The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1855-06-22
The Know Nothing Pow Wow.

The Know Nothing Pow Wow.
We have at last seen something of what the
Know Nothing pow did at Phadrl phia du-
ring their regent session. 1t will be remembered
that it was charged and proved, far as the acts
and speeches OF any set Of men could prove any
thing, that the Northern and North western men,
bers Of the dark lantern council were abolition.
lists that their most burning desire was 10 crush
The South, by destroying her institutions and de.
priving her Of her Constitutional rights. This
was charged and proved by the Democratic press
of the South and bitterly denied by that Of their
opponents They said that it a Constitutional
National Party, that they went for recognising
the rights of the States obedience TO existing laws
and denounced all agitation Of the Slavery ques.
ton.
1t will not be denied that the strength Of the
Know Nothing Order lay at the North; that in
that region OF isms it had its birth, that there it
grew with fungus rapidity and there ii triumphed.
that in its first attempt TO take root on Southern
SOIL the bIighlng frost Of defeat wthered its young
hopes, and sent it bowling back to its native Mas.
saohusetts, there among its unitarian and abolition
friends to seek consolation and concoct new
schemes Of operation.
No one has ever, to knowledge, been so
stupid as TO charge the Southern Know Nothings
with entertaining views anngonistc to the insti-
tuons of their section-but they did cooper ale,
leaders.
Well, delegates from all parts Of this broad
Union met in secret concIave in the city of Pha-
deIphia, and after feasting. speechifying. wire
pulling and divers other things, they adopted
good Southern Resolution on the subject of slave.
ry. But what was its effect !-Why it broke. as
any one conversant with that heterogeneous body
would have known, the order into two wings de.
stroyed its nationality and stripped Messrs. Ray.
and other aspirants OF the last vestge of hope
for the attainment Of the spoils.
The majority of delegates voted for the plat
form, whereupon So out Of 50 northern members
withdrew forthwith, organized another meeting.
and sent forth number Of Resolutions suitable
to their antecedens. Thus the last hope Of the
Know Nothings TO form National Party vanished,
though the leaders will be the last to tell the PEG.
pie SO. The case stands thus: in every State
where the Know Nothings were in The ascendant
their delegates Withdrew, and it was only those
who had no constituents, SO far as the Presiden-
tia election is concerned, voted for The majority
report, which is the adopted platform.
The order then is secionalized, was the
Wing party-Ihe Northern ard Southern wings
can never unite-and there be any
prospect Of uniting the South until it is disbanded.
No man who knows what Democratic principles
are, or who respects the Constitution, can ever I
operate with an order whose cardinal principle
1eprives man OF his franchise on account OF his |
birthplace, and creates religious test quail.
icaIion for office. To the Democratic party must
he country look for the preservation of the Union,
and the protection OF the rights OF all sections
The present Administration has proved its con-
servatism, its nationality, and its regard for The
great doctrine Of States Rights. Our present
Chief Magistrate by the wise exercise Of he veto !
power has stayed the squanderng OF the public
ands protected the Treasury from Gal phinism;
and by the firm enforcement of the laws Of Con.
yress has demonstrated even to federal Massachu-
sets, in spite o! her abolition howlings, that the
Fugitive Slave Law should be executed, even at
he nazard Of burning the city oil Boston.
And this is the man whom Southern gentleman
lenounce-and for what? Because be will not
end himself to the vile purposes Of building up a
ecreI party; which, if successful. would sap the
lbertes of the people and overthrow The flares,
abric of Government ever devised by The wit Of
nan.
Its useless TO wara Southern Democrats against
t. The Order will have no accessons from that
those who have been deceived into
are leaving the sinking ship with all possible !
peed.
%" We return thanks 10 some unknown
riend for a copy of Catalogue of the Trustees,