The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-05-10

plaha county are ia favor OF all the principles O.
the Independent Democracy, as embodied in
the Pittsburgh Platform, no one acquainted
with the real sentiments and wishes of the peo-
pie of this county will presume to deny. Not
only are the people Of this county (when the
question is fairly brought before them) in favor
of placing the National Government on the side
OF Freedom, but they are prepared to sustain,
and are waiting 10 demand of the next Legis.
ature, a stringent prohibitOry liquor law, a mod.
Ihcation OF the tax law, and other laws neces-
sary to protect personal liberty. Notwithstand-
ing the people entertain right views. understand
their wants, and have determined to redress
their wrongs by consigning to oblivion those
who have presumed 20 stand in the way of pvc-
ress, yet, at this time, there is great danger
that at the next campaign political parties will
be so situated that the good which might be ac-
complished must be entirely neutralized. To
warn the friends of true Repdblicanism Of the
impending danger, is the object Of this commu-
nicaton.
At the last campaign, the Independent De
mocracy joined the Republican movement in this
county and State in good faith, anticipating the
speedy promotion of their long-cherished and
well-defned principles and when, by common
consent, many from the old Wing and Demo
cratic parties severed their former political ties
and rallied to our standard, 500 of a majority
for the Republican party was proof enough that
the people endorsed our principles. We were
led to rejoice at this overwhelming dcmoustra-
ton, thinking that party based upon Truth,
Liberty, and Progress, and carried forward in
truly republican manner. must have glori-
Gus future.
About the time the Republican party made
ITS nominations with fair prospect of success,
| the Order of Know Nothings was established
This secret OrderespOused the Republican cause,
lnSinuated itself into the favor Of the people bv
promising to be always on the side Of rirbt. and
against oppression. 1t is known that this new
Order absorbed largely from the independent
Democracy and Old Line Democrats. and espe-
cially from the Wing party. ltsprung up mush-
room-hke all over our country, and at the eec-
ton threw its votes for the Republican candi-
dates. This temporary organization, ike IL me-
teor, would have passed Off, and left no trace OF
its existence. had the people been left to wake
1t from its slumbers-"b but no: when the devils
dead, he won't stay dead" Political gamblers
must have something To do. ITO depend upon
their merits as advocates of good principles
or their former consistency or usefulness i'm
" the promotion of Il" the cardinal principles of
Repubcanism,' would be fatal to their aspira.
tons. SO it becomes necessary to get up some
kind of "A raw head and bloody bones, to divert
the attention Of the people.
To this end, within the last two months. Sam"
has been imported. 1t is rumored, and there
is no doubt but it is true that "Sam." genuine,
Simon Pure "Sam, has been introduced at as
much as eight or ten places in this country.
Now, this Sam is to help those into office whose
characters and brains will not 60 very far to-
wards increasing their chances of success. Sam
Is very accommodating the first time the boys
are introduced to him, he Is good Free-Soiler;
pledges himself to oppose Slavery extension,
but takes decided stand against foreigners
and Catholics. AT the second introduction, he
forgets his Free-Soilsm, becomes Il little conser-
vatve, is as hostile as ever to Catholics and for
eigners, and wants the "boys" to vote for no
one except those who have had the second in
PRODUCTION.
At the third introduction, Sam is a good deal
bothered. lie grows very much attached to the
Union, and determines that he won't have any
thing to do with any of their perplexing ques-
tons; they may fight them out among them
selves-just let him pitch into the Catholics
and foreigners.
With this new Order Of the Sans, it is propo-
sed to control the action of the Republican par
ty, and nominate its candidates. 1t is the poll
cy of this new Order to make It's own nomina-
tons somewhat in advance of the time for the
Republican primary meetings; then, when the
Republicans hold their primary meetings the
Sans Will arrange so as to get their own meu
sent to the county convention and thus having
the control of the county convention, they will
nominate the same men the Order had previsus-
y nominated. In this manner the new Order
expects to steal the garb of RepubliCanism to
hide It's real character. And let us inquire. what
is the object of this new secret Order? What
are its professed principles? 1t is acknowl-
edged by all who lay any claim to know, that
all who become members must swear TO not
vote for n foreigner or Roman Catholics As
to the objects of the Order, there can be no
doubt. Every person, from a casual glance at
the workings Of it, must see that it is its object
to get the control Of all the offices in the giit of
the people, and appropriate them to none 6ut
members ofHe order This desire to get con.
troll of the Government, of itself, is not obiec-
tonable, provided they did not trample under
foot the most vital principles of Democracy
Our Republican cause could not have any
thing to fear from this new Order, more than
any other form of Hunkerism and despotism.
were it not that goodly number of those TO
whom we have looked to carry forward the Re
publican party have become members of tho
Order. While they are protesting to be true
Republicans, they are connected in secret with
this inquisition. The Republican party already
has the stigma of conniving at the Introduction
and existence of the Order, and of tactly en-
dorsing its policy. This proposition it becomes
every true Republican TO spurn with contempt.
1t is libel on every principle Of Republicanism.
AS well call virtue, vice; treason, fidelity; theft,
honesty; as TO call Know Nothingism, Republi-
canism. They are antagonistic, and never can
and never will harmOnze.
There is no affinity whatever between them;
they are unlike in every particular. Republi-
canism is progressive, expansive, liberal Just
regards all mankind as equal seeks the good
of all is consistent with Christianity; recogni
ses one common brotherhood; is tolerant; seeks
the light; courts investigation; seeks to elevate
and refine the poor and down-trodden, by ex
tending to them a helping hand and smiling
welcome
Know Nothingism is conservative, contract
ed, ilhberal, unjust; regards man as UNEQUAL in
point of political privileges; calls the Declare
ton of independence lie; is inconsistent with
Christianity; denies the common brotherhood
OF all mankind is Indifferent; evades the Epht.
shuns investigation; seeks to degrade the Door
foreigner and Catholic, by denying them the
privileges OF American citizens; and with I'M
blushlng effrontery, blasphemous tongue. and
poisoned heart, utters the foulest SANDER that
ever was conceived, "in the name of American
ISM" Hell might disgorge and fail to present
a greater absurdity than to call Know Nothing
ism " Republicanism."
This Know Nothing party--which plans in
secret conclave, meets in cellars, garrets, and
stables, at midnight, while honest men sleep
presumes to take the place of the Republican
party nominate its candidates, dictate it's policv
and insidiously use the popularity of the princi'
pies of Republicanism to promote Its cover.
designs.
And, fellow.laborers for the cause Of The
down-trodden slave, are you prepared, at the