Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-01-19
Anti-Know Nothing Meetings. How ii turn
ed Out

At a small village in the county Of Wetzel, an
anti-Know Nothing meeting was recently convened.
The only village lawyer had just been enlightened
10y a copy Of Mr.. Wise's letter, and felt that he
owed IL TO the cause Of Democracy, and himself to
hold meeting and dcnounce the Know Nothing
order. Visions Of his own name in print in the
"Tickeytown Chronicle" foated through his vision,
and he had laid himself out for taking speech.
Mr.. B., magistrate was called to the chair,
and clerk in the only village store called to act as
secretary. The chairman said che didn't know
but he rather reckoned the meeting was called to
settle the Know Nothings. He had hearn tell Of
them fellers, but never seed any. They moughtbe
bad and they mought not" and concluded by call
ing on the village lawyer for a speech.
Mr. Chairman, said he, II rise to bring to the
notice Of this people snake in the grass. The
serpent Of the old spirit Of Federalism is revived.
He is creeping among US. Contrary to the genius
and spirit of our institutions, he is winding his
hideous folds around the resolutions of '98, and
the act for religious freedom. Sir, allow no man
to stand before me in my devotion to my country
and the resolutions Of '98. Sir, il the temple of
liberty must fall, let me be crushed beneath its
ruins Immense appause.) Give mo liberty or
give mo death! (Renewed applause.) Sir, the
name Of this miserable abolition Wing trick sir
is Know othngism. The gentlemen Of this meet
ing, presume, have read Mr.. Wise's letter-that
immortal writing which is destined to be looked up
on with awe and admiration by millions yet unborn.
Sir, and the youthful orator was just getting on
his " high horse" again, when the simple, honest-
hearted old Justice of the peace interrupted him:
Chairman-Mr. R., | havnt read Mr.,
Wises speech. Twas too long, by halt, short as
the Sundays is now. I'd like to know what them
Know Nothings believe. ! never seen one yet,
but I've hearn good deal about en-. They
lnought be bad, then they mought'nt.
Speaker.-Sir, if can give you information, i
will give me great pleasure. The easiest way | can
give YOU an idea Of the heretical doctrines Of these
their platform, which have in my pocket.
Chairman -That's right. Give us the plat
form.
The speaker then proceeded to read in loud
and clear voice the basis Of principles Of the
American party in Virginia
Chairman.--Is them the real gennywine princ-
Piles of the Know-Nothings, Mr. R-Y
belief they are.
Chairman For my qualification please read
that platform agin.
The speaker second time read it.
Chairman lin dcmi-soliloquy.) Goes in for
American principles--dont make citizenship dirt
cheap--in favor of the Bible-down on the Ro-
man Catholics--goes for edycation-down ON DEM
agogues and-so-forth, eh?
Mr.. R, thems juSt the principles I've been
IN IhyOf OF all my uie lHcui bch~St"eie pm
ciplcs We ought to maintain such principles in
our party. Does Mr.. Wise 60 agin these princi.
pies? fMr. R., "yesr) Then I'll 60 agin him.
You can jest get another chairman.
All was in an uproar. "Hooraw for the Squire"
shouted the crowd. e0rdcrl" officiously thun-
dered the faithfnl. But II was no use. The Squire
bad the biggest crowd in the meeting, and they in
sisted on his making speech. The Squire de-
clined-said that he wanted TO study the platform
a little more. The young lawyer called on Captain
c. to take the chair, but the valiant captain
backed out. The Secretary loft his desk, and the
meeting broke up "by mutual consent"
II is said that !" Sam was in the crowd that
night--that he and the Squire nudged some
thirty Of the people on the elbow, and adjourned
to a dark corner in the village school-house, and
instituted X. N. Council Grcenbrier Vd.) Era