Washington sentinel., 1856-03-25
THE PRESENT CONDITION OF THE
KNOW-NOTHING PARTY MIR.
Pixies ADDRESS.

FIA H'S ADDNASSs
Surely no party ever had stronger motives to
dsband and dissolve than the Know nothing
party. Whilst it never had any real claim to
be considered National party, it yet at one
time had the semblance of being so. Divided
aud discordant as its members have lately
shown themselves to be in different States,
cities, and neighborhoods, they have yet evinced
greater want of harmony and agreement
in all their SO called National Conventions
Every such convention has manifested q
total want of cohesive power and consenta-
neous action. Their platforms have been the
source of constant wrangling, and unceasing
complaint. The principles that suit one Sec
ton, displease the other section. Indeed, diff
ferent States-nay, different councils in the
same State, have promulged different plat
forms. They have quarrelled 80 much over
these various platforms, that they have come to
lose all faith in those useful compacts, and
they now stand before the country without
anything deserving the name of platform, and
appeal to the masses to come up blind-folded
Anu pcil-HtH luSo tuCdI oupPOEI
1t has been but short time since their
editors and orators we're accustomed to boast
Of the vast daily accessions to their ranks.
Now, however, no one can be found who would
be bold enough to assert that any new initia-
tions have taken place. Instead Of getting
new members they are everywhere losing old
members Men leave it every hour, as rats
quit sinking ship. Suspected at the North,
it is also distrusted at the South. Scarcely .
man can be found in either section who is per-
fectly satisfied with the present condition of
the Order. So apparent is its weakness that
even the old Whig party which it drove into
obscurity, is venturing out into the light Of day,
and talking with daily increasing tone of con-
fdence about organizing anew, holding q con-
vention, and nominating candidates of its own.
One of the most striking proofs of the utter
prostration and feebleness of the Know-noth
ing party, is furnished by the late address of
Albert Pike, esq, "to the American party
South" Mr.. Pike is alike prominent in law,
politics. and literature He has been known
to the country as one of the ablest and most
jealous advocates Of the Know-nothing policy.
Mr.. Pike criticises with just severity the Know
fraud on, and trap for, the Southern members
Of the order. he repudiates it and the con-
yention which adopted it. He calls for con-
vention of the State councils Of the several
Co,tha~, Gtasn, -, oxIar -.
may be made for the whole South.
Says Mr.. Pike, in the conclusion Of his ad.
dress:
"Then let MS place candidates on that plat
form. If we think we cannot succeed with o
candidate who endorses all our views, let us
take democrat who has been tried, and
always found true to the South and the consti-
tuition, at home and in the councils of the coun-
try. Let us say TO the country, we are willing
to ,oda for the success Of our american prin-
ciples. The first thing to do is, to give our
country quiet. We will take this man, trust
ing to his antecedents. We ask of him no
other pledges. We will trust to bis American
feelings and instincts to do justice TO those
who, like him, are American born, confident
that he will not fill the Offices Of the country
with foreigners, TO the exclusion of those born
on the soil.
"Let us place this northern democrat---one
like Bayard and Du Guesclin, without fear
and without reproach--and q southern whig Of
our party at once before the country, and
rally to their Gag the conservatives Of the
Union.
eve need not fear that our american prin-
ciples will not succeed in the end. Unembar-
rassed by other questions, the American in
sfincts Of the people will in time make them
victorious everywhere.
"0r, if that does not suit our views, let us
nominate candidates Of our o,cn party, on our
oaon platform, nail our Aag to the masthead,
and take the chances Of the battle; satisfied
with defeat il it entails no dishonor and no be-
trayal Of the South.
"It iss delicate thing to do--that which
am about to do; but the South has too many
platforms, each State different one, and the
same State, in some cases, three or four in
succession.
!