Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1855-01-26
Know Nothings, and Know Nothing

We claim to be the first editor in
Indiana that spoke decisively against
the political influence of the Roman
Church. Early in December 1853 we
published series of editorials on Pol
tics and Popery, in which we ayowed
our hostility to the course pursued by
politicians, in counting Catholic votes.
We then predicted that continuation
Of that course would arouse an Amer
can Protestant feeling. and probably
result in the formation of an Ameri-
can Protestant party. We then said
that we would regret such result
Much sooner than we anticipated, the
Protestants of the United States have
acknowledged the danger. and they
have spoken on the subject as they
have seldom spoken on any subject.
The late elections were influenced by
this question in great degree, and it
is now manifest that the American
mind is fully aroused; and, if proper
" directed, it will result in such meas
ures as will prevent the evils anticipa-
ted, while it will teach demagogues
that there are others than foreign born,
and foreign ruled Catholics, whose
views are to be consulted and whose
influence is to be courted-
At this we rejoice. But there is a
feature Of the subject with which we
are not pleased. We are not in favor
of the formation of a National Party
based on this one idea. True, we ar
IDENTIFY desire this idea to pervsde the
nation. But it is no more necessary
that party should be organized on
this basis, than that one should be or
ganized on the temperance question:
1t is one of the questions, which, when
properly presented, strikes nine tenths
of the Protestants of the land favora-
bly,. Let it however become the ba-
sis of a party organization, and we
drive from candid consideration of
its claims all who wear theparty yoke.
Moreover, we can not see why party
organized on this basis may not be as
corrupt and Objectionable as on any
basis. 1t will fall, like all other par
ties, into the hands Of officers hunters
and demogogues, and be used merely
for the purpose of procuring Office
And men who, .on other subjects are
rational, and who will think for them
selves will suffer themselves to be
driven by their task masters into the
most inconceiveable follies. In short
we are opposed to all parties. We be-
heve it to be the duty of every good
citizen to examine, independently, all
questions as they come up, and not
allowa set ofirresponsible demagogue:
to dictate what shall be their faith
during given canvas.
Aside from the folly of organizing
party on single idea, and especially
on one so manifestly just and right al
this-one that commands the assent
of every considerable man, we objec
to the attempt to form permanen
secret political society. We hesitat,
not to say that at the time, and for tn,
purposes that the X Ms were first or
ganized their secrecy was not only un
Objectionable, but well adapted to tn
purposes of the organization. The,
had to contend with Jesuitism and 9th
er influences that could best be met il
that way. But in our opinion tina
time is past. Instead of meeting nov
in wigwams, let the friends Of Ameri
can Protestant interests-the friend
of the Bible and free Schools. meet il
every school house and discuss tn
question openly. Let them challeng
the panderers to party, to defend tn
course Of their leaders in succumbin
to the arrogant demands of foreigl
papists, and foreigners generally
For. though the chief objection is I
Romanism, it can not be denied ths
all foreigners who claims special ia
vors and speciel privileges as such, al
equally reprehensible. And when
demagogue of any party pleads fc
the foreign vote, because Of his gres
love to foreigners, let him be marke
as q man who will sell the liberties {
his country for the sake Of office.
We are no mans mouth-piece. W
utter the sentiments of no party, an
we ask no man or set Of men to
governed by our views. Yet we b.
lieve we utter the sentiments Of min,
tenths Of those who opposei Cathol
and foreign influence in this count
when we say that the time has con
for an open avowal of the course
be pursued in future. Let the me
who drank whisky and beer with 70
eigners last year. be marked. L
those who drove them in herds-fr
to the Clerks Office for naturalization