Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1855-06-26
THE KNOW NOTHING PLATFORM.

q pdtlieu Win htGeL1iuu
our readers that this platform was adopted onIy
Ly the Southern and two of the Northern States;
that every State which the know nothings have
carried has fepudiated this platform; and that, Of
he States which adopted it, the know nothipgs
have no hope Of carrying more than cue or two.
With this preface, let us examine its panks:
/ The acknowledgement OF ihst Almighty
Being who rules over the universe, who presGes
over the councils Of nations who conducts the az
fairs OF men, and WHO, ia every step by which
have advanced to the character of On independent
nation, has distinguished US by some token of
provdentiAl agency
The objection tc the platform as a whole may be
stated here a commentary on the first plank:
that, generally, it gravely asserts facts which no
party in this country has ever disputed. The os-
tsntstons and patronising recognition CT the ex-
lstence ofa Almighty Being who rules the world,
rs though it were matter 10 be discussed with
some other party, is alike unjust and irnpious.
The democratic party firmly believe in the exist
euce of an Almighty Ruler of the world, and
that He will bring to judgment any set of men
who attempt to assert his prerogative and to pun
ISL men even for errors of religious belief
IT. L The cultivation and DEVELOPMENT OF SEN
psssionste attachment 10 our country, its history
and its institutions Of sd Dirstion for the Durer
days Of our national existence; of veneration for
the heroism that precipitated our revolution; and
of emulation for the virtue, wisdom, and patriot.
ism that framed constitution and FIRST success
fully applied its provisions
There is humbug and can't enough in that SEN
tence to make the fortune of professor of hum
tuggery. We have, first a seatin.ent; second
sentiment OF feeling; third, it is to be intense;
fourth, it is to be profoundly intense; fifth, is to
De al American feeling; sixth. there is to be an
attachment seventh, passionate attachment to
cur country, to its HISTORY, and its institutions
There is to be, eighth, admiration for the puyer
CHAN what p days OF Our existence; and ninth, of
generation for the heroism that precpiGted C) our
resolution. We had supposed that British aaisrule
lad Precipitoted 1t quite as much IS any heroisn.
III. Z" The maintenance of the Union of these
United States as the paramount political good or,
20 the language OF Washington, tie primary
object OF patriotic desire and hence,
" 1st. Opposition to all attempts to weaken or
subvert il.
"2d. Incorporating sntaconsIn to every
principle of policy that endangers il
sd. The adequacy of equitable adjustment
CT all political differences which threaten Its integ-
Tity perpetnity.
'4th The suppression Of all tendencies to polt-
cal divisions founded on geographical discrim-
nutiUns, the belief that there is real differ
ence of interests and views between the various
sections of the Union.
9Th The full recognition of the rights of the
several States, as expressed in the constitution;
sbd a careful avoidance by the general government
of ell interference with their rights by gsatve
OF executive action"
Now, we should Ike to be told the use of party
platforms, except to enunciate principles which
=omsbody Disputes It would be ridiculous for a
body of scholars to pass resolution that two and
two make four. Yet not more ridiculous than for
set of politicians to get together and resolve, a.
above, that thst is right which nobody avows to
be wrong. The acts of these know nothngs are
10 conflict with the resolution. The representatives
Of than half the know nolhngs in the Union
left the convantion because of the adoption of this
very platform. They would not agree to let alone
the slavery question: and, so far as they are con-
cerned, as We have before remarked they dissolved
the Union.
"IV. Obedience TO the constitution of these
United States the supreme law Of the land
sseredy obligatory upon all its parts and members,
and steadRst resistance to the spirit of innovs-
lion upon its principles, however pecious the pre-
points it may only be legally ascertained and ex-
pounded by the Judicial power of the United States.
" And as o corollary TO the above:
list. 4 habit Of reverentia oSedience to the
laws, whether national State, or municipal, until
they are either repealed or declared uucoDStitu-
tional by the proper authority.
y. A tender and sacred regard for those acts of
craftsmanship which to be contradistir pushed
from acts OF ordinary legislation, ty the fact of
their being Of the nature Of compacls ana agree
Inents and SO TO be considered d fixed and set
tied national policy"
They say they will not dsobey the eonsttu-
ton of the United States" and profess " 8 habit
Of reverentisl obedience to the law" and ga re-
gard for compscts and agreements We don't
wor der that the know nothings of Massachusetts,
Thought best TO walk out Ofthe house. after hsviIg
untitled an act of Congress. The veneration OF
the know nothings for the Constitution is seen in
the establishment by them of religious test, in
violation Of the constitution. The Order has set
up Professionalism as the test of citizenship They
have excluded delegates from their own order, on
ly because they were Catholics, and even when
such delegates had been sent by the States of
Alabama and Louisiana. The laws OF the United
States and of the different States allow natural
ICED citizens TO hold Office. The Order has prac-
ticslly nullifed these laws and means to disobey
them before they can be repealed. Aud here is
another evidence of the hypocrisy of the concern.
The good things which they have incor Dorated
INTO their platform they repudiate in their con-
duct They resolve what they openly upudiate
Ia their conduct. They resolpe to support the con-
satuuon' while their leading object is To break
down and destroy of its most ipportant
proyisionsl
The I'd cOrollary above refers Ito the Missouri
compromise and was intended as salt 70, .ho,i-
tonists tails. But it is contradicted in tho 1o,h
article.
VA radical revision and modification a. the
laws regulating immigration and the settlemen Of
immigrants Offering TO the honest Immigrant
who from love of liberty hatred of ooo, es-
sion, seeks an asylum in the United States, a
friendly reception and protection But unqu,li-
fedy condenning the transmission to our shore s
of felons and paupers"
Thi. resolution is all fraud The laws no1S,
if executed are ample to prevent the transmission