The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-06-07
THE KNOW N0THINGS.

tration.
THE KNOW N0THINGS
The Know Nothing State Convention OF
Maine, held in Bangor, May 29th and 3Oth, ad.
journed without making any State nominations.
What was done is simply matter of report.
1t is said strong Anti-Slavery resolves were
passed, delegates elected to the Philadelphia
Convention, and the Republican Party of the
State was recognised, the ground being taken
that its nominations ought to be supported,
whenever practicable. How much or little truth
there is in all this, the Public cannot know, so
long as the rule of secrecy prevails.
We learn from private source that the del
egates from the Massachusetts Know Nothing
Convention are instructed to insist in the Ma
tional Council, as a sine qua non, on a change
in the existing rule of representation, so that
the States shall not be represented equally, but
in proportion to the number of electors to which
they are entitled in the Electoral College; and
it is said, that unless this amendment be agreed
TO, said delegates are required to withdraw. As
to the Slavery Question, we learn that they are
not instructed to insist upon anything more
than the right of members of the Order in the
several States to hold and express whatever
opinion they please That is a right exercised
by the Democratic Party, and which used to
be exercised by the Wing, without asking per-
mission, or making any formal demand.
A correspondent of the New York Tribune,
writing from New Orleans, says that diseord
reigns among the brethren in that quarter At
first the Order embraced Catholics as well as
Protestants, the union being necessary to Sc
cure the municipal Offices but since then con-
scientious scruples have become active and the
Protestant members, having obtained permits
sion from j. w. Barker, of New York, have or
ganzed " on the platform of the Order of the
Star-Spangled Banner" Two sets of delegates
from Louisiana will therefore claim seats in the
National Council at Philadelphia, and the
question must be decided whether Catholics
can be Know Nothings.
On the whole, the BROTHERHOOD may find it
harder to maintain union among themselves,
than the Union of the States.
GENERAL WILSON. 81 think, and others
think with me, that Henry Wilson, though
friend, has not received the treatment which
you have frequently bestowed upon foes.
A SUBSCRIBER IN BOsTON"
If General Wilson or our Subscriber in
Boston," will point out single sentence or
word, in which We have touched his motives, re-
Aected upon his integrity, or misrepresented
word or act of his, we will take it back-ius.
tice shall be done. We were not satisfied with
his letter to member of the Legislature, be-
fore his election as Senator; we objected to
his letter to the editor of the American Organ:
we have constantly regretted his abandonment
of the Free Democracy, and his utilization with
the Know Nothings and we have always sta.
ted frankly and kindly our reasons. If in any re.
spect we have misrepresented him, point it out.
We did not blame his absence in the Senate,
on the test vote in regard to the Fugitive Slave
Act-but explained it. by his authority. We
did not denOunce him for his refusal to vote to
take up the Oregon State BILL although we re-
GREETED it, but we accepted his explanation. We
promptly published his Anti-Slavery speech de.
livered in the Senate, without excepting to it.
We have since inserted communications com.
mending strongly his Anti-Slavery speeches in
Massachusetts, and republished most Aatter.
ing account of his demonstration in New York.
from the New York Euening Post, represent
ing him as incorporating in his Anti-Slaverv
position.
This is synopsis Of our course towards
Henry Wilson. Most certainly do we plead
not guilty, to the charge of our correspondent.
But, if our injustice consists in Withholding
full confidence and sympathy from General
Wilson, IN has present position, then we are
unjust; for, as we said once before, we would
not trust an angel in a false position. Friend.
ship is q truth-teller, not fatterer. We do mot
think our subscriber in Boston any the lea, a
friend, because he reproves US for what he be.
lieves fault.
"WHo IS WHOA correspondent wbo.e
account of things in Iowa is printed on our
fourth page, says:
81 should be gratifed to be informed ;f
Chase and Hale are both, or either Know
Nothings? If they are, whom have the Free
democracy to look to as a standard. bearer in
the next Presidential campaign, but Sumner?D
1t IS not our business to define the positions
OF the statesmen, prominent in our cause. Not
any of the gentlemen named has indicated bv
public demonstration his views of the New Or.
der. As general rule, Editors must be ready
at all times to declare their faith, and the rea.
sons therefor; but the same rule does not hold.
we believe, in regard to Senators and Renre.
sentatves.
Mr.. GIDDINGs, Mr.. JULIAN, and Mr.. Ap.xa
have spoken for themselves, and their uncom.
promising opposition to Know Nothineism i.
known wherever they are known. The rela.
tons of Mr.. HALE himself to the Order We ar.
entirely ignorant of. As to Mr.. CHASE and Mr..
SUMNER, we hope we shall not be considered
trespassers on the reserve they have seen proper
to maintain, if, in reply to. the foregoing direct
inquiry, we say, that they are not only not
members of the Order, but that they do not
differ from US in our views respecting it.