The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1855-04-20
dependence.
4 I'D Iii ERIGiN PARTY.

1 II Ii 4 III EK KItlN / 4 ID | /.
The time is rapidly approaching when the
potency of the despotic discipline practispd by
the Know Nothing or American party must
pass an ordeal Of no common severity. Thus
far bet few obstacles, and those Of a compare
lively trivial character, have interpoSed to test
the wisdom of a secret, oath-honnd political or
ganization, and those who confidently assume
that the experiment has been successfully made,
and that harmonious and brilliant future is IN
store for the American party, as at present con-
stituted, know little Of human nature, and less
of that instructive political freedom that is so
eninentlv characteristic of the American peo-
pie In this instance, the brief past that has
record of the Know-Nothing organization, IS no
safe criterion by which 10 Judge of the future
The institution is vet an experiment, 1t IS YET
a stranger 10 the many embarrassing circum-
stances which aim with crushing power at the
supremacy Of all discipline, and which no hu-
man tactics ever vet successfully drfed. It's
path has thus far been one Of singular ease and
maddpning success. Holding at MS will the
balance ofpower between the old political or
CARNATIONS, it has had hut to decide where It's
strength should BE- manifested, and an easy VIC
tory was achieved But such cannot long be
its position. Ii must now assume standing as
one of the independent organizations ofthe day,
and RELY npon the merits OF IFS measures to suS-
tain it, The newborn zeal that now pervadeS
its ranks is but the thing of day, and unless
based upon enduring and detenslble principles,
must soon scken its victim and recoil with ter
rible effect alike upon the men and measures
which called it into existence.
The American party has never vet been the
party of power. 1t has heralded It's victories by
the score and claimed triumph upon triumph,
but ii has vet to assert its supremacy, and more
than all. has yet to display lis skill in maintain
ing it. For its success in controlling and di-
recting its actions, it relies mainly upon the rX-
traordinary party obligations IFS members as
surne. and many Of its recognized leaders vaInly
think lnsubordination and disafIectIon impossible,
under anv circumstances, because to rrluSe Im-
Dlicit Obedience to the mandates OF the organiZa-
ton, is to invite disgrace Here is the rock on
which the new party must evidently break, un-
less wise counSeis interpose speedily TO arrest
impending disaster. 1t is not TO be concealed
that even now, with the party still in its inlan-
cv and but an auxiliary to the victories it so us-
tilv boasts, the sentiment is widening and deep
pning throughout lis members that lis platform
nust he shorn Of IFS intoleIant features that its
system Of government must be- liberalizrd so as
10 ignore It's extra a-judicial oathS and ridiculous
ppnaltirs, and that il must in all essential fea-
inyss ts nonolariqed to confirm 10 the jmpera-
t,. d.,,a,,. of lie s,,t;,,aot or Il ,,,,,zt run
. br;sr c,reer and he sven, from existence bv
the returning wave of popular opinion. We do
not indulge in vain specuIatious based upon
common ,nn,or or IMAGINATION. It IS a notori-
ions trntb that an earnest strnagle IL now nro-
gressing in the order. the aim Of which is 10 ef-
fsct an ,r..,, or,r.r;,3t;,, an ;b,raI American
rlatc,r,o .nd ~ bel,r. IN. World in defence of
!. IT, ,.;se rsfor,n has enlisted IN lie intrres
,fa c-r.,, ,,,as, or d:s;n,orested Americans who
Ioo,. h..,o,I r,r,o,oI ,,r,f,r,st &, ,b. General
,ysJrsrs Will i i s,srnly resisted bv everv
.,,oro,.,,, .bo hc,ee ~ rain mower in defiance
of the nop,lar will and bv every new-Gedosd
l..4sr 1rbo C.ars the loss If his nrsspmed ;rnor-
tanca Tins far the latter class has nreva;led
o,d = ie uoll npdaraood that a. tb,. late Know
Notb;,,,, Stoto Coovent;o, At lancaster il f,r-