Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1855-03-08
Hard on Theml

The Richmond Enquirer, the leader Of
the democracy Of Virginia, and the supper
ter of Wise for Governor of that State,
walks into the Know Nothing party with
the following strides
"But Know Nothingsm is not
great idea. 1t is poor, paltry, puny
counterfeit of an idea, which any weak and
depraved intellect might originate. 1t is
the offspring of ignorance and Of vulgar pre-
judice, brooding in secret over imaginary
wrongs and chimerical schemes of social re-
generation. Jealousy oftoreign labor was
the original impulse, and is now the sus-
tanning principle of Known othingism.-
The cry Of .4merica for the .4mericanS,
which is shouted with such frenzy in the
streets Of Boston and New York, is nothing
more than demand Of monopoly, and of ex-
emption from the wholesome competition
which preserves the equilibrium Of trade.
The same popular prejudice that drove the
ignorant operatives of Lyons and Lancashire
to oppose the introduction Of labor. saving
machinery, now clamors for the exclusion Of
the poor emlgrant who comes hitler for
work and bread. Yield to the pressure.
submit to the demand; and what next? A
clamor against the competition of slave la
Dor, and demand for the present exclusion
OF the slave from all handicrait employments,
certain result of an ultimate agitation for
the abolition Of slavery. Know Nothingism
began with cry for the abolition of pallper
labor, and it will end in a cry for the abo-
, lition of slave labor Is not the logical Sc
quence Of the idea, the successive steps in
the development of the plot perfectly obyi-
Gus to every intelligent mind? Looking 10
its origin, and considering the nature and
tendency of the principle which sustains it,
does any man doubt that Know Nohingism
will initiate and organize an anti-savery
movement in the bosom of the South ITSELF
Barred and bolted against the hazard of de-
lection and exposure by the most awful
oaths and impressive sanctions of secrecy.
Know -Nothngism will prepare the mind
and lay the train in the silence of midnight
and the first intelligence of the plot will be
heard in the crash Of the explosion.
To the people ofthe South we say, beuzre
ofthis thing! Heed not its siren song Of
patriotism and petty American nationality
is not plant that flowers only in darkness.
The cold breathJof night will blight it, but
the genial warmth of day will expand and
ripen it to the richest fruit. The Repubh-
can liberty of America is rot yet driv-
en- TO caves and dens, and dark hiding
places. 1t is triumphant and invincible, and
asks only freedom Of speech to rally the ma
tions to its standard. Shall the light that
was kindled by the eloquenee of Henry be
extingu shed in the darkness of Know Moth
ingism! The Protestant faith fighting with
weapons Of reason, has Iriumphed over prin-
clpalities and powers, and has planted here
in America an impregnable fortress, not Of
defence only, but Of aggressive warfare a
gainst error and superstition. Shall Pro.
testantism, now in the day and on the the
atre of its grandest triumph, revive
the cruel spirit and barbarous practice
OF its ancient enemy, and strive 10 consum-
mate its ultimate glory by means which il
scorned in the unequal struggles of its in
FAINT existence? Is this the day this the coun-
try for prosecuting Professionalism? Maybe,
if its animating spirit was revenge instead
Of charity, the recollectons of the past might
supply Professionalism with sufficient motive
for cruel retaliation but assuredly he is no
true disciple Of the Faith, no sincere cham
pion OF the Cause, who would seek TO avengc
its wrongs by the weapons of civil power.
acknowledgment, then, does not pro-
'pitiate but disgusts and repes popular sym
pathy by its base and hypocritical appeals to
the pious prejudices Of religion and country.
Its subtle hostility to the institutions of the
South is relieved by no compromising advan-
tage to the cause which it pretends to serve;
but the essential ignominy Of its nature is
intensified by the guilt of imposturc, A
gain we say to the people OF the South,
BEWARE OF THE THING.