Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-01-17
~, mn all f,;;sad, the Eds ofthe Spectator.

To my OLD friends the Eds. Of the Spectator.
NV mind has Of late been much troubled abou
these ..Know- .Noihing's." 1t is party that has
sprung into existence so suddenly, its origin is 81
mysterious, its proceedings are conducted with 81
much secrecy, IFS success in many States has
been 80 miraculous; and then in addition TO these
considerations it is so difficult to obtain any au
thentic or reliable information about its principles
organization or numbers, that ! am in grea
qnandary, 10 know whether it would be safe io
me To join it, am afraid to do SO. and yet ] an
about as much afraid not 10, lest | should wake
mp sumo morning, from pleasant dreams of Guber.
material or representative honorrs, and find that
all the old Dominion had gone, over 10 the Know
Nohings and left me mere political wreck on
that shore to which "shps are drifting with the
dead" ~
therefore in this strait appeal to you. who az
Editors are in the way Of obtaining information
on all subjects of public interest or Concern, for
cnlg htenment on This knotty point. What am
chiefly anxious To learn is the numbers and strength
of the Know NotlIings deem these Of much
more importance than their principles, for you
know il party is small in numbers and weak IN
influence it matters not a button what it thinks,
for it can d" no budy any guod-being able TO ex-
erci.e but little weight in an election.
Now if You can give me pretty satisfactory
reasons for believing that the Know Noihings
have strength enough to carry both the State and
this rood old federal county next spring. ] shall
be- into them at once-if | can find them. II
they are strong enough in this state to defeat the
..unlerr6ed," at once adopt, heartily. cordial
". and sincerely their principles. whether they
affirm or deny the nfalibility Of his Holiness, Ri
MS TX. or whichever side of the doctrine OF the
immaculate conception" they may take, 1t be-
inc my luck always to jump iaonly@ judgement
with the present way of the times whatever II
is" You know have always belonged to that
honest and honorable school Of politI ans who
trim their sails 10 catch the popular breeze, let
il blow frum what quarter it may. ] was born
with strong love Of majorities and sit has grow
with nv growth and strengthened with my
s,renuth'' until the present hour. In fact this
trai, has characterized my family from its earliest
history, as any one having relish for such re
search IS will find by examining that famous book
of heradry entitled 1.-The Pilgrim" and written by
one John Bunyan. (And by the way he will
find in it some account Of The progentors of good
many modern families besides mine, but who are
not so readily acknowledged by their descen-
danis) The public may rest assured that u any
of nv family have ever been found on the wrong
or minority side (Which is the same thlng) IN pal
itics it has not been by design, hut for the same
reason DR.. johnson. the great Dictionary MAKER
gave defining" pastern" to mean the knee OF Inc
horse" viz: ''pure Ignorance" Ihey did nj
know it was the weak side. The only thing
then, I repeat that makes Inc hesitate about cast
ing in my lot with this "secret organization" Is
the fear that in taking this leap in the dark
might be uniting my political destiny win an IN
significant and contemplate minority lnsead OF
powerful and triumphant majority. NO" oshow
The Importance of the information seek, ! would
state that know goodiy number of prominent
men besides myself, who stand 'shIvering on 'ne
brink" afraid to launch into the stream OF Know
No,hngsm because they are ignorant OF lis depth
and strength. and know not but instead OF being
burne iriumphanlIy into the pleasant and safe la
ven of an honorable Office with comfortable sal
arv they may be left laundering In the mud and
miro of mean and dirty minority. There is my
friend, the honorable, patriotic, straightforward
and sincere Lord Fairspeech who would unite his
fortunes with them at once. "sink or SWIM" II
he was sure of getting office thereby. Not that
he Loves office for its honors. influence or emol-
uneuts, but simply and solely because he could
render more valuable and important services to
his country in office than as private citizen.
And there is also my other friend q am on veiy
friendly terms with many eminent mem MIR
Turn about who is neryuusly anxious On this sub
ject and would make any sacrifice, even TO the
Reputation of his entire and long cherished Pc
ltical creed. to be certain that by uniting with
this "mysterious order" he would be an the
strong side-he having all his life been afflicted
with holy honor of minorlies.
might name many more distinguished men
in the same deplurable "fix" but these will SUIT
flee ga word to the wise is sufficient" Irus-
tiny that you will be able 10 give satisfactory
answers to my enquiries, await with trembling
anxiety yuur next issue. Your troubled friend.
IOE RYENDS