and endNavor to take hold cf
the political power vested in public func-
tionares, but it must be for some such
purpose, which is capable of enlisting the
feelings and commanding the energies of
millions.
Others tell me, that as the two great old
national parties appear to be outworn from
the simple (very natural treason, that M ost
of the differences upon which they origi-
nally were established have been disposed
of; vague longing for some new basis,
capable to enlist the enthusiasm for or
against, has got Eold Of the natural rest
lessness of men-they are longing for
something new, because the old does not
give sufficient aliment for excitement:--
Know nothlngism is something new. Its
being undefed is its chief attraction; and
its secrecy its foment. Men puttbeir own
Interpretation upon the generaliiies, which
in the lower degrees of imitation are offer
ed to the crowd. Those generalities suit
many, if not everybody, like the atnbig-
uous words of the ancient oracles. The
masses take the bait; they rush in, in hope
to find in the higher degrees of initiolion
their particular expectation realized. In
the meanwhile they receive their orders,
from mysterious authorities, and they
obey-blind instruments of an unknown
will. And behind the veil which screens
the "image of Sais," and which no pro-
fame hand dare raise, there are sitting three
or five men--perhaps fanatics, perhaps
philanthropists, perhaps ambitious, or even
imposters-who can tell? perhaps they
mediate great aims; perhaps they laugh
in their sleeves, and mean nothing but
themselves. But among Know Nothings
they at least know what they arc about,
and knowingly move the vast machinery
of those who know nothing. What diff
erent matters those behind the veil may
will, nobody can tell; but one thing they
certainly will--"power."
What do you say to this explanation
There may be something in it. But am
too far off to pass judgment on the mat.
ter, and must stop at what | see on the sur
face. And there | see an antiforeigmer
and anti-Jesmt movement. Americans
will understand me---no further explana-
tion is necessary:
Allow me some few rem arks on the first.
The development Of the lie of nations
is subject to certain gradations, like the
life of individuals: They are necessary,
because they are d law of nature. The
people of the United States generated
and brought UP rather from without than
from within, had the fortune, (whelhel
good or bad, time win show; seventy SIX
years! what is that? wink Of the eye
Beware of pride! You have not yet been
tested BY the dangerous test of time;4-
some mushrooms grow fast, but fast Il
their decay likewise; the oak has a SLOW
growth, but it lives long, VI say, the peo
pie of the United States had the good ol
bad fortune to pass, by d few gigantic
leaps, along many milestone Which
marks the slow, gradual progress in th'
life of other nations. But this uucom
mon phenomenon did not dispense then
from being to a certain degree subject t
the laws OF nature, as we see their opera
ton in the history of other nations.
The time was sure to come when tn
aggregate Of several millions Of indivual
should feel that impulse of nature whicl
beg leave to characterize by the wor'
nationality The idea Of forming dis
. tinct nationality is not compsssed With
) the narrow limits of any political instilu
tions. It partakes Of the social conditio
Of men. Social habits are derived fror
individual character, from the climate
!. from geography, &c.--they react upo
the political institutions; these, in the
: turn, react upon the social habits;-the
act upon another, like two mill stones;-
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