Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1855-05-24
INDIANAPOLIS:
Know Nothingism Dissected by
Master -Anatomist.

Know Nothingism Dissected by a
Master Anatomist.
We have Just finished the great Grafton of
Mr.. HUNTER, which in the pressure Of edi-
torial duties we have not before been able 10
read. A finer specimen Of oratory cannot be
found in the English language. Thursday
next will decide whether Mr.. HUNTER has
wasted his sweetness on the desert air, OF
whether the great truths which he has en-
bodied in thoughts that breathe and words
that burn are to pass from the realm of con-
temptation into that of action, and become the
living, working realities of political life.
Some of our friends tell us that Mr.. WISE
will be defeated and that his defeat will re-
suit in the triumph of the Democratic party
at the next Presidential election. 1t may be
so. we are not political prophets. MAcDoNALD's
Division was sacrificed at Wagram, and the
field was Napoleon's Such may be the fate
of the Democracy of Virginia If their over
throw should break up the coalition between
the Abolitionists and Know Nothings of the
North, its ultimate tendency may be good
But we are slow Of faith tits impossible,
-. our humble opinion, for the national De-
seFscy % gain thing BY an ,seosssfon Of
Abolition votes Any considerable accession
of such votes would demoralize the party /;
AbolitiOnists would hold the balance of pow
er; ard the world might one day be astound-
ed 10 find that Legislature of Indiana call
iao Itself Democratic, had sent second SAL
MON P. CHASE. TO the United States Senate.
The State of Indiana is at heart thorough
" Democratic: as much so as any State in the
Union the majority of her people rePudiate
an the isms of the day and stand by the
creed of JEFFERSON. Let Democratic states
men throw themselves, in firm reliance, on
The sober second thought of the people, aud
resolve that the true course, the only course,
Tor the Democratic party IS TO FIGHT 1T ouT
against Abolition aud Know NOthingism com
bined
Nr. HUNTEE's arguments must necessarily
loose by being seen in fragments only, and
we recommend all to read the whole speech.
We give such extracts as our space per-
mits:
Know NoTHINGIsM NOT ONLY AN IRE
sPoxsTBLE AND THEREFORE DEsPOTIc GOVERN
NENT. BUT IN FACT THE GOVERNMENT OF A
MINORITY.
To satisfy ourselves of the truth of these
conclusions, let MS suppose, for an instant
that the American Congress deliberated ano
acted in secrecy. How long would Its repre-
sentative character endure, and for how Ions
afterwards could it probably be reckone(
amongst the free governments OF the earth
All individual responsibility would be gone
No man could tell how any member voted
Accordingly as the act was popular or unpop
uiar in his district, he would be entitled t
the presumption of having voted for, o
against IL. The reason upon which meas
ure passed could never be given; the propo
sitions made aud rejected, would be unknown
and thus power far more irresponsible thai
anv ever exercised by either Cazar or Gar
would be welded by this many-headed mon
ster.
But the old fathers Of our State left us still
more conclusive evidence of their estimate o
the importance of publicity in political pro
eeedings They were not content with ex
acting il from the representative, but enforced
! the principle ON the constituent body also
required each elector to vote, not by thu
al letter of the secret ballot, but with tn
c:ree and manly utteiance of the ''living voice.
And thus il is, by wise and ancient prescrip
I Sos~.k~.-.Ae- Nirgin:an has ever given hi
= vote Ia the light Of day, and before the world
Preserving the 'os sublime" and presenting ;
brow as open to the inspection of his neigh
Dor, as his heart is clear to the search OF Hin
VINO made it. he stands at the polls, proudly
conscious that he is there as the master, no
the man, and willing himself to meet all hi
fair responsibilities to public opinion; for tina
act of power, he justly expects return of tn
same generous confidence from his fellow cit
liens.
But. gentlemen, have shown you tn
probable effect of this secresy upon the repre-
sentative Should we mend matters mucl
by transferring It to the constituent body, o
rather, TO the portion which seeks TO rule 1t
Popular government to be good, must be tn
result of public opinion, formed with all tn
aids of free interchange of thought and sen
timent, but this interchange becomes impossl
bic, when a portion of the people seclud
themselves from their fellows, and concea
from them their thoughts anil purposes.
mand the assent of a majority, or, as som
have thought, Of even more than majority
but here is a scheme of a secret political Oh
ganization, by which minority may rule
majority, without the least responsibility
public opinion. In the first place, their yer
mystery gives them power, and conveys a
exaggerated idea of strength to the publ
mind; for it is the way of the world, to tax
'Omni ignotuna pro naagmfco." Next, thei
organization and discipline may make mi
nority an over match for the undiscipline
majority who act from individual impulse
Lastly, their rules of proceeding seem de
signed TO secure this predominance of tn
minority. Whatever may have been the in
dividual differences of opinion within tn
lodge, outside of it they act as one man; $
far as the order itself is concerned, there ar
before the public eye neither maiorities no
minorities The minority must give up thei
opinion; and thus the Order acts by the for,
Of It's whole numbers. A measure may hav
been adopted within the Order by sma
majority, but before the public il carries wit
i the weight Of the whole mass. The Orde
itself, as compared with the great body of tn
people, may be in the minority, but by il
superior organization it may divide and rul
them; and thus a measure may be passed
although large majority Of the people al
really opposed to it, if its enemies within an
without the Order are estimated together.
is no matter then where you establish tn
secrecy with regard to political action the e.
feet is the same you destroy the just infr
ences Of public opinion, nay, you make tn
existence of public opinion impossible, an
thus popular government itself, becomes in
practicable.
These are our sentiments. We always di
despise concealment of any kind; but sine
the existence Of Know Nothingism, we De
pise it more that ever.
Prescription OF CATHOLICS, ANTI-R
PUBLICAN AND ANTI-PRoTEsTANT CATH
Lie CHARITY REPAID By PROTESTANT lNTO
FRANCE.
They propose % destroy the liberty