The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1855-05-18
FOR THE INDEPENDENT PRESS.
Know Nothinpism.


FOR THE INDEPENDENT PRESS.
Know Nothingism.
Sins: know the tone and sentiment of
your paper to be against most of the priuci-
pies of that party, and to demand your COL
umns for the publication Of opinions in op-
position to that tone and sentiment, would
seem, at first glance, both arbitrary and un-
reasonable; yet as a matter of pasttime,
without wishing to compromise your posi-
ton or opinions, offer you few random
reflections, simply for what they are worth
1 am not one of the party, and hence
perhaps am at liberty to discuss the thing
as it may seem commensurate with NV un-
derstanding of it. To say that it does not
merit even the most assiduous consideration
of every true citizen of this country, whose
mind is imbucd with the faintcst glow of
patriotism, is, think, unjust, since the vast
number of its councils, and the almost un-
preccdented increase in the list of its men,
bership, and that, too, in SO short time
throughout all the States of this Union.
must repeat that it cannot be charged with
the merit of insignificance ; but, on the 9th
er hand, it has amongst its member great
number of the best men of all the old DO
l'tlcal parties Of the country, to say nothing
OF those outside of the party who warmly
advocate its principles. Suffice il to say,
then, that we are not prcsumptuous in Civ
ing to the subject our greatest consideration.
Well, then, what can be the great aim of the
party! What its ultimate desidcrata? Is
it the overthrow of Popcry and foreign in
fucnce i'll the United States? To Inc, at
first glance, such aim seems tantamount
if not superior to all others in the nantes
tations of this party, and With that aim cv-
cry true American ought the most fully and
implicitly to agree.
| am resolutely enthusiastic to applaud
that laudablc spirit of conservatism that re-
coils at, or that would approach with cx-
tremc caution, the sanction of so serious an
innovation upon the old established polite
al customs and usages of the country. For
not having pecped behind the scene, nor
witnessed their proceedings ssuJ rosu," We
are not positively certain that there may
not lurk there things repugnant to our re-
publican sentiments and fancies, and hence,
l say, it should be with some considerable
degree of caution, that We approach uni
form concurrence in all the principles and
doings of that party. Its secret policy is
radical objection, indeed the only great hob
goblin and bugbear Of the thing, whose in
fluence of example, from the consideration
Of its vast and rapid success, may actuate
the sudden uprising Of other sects, cliqucs
and juntas, who may spring upon the coun-
try designs inimical and even subversive of
the government But their answer to this
objection seems to be, that, as they are bat
ting for the demolition Of certain great in.
fiuences antagonistic of our institutions and
irnmunities, to torewarn would be to fore.
ARMAND that it requires majorities to car
ry any measure Of legislation before the
country; and hence any sect or secret party
with designs inimical to the government
will have that difficulty; for tits not rea-
sonable to suppose that enough men can be
found, now, in the country, who would,join
and remain in a party having designs against
the government. repeat that there are
not enough men to constitute a. majority,
to'bo found il the country now, il who would
remain il any secret party protesting such
evil Intentions IN secret conelaye. And I
presume there Is no honest minded man now
in tie party Of Know Nothings, who has. tlle,
least tove Of coantfy burning in his bosom,
who would not wage "a war Of eexterminac
ohIagainat them, il he saw il, their secret ore
daBsaiops ahy attempt or Or even s,, nth the leas.
l.ss ls.esstnhlance Of attempt: 70 fasten anything
like syff designs upon ths country. Z, il thcre||
beahy Influence u the Tinted III d States ) u eapa.
BE BE of any such seyiiII- iiI-zase diabolieals