Washington sentinel., 1855-02-20
NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN KNOW.
NOTHINGs-DO THEY AGREE.

But few short months have elapsed since
Wings and Wing papers, in every part Of the
South, denounced in bitter and indignant terms
the abolition sympathies and proclivities of
their brethren of the Northern States. The
ant-Nebraska fever ragged with terrific violence
in the non.slave holding States, and unprinc-
Piled fusion was the order of the day. Northern
Wings of every hue and stripe fraternally
fused into an affectionate union with the Abo.
litionists, Freesoiers and incendiaries A loud
voice for repeal came up from the throats of
the Northern Wings. Congress was flooded
with abolition petitions The Senate and the
House were denounced with unmeasured acri-
mony for passing the Nebraska bill. II was
proclaimed that all the elements and atoms of
abolitionism had united in a great crusade
that Wings and Abolitionists, saints and sim
ners, Freesoilers and Temperance men, Jews,
and Gentiles, Turks, and Christians had all
fused into formidable alliance to assail and
batter down the Sebastopol of slavery. There
was mighty stir and a profound agitation.
The Wings of the South became alarmed
They saw that they could not cooperate longer
with Northern Wings, who gave such frightful
signs of unsoundness. In public and in pri-
vate the Southern Wings lifted up their voices
in loud condemnation Of their leprous brethren
Of the North. They declared that they would
no longer affiliate with them. Among the
Presses that were the most prompt and violent
in their denunciations Of the Northern Wings,
were the Richmond Whig and the Petersburg
Inteliigencer. We admired their candor and
commended their loyalty. We so expressed
ourselves But what drew from us sincere ex.
pressions of admiration, excited at the North
an ill-disguised alarm. Scarce was the feeling
OF the Southern Wings made known at the
North before open anti-slavery agitation ceased.
1t ceased suddenly, and all men wondered at
the ominous silence. What was roaring lion
became all at once gentle lamb.
The secret Of this sudden change from wrath
to meekness is easily explained.
There was an organization that allowed all
men whatever might be their opinions on slavery
to meet in harmony and mingle in love- 1t was
the Know.nothing organization, whose boast it is
that il "sinks the question Of slavery" North.
ern Wings and northern Aboltionists saw at
q glance that this organization afforded them a
safe refuge from southern condemnation.
With the instructive sagacity that belongs to
the vicious, they saw that they could entrap
southern Wings into a reunion. For some
time they we're mum on the subject Of slavery.
The Order spread. II spread like wild fire.
II extended South and extended West. 1t was
triumphantly proclaimed that it was n great
national party that would break down all other
parties and elect the next President.
Fanatics cannot stiae their electric impulses.
They cannot long be silent. They cannot keep
secrets. Nor was it long before the suppressed
Abolitionism of the Northern Know-nothings
burst forth with volcanic violence. They elect
ed rank Abolitionists to high office, and in
public meetings ostentatiously declared the
close alliance between Free Soilism and Know