The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-05-03
d. c..
OBJ 4rtss.
From the KsnoslIa (yvis.l Tribune and Telegraph.
KNOW NOTHINGISM

From the Ksnoslia Cyvisl Tribune and Telegraph.
KNOW NOTHINGISM
The editor Of the Democrat thinks that Know
Nothingism, as manifested in the recent Con-
necticut election, is something beside fear of
foreigners We think so too. We think a fear
Of foreigners has had precious little to do with
the Connecticut, New Hampshire, or any other
recent election. We have no doubt there is
secret order popularity called Know Nothings,
but that Il has the numbers or strength ascri-
bed TO it by the fears of its opponents, We do not
believe. 1t is an order or party which could
not exist or grow except rs fungus, from the
rotten remains of the old dead, and decaying
parties, and will exist no longer than the pop
uar sentiment of the country has time to estab-
lish itself according TO Its afinities, heathily,
upon the living issues of the day. What the
principles of this order are we have no means
of knowing, but we consider the idea entirely
proposterous that party which seeks TO pro-
scribe men on account either of birthplace or
religion, can have any permanent strength or
success in this country. Indeed, we Will go fur
ther, and express the same opinion with refer
ence TO any secret political organization, though
its motives and objects were as pure as those
of the angels in heaven. We might feel dispos-
ed TO pitch in, week after week, and belabor
this order with argument and reason, to its de-
feat and downfall, but we have felt from the
first that it would prove both useless and I'M
necessary. The thing is wound up, and is bound
TO keep going until il runs down, despite all
opposition; and it will run down, and that too
a. no distant day, despite any labors to keep
the breath of life IN its body. But that these
recent elections, which are called Know Nothing
victories, are such, is preposterous. so calling
them is a weak invention of the enemy, to put
a plausible face on their utter rout and de-
struction. They cry Know Nothing" before
election, TO frighten tnid voters to their assist
ance, and after II, TO smooth over the stigma of
defeat. The truth is, it is an uprisiog OF the
people, in mass, against the denominations of
the party so long dominant
1t is a very safe policy to trust to God and
the People, and leave all evils to run out, without
"pitching into" them. The old practice of
some physicians, who pursued similar course
in relation to disease of the body was called
"a patient waiting on death" We do not see
anything in Know Nothingism more unnatural
or auti-American, than there is in Slavery, but
this peculiar institution " has attained some
age, and, what is still more wonderful, the Tel
egraph is "pitching into it every week. Why
not let the thing have its course {? II is wound
mp, and is bound to keep going till it runs
DOWN."
From the Wilmington tol independent ApnlI3
KNOW NOTTINGHAM
The friends of Freedom and humanity in this
country have been for years earnestly contend
ing against one of the most malignant and dead
ly foes Of the civil and religious welfare of man
we mean Slavery. The warfare has been Sc
Misrepresentation mob violence and almost
every species of opposition, have been brought
to bear against the Anti-Slavery movement !
The friends of Freedom have made sacrifice |
after sacrifice in the cause. Anti Slavery press
es have been sustained at great cost, and lee |
turers have been sustained in the field, by the |
iberaiity of the friends of the oppressed. Old |
fogyism and demagoguism have inveterately |
opposed AntSlavery principles, but, noiwith- |
standing ell this, the Anti-Slavery movement |
has made steady and honorable progress. Anti
Slavery men courageously encountered aud over |
come every opposition. Prejudice, ignorance,
bigotry, and religious opposition, were rapidly |
giving way-the public mind was becoming
more and more concentrated on the principal
and leading question before American people
the South growing more fearful of the
mighty influence of the hosts of Northern free
men-and, just at this time, secret Order, I'M
derbasely false pretences, came creeping through
the councils of midnight conspirators diverting
question of Slavery, and causing divisions in the
ranks of freemen. Yes, the Slavery propaganda
lists, the corrupt political demagogues of our
nation, seeing that the great battle between
Freedom aud Slavery-the decisipe battle--was
soon to be fought, and fearing that through the
omnipotency of truth and public sentiment
Freedom would triumph, they rushed into the |
field, appealing 10 the sectarian prejudices of |
the people, and raising their battle cry against |
ri Il = IL =
dangerous foregners-who, coming to this |
country from under Governments and political |
institutions wholly different from our own,
would endanger the glorious liberties of the |
Republicl
From the Ashtabula 10 Sentinel Apr,5
WISE POLICY OF TIE STATESMAN
Medary, with sagacity that is not every |
where appreciated, has adopted policy that is |
wise for him. aud for the friends of Freedom |
It will prove dangerous maneuvre, if we are |
not careful The great effort of Medary is, to |
get parties back into their old relations revive |
the old Wing Party, that he understands so well |
how 10 manage, and then resume his old tactics |
and his old warfare. He has been accustomed |
TO rally the Democratic element on his side, by |
cry of aristocracy, exclusiveness, monopolies, |
&c, and, especially, opposition to foreigners. |
BY this means, he and his friends have hereto |
tOiC "iSfNtt vote Utmost entlrc- l
ly. To rally these old forces by the old slogan, |
Is darling project with him, and he has laid |
his plans accordingly. One of them is, to pre- |
sent 10 the voters of foreign birth, and the wa
vering voters who have heretofore acted with |
him, the whole opposition to the Administration |
of Pierce and the Slave Power, as but masked |
revival of the old Wing Party, with Nativism |
added The first trap he has laid was the |
magnifying the consequences of the Know |
Nothings; and for this purpose he has publish. |
ed long list of "Councils," with their mum. |
bers, &c, pretending to show some 4O, 900 votes
in the Order in Ohio. This serves the triple |
purpose, now, of creating alarm among the lib |
eral opponents of Nativism, putting up "Sam''
with the idea Ct holding the balance of power,
and impressing the Republicans with the i'm
portance of uniting with the Know Nothings,
and consulting them on nominations, DC. This
accomplished, and belief established in the
minds of the people, of fusion of the Repub-