The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1855-03-02
THE KNOW NOTHINGS-. THEIR PROS
PECT AND THEIR POLICY.
From the n. Y. Herald

The prepOnderance OF the antl-slaverv SEN
timent in the recent election to the United
States Senate of Harlan from Iowa, Durkee
from Wisconsin, Trumbull from Illinois,
Wilson from Massachusetts, and Seward
from New York, has somewhat shaken the
confidence of the Know Nothings in their
unity of purpose, and invincibe strength. Ger
tanly, in these late Senatorial developments,
particularly in the case of Seward, this new
American party has received its lessons and
warnings. But the party, young, fresh and
vigorous, should turn its late experiences to
practical account, take courage,a land proceed TO
adapt its general discipline, platform and poll
cy more closely to the sympathes of the popu.
lar mind, and the exigencies of the day.
The field of practical reforms opened to this
new American party, by the spoils corruptions
of IN inlbecile administration, and the rum
and rowdyism which have so long dsgroced
our political elections under the demoralizing
bribes and bargains of the old effete whig
and democratic parties, is field too inviting
to be abandoned, short, at least, of one
Presidential campaign. Upon these great
elementary issues Of revolution in the
management of our elections, and thorough
going reconstruction of political parties, the
honest masses of the people, in all the State
and local elections, North and South, of the
last twelve months, have manifested their
sympatlies to be with this new American
movement. In II general view, the majority
of the people, in all quarters of the Union, are
thus evidently willing to cooperate with this
movement, in anticipation Of the great and
srutary political and party changes which it
promises.
This new American organization is, how
ever, defective in some essentials. Its disci
pline is too rigid for the moral atmosphere Of
this country. The violent oaths and penalties
attached to Il membership of the order are
calculated rather to excite detection and re-
belIion than brothcry love and harmony
Between men Of honor and truth, in the rela-
tions of social life, n simple declaration of
good faith is enough. In the secret caucuses
of the political parties, which have existed
since the revolution of l776, no other test has
been deemed necessary. The deserter from
Tammany Hall, for example, has never been
pursued with the penalties of burning in effi-
gy, and combined party persecution against
him in his private business affairs. Neither
the sacrifice of his SOU to the devil, nor the
loss of the means which support his family,
have followed as the fixed law of his treache-
ry TO the Sachems.
In this respect, the oaths, pains and penal
ties of the Know Nothings imperiousy de-
mand the pruning knife. In this enlightened
age, and among this free and enlightened
people, neither the terrors of hard swearing,
nor the spells of superstition, nor the espion-
age of the Inquisiton, can be made to work
From the Grand National
Council to the lowest subordinate lodges of
the Know Nothings, therefore, the first thing
suggested by the late defections at Albany,
and the symptoms Of disruption in Massachu-
sets, is radical modification of the secret
of the order.
1t is generally understood that the Know
have taken the field as the inveterate
enemies of the Catholic Church and religion.
And here, they may be transccnding the limits
of constitutional justice and sound policy
Under the supreme law Of the !and every
man in this country is protected iE his rei-
gious faith. The rights of the Catholic and
the Protestant are the same, and cannot be
disturbed. As far, then, as the platform Of
the Know Nothings involves political pro.
scription of the Catholic because he is
Catholic, it conflicts with the supreme law
Hostility to the politca! or worldly encroach-
ments of the Catholic hierarchy, in the man.
lgement of our elections, or in the monopoly
of their church property, is another thing
When a Catholic prelate enters the political
arena with his flock at his back, he and they
nre responsible for the consequences.
1t is important, however, that our new
American party should keep within the limits
Of the constitution, and that Declaration of !
which Protestnnts and Catho.
lies in council and in battle, united to make
good. Opposition at the ballot box to all
Efforts of the Catholic hierarchy to interfere
in our political elections, and against all efforts
to monopolize the property of the Catholic
in this country, is legitimate
md justiiaGe. The Catholic laity will assist
in this resistance. But where this political
hostility extends to the ndiscriminate pro.
scription of Catholics, ny such, it becomes
Ireachcry to the federal constitution.
II is also widely believed that it is the pur
pose of this new American party to repeal The
laws, and Tx twenty one
years residence upon the alien MS tho inlia-
live to citizenship. On this point We have
little apprehension; for although the authority
10 Congress il explicit, the States have sew
,ralv assumed the right To control this sub
ect at their discretion, and Congress cannot
prevent il.
We regard this new American movement
rs calculated to do much good, under wise
and prudent management. 1t promises to
,boIish the corruptions and the rum and row.
dyism which have broken down both the old
political parties, and the spols policy which
nus crushed this feeble Pierce administration;
i promises 10 abolish the traffic in Irish
Catholic and German votes in our local aud
general elections; it promises to clear the