The Placer herald., 1855-12-15
The Know-Nothing Party.

The Know-Nothing Party.
Sprinkled over the broad and barren wastes
Of the East, there bask in the suns hot rays
occasional patches of verdure, where the
Arab, forgetful Of burning sands and chilling
dews, turns loose his jaded beast and rears
his frail shelter amid the freshness Of bub-
bling springs, and smiling flowers. So, for
the hard pressed Thugs who essay to traverse
the wide plain of national politics, is left
here and there a breathing spot where free
for time from the sc0rching effect of al
most universal defeat, they may pause and
cast passionate glances over the field upon
which their numbers have fallen.
The illusion has vanished, the prestige
broken. The most ANXIOUS wct-nurse can
hardly believe that the bantling phenomenon
will enter the lists for the national combat
The wise and tolerant doctrines which are
taught by the Constitution convince even
the most obstinate, that no successful crusade
can be made in this country, based upon the
old monarchical doctrine Of political exclu-
sion for opinions sake. The pool of Thug
gerry in this State is soon to be disturbed for
the last time, and the last official crumb of
comfort distributed. AS it has done in other
atitudes the sandy foundation will then slip
FROM beneath them, the arithmetic of politics
will be seized by other hands, and while this
old problem will remain upon the board for
two years, a mere mass of figures, other equa-
tons will be ciphered out and the sum reck-
oned and proved, forming the rule by which
national politics are to be squared and regu-
lated With the secrecy of Know Nothing
ism, the power of its organization vanished,
its tlimsy subteties became known, its peti-
Jogging character was discovered, its evil
tendencies despised The people were then
enabled to Judge of the character, the pur-
poses, and the merits of the order. and with
the exception of four States, the opinion of
the people has been both verdict and epitaph.
Nevertheless, the Know Nothing move
ment will not be without its good effects. 1t
has caused men to reflect, who never be-
slowed thought upon governmental mat
ters. 1t has brought new men into the field,
and among these are some who, now ava
kened, will inquire and study, reflect and
Judge and shape their after course like true
genuine men, free from prejudice and fanati-
csm, true lovers to the Union, which they
have learned to understand and appreciate
just as it comes in peril. Their manly com
mon sense, coupled with their late experience,
will lead them to prefer the dignity of ma
tional justice, avoiding always hereafter, re-
vengefu political intrigues, and secret mid
night cabals. 1t has given healthy agita-
ton to the popular mind in all parts of the
Union. 1t has brought us back to the dis
cussion of first principles-to a comprehen
sive survey of the whole field Of domestic
policy, and given settled convictions and
fresh assurances that the Republic cannot be
destroyed by plots within, or influences
brought to bear from without. 1t has shown
that the holy, patriotic doctrines of the IA
theirs of our country yet find response in the
hearts, and give impulse to the acts and feel
ings Of every true American. 1t has proved
that the majority of the citizens of this Re
public cannot be entrapped by the mere
sounding Of patriotic words;-if a party
pretends to be American it must be so, Who'll
ly and essentially or its failure is certain. 1t
has established the fact that our nation is
composed of men, and not rabble whose
fury can at any moment be awakened against
all who cannot pronounce its Shibboleth. 1t
has exemplifed the fact that the majority of
the citizens of our Republic are unwilling to
abandon their personal independence and
come to the polls mere machines to car
ry out by their suffrage, the elections and
purposes which others have determined upon
without even asking their approval. 1t has
taught the lesson, by its failure, that midnight
cabals, organized on the principles of the
blood-stained clubs of Revolutionary France,
cannot induce free men to take up again
those principles which actuated the hostile
force whose steps were only checked at the
very doors of the Hall of independence.
The evil has passed. the play is ended, an
other order of things has commenced, and
out of the political chaos order must come.
There must be two parties, and the od-fash-
ioned Democracy is as ever in the field.
Another is forming, and men will join it, or
the Democracy, according to their under
standing of the rights and duties Of individ-
uals, and of the States of the Union.
We believe in the doctrine laid down by
distinguished New York politician, that in
this country there can be but two great par