Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-06-07
From tho Baltimore American.
The American Party.

their expectations. -.Ea-fE
From tho Baltimore American.
The American Party.
The American or Know Nothing party Ia just
now considered sick man." An unexpected
defeat has affected its health, its friends ad
NIT whilst its enemies declare the attack fatal and
rejoice over what they hope will prove its fual
struggle. Like all sick men, II has a multitude Of
advisers, and is compelled to listen to the advo-
Gates of variety Of modes, each OF which Is held
up as the only regimen upon which it can rely
for return to the vigor Of active health. The
occasion, however, it cannot be denied, Is an APP
propriate one for wise reflections and sober, con-
siderate action. The defeat in Virginia should
Induce to the one, whilst the National Convention
OF the party, which report says meets in Phiadel-
pha this week, will give op Ortunity for the other
The rise and progress of the American party has
been 30 remarkable that all the circumstances con-
nectcd with II have already become historic and
are impressed upon the minds Of nearly every man,
woman, and child in the country. The spontanei-
ty of its origin, which gave 1t birth in almost every
section of the country, the wonderful rapidity OF
It's growth, which has clothed II even in infancy
with giant proportions and the ease with which
il conquered its opponents and acquired power,
have been the characteristics that attracted towards
it the attention of the peorle of this country, and
made il the subject of inquiry and anayzation by
scandal the people of our republic to say that
pa ty thus spontaneously springing up, and finding
10 large degree of acceptance with the popula-
tion had not in it something that deserved the
f.vor with which 1t was received. But it would
also be wrong to conclude from its success great
as that has BEEN that it is party entirely without
deficiencies and errors or that IL needs not those
teachings of experience that should be plucked
from an occasional defeat.
NJ npc ad
American party to the American people was its
nationality. 1t appealed directly to that spirit
which would make us not a people OF conglom-
erate natonalties, and speculate with the GOODNESS
of horse Jockey on the benefits Of crossing the
breed, but which would keep alive an earnest
American feeling, even at the risk OF making US
somewhat peculiar, and perhaps exclusive, In our
national characteristics 1t was also felt that there
were evils In our political system to be cured
under the treatment OF partisan demagogues, were
bringing our courts Of justice into dsrepute,
lering the title of an American citizen almost val
u less, and making the right Of suffrage mockery
OF that honest just, and eensiderate act Of free
n sopls. which it was intended W 10. The time
also was favorable TO the origin OF new party.
The old parties were weak and demoralized, hav-
rug so--ssiy an existence but In name. They had
Indeed ceaSed 10 be parties at all, so far as the
masses were interested In them, and had sunk into
mere political machines, organizations without
principles through which few leaders were en-
aoled to manage, direct, and profit by, the control
Of the political action Of the country.
TWAS with these strong claims to public favor,
and under such favorable circumstances, that the
American party sprang up. Il fitted itself well 70
tho exgencies ofits youth and though Il appeared
In somewhat Protean shape, and occasionally SC
disguised as 10 have no shape ut all, II went from
one victory TO another; the recognition Of what
was good In II securing for II the powerful aid oil
those who could not approve OF the whole of lie fea
lures or endorse all its principles. But now the
circumstances Of the party have changed, and il
must accommodate itself TO Them or consent TO see
In the Virginia defeat the precursor Of entire ami
hilation. II must In fact cease to be a nomadic
wanderer achieving victories here and there, and
then flying of before we were permitted to see
the field OF battle or view the armies with which
the triumph was secured, and established for itseli
a settled habtaton, over the fortress and defences
Of which Il may emblaIon the principles for which
Il contends and the conditions imposed by It's rule
II must give up It's secrecy, abato It's exclusive.
ness, and establish basis Of principles which may
be American without being proscriptive, and 10 the
examination OF which all may be admitted without
the intervention Of pass words grips, or osths
things 10 which the great body Of the American
people viii never submit condition 10 their par
tcipat on In the political affairs Of their country
Our chief hope In the American party has been
that IL would obtain for the country an improve
ment Of the naturalization laws, the imposition OF
additional guards, which would put an end TO that
scandalous chespening Of American citizenship
which has made IL ssleable 10 all who can claim a
fcw years residence in the country or can produce
ssuficiency of hard swesrers TO legally prove that
fact, and that Il would originate national ground
upon which 70 build up sound American senti-
nent averse 10 the continual agitation OF sectional
questions; that Il would become party American
ne regards the admission TO rights Of citizenship,
and stesdfastly Union Ia all that relates 10 the dis
enlargement Of the views Of utraists Of either
ton Of the country; and that, TO its raying cry Of
America for Americana IL would add " and the
Union for America Whether these hopes, which
we believe participated in by thousands, with
out whose sympathy the party could never have
reached its present importance, are TO be met, Is
the important question which the Philadelphia
Convention win have TO decide, and upon which
viii depend the fate of tho movement they have In
hand. Tho moment Is suspicious for success, but
II Il also surrounded by dangers. The tide Il at
It's food, and viii quickly flow In one or the other
direction. With an honest, open purpose aided
BY skilful pilotagc, the American party has the
inost favored chance for taking advantage Of that
flow. Let u renounce all coqueting with sectaries,
either In politics or religion plant itself upon the
preservation of the Union and Of the national char
scter; establish platform which will be ss broad
the constitution in its republican lberity, and
yet like that instrument, thoroughly American,
ard upon that Il can gather the practical conser-
vstve, Union-loving portion Of the people, and by
their aid rise TO the dignity and power Of nation
al party
Nor ALWAYS DKNocRAr--In political dis.
.cussion At Lumbcrton, the other day, between
Messrs. Reid and Winslow candidates for Congress
In this district the former charged the latter with
having once been Wing. Mr.. Winslow in reply
said, that the first vote he gave was for Gen
eral jackson that he was Calhoun Democrat ;
thar he followed him, and refused TO vote for Mr..
Van Buren,, although he was the candidate OF his
party. Mr.. Winslow did not say as much, but is