Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1856-06-21
The Know Nothing Party as Represented
Dy tne Record OF John Daniel Imboden,
the x. N. Elcctor for this District.

~ .Go ANoCUIo Oh JCnn Daniel 1mb0Qeu,
the 4. N. Elcctor for this District.
We promised, several weeks since, 10
pay our sincere respects tothe Know Moth.
ing Elec,or for this District, and to place
his record IN regard to the position he and
his party are made to assume, before our
readers. We proceed 10 redeem that prom.
'se. The OBJECT Of this exposition is 10
show the people that there is no fixed
principle belonging to the Know Nothing
party-that Mr.. Fillmore is not supported
apon high national ground--but that the
record clearly demonstrates those no adj
vocate his election scarcely know them.
selves for what they are contending. 1t
is blind party feeling and prejudice which
leads them Oh animated solely by hatred
to Democracy, and which suffers them 10
DC carried into almost any extreme OF Iii.
consistency to crafty their party dislike.
During the session of the last LegisIa-
ture, and while the contest for Speaker of
the House Of Representatives was still al.
tracing the attention of the country, the
Know Nothing members OF the General
Assembly, met.in caucus, and after passing
high compliments TO the f.iends Of Mr..
Fuller in Congress, adopted a series of
resolutions, Of which the following is one:
"..csolved. That any repadiation. nodi6cs.
I ZION, or suppression Of the 12lh section of the
National tJune) Platform implied by the cleo.
ton Of any officer o. unsonnd and doubtful
opinions, would be Il violation of party faith.
and gross fraud upon those Southern men who
have united iih the American party upon the
guarantees embodied in the section referred
! to-
John Daniel Imbodsn, the Know Moth
ing Elecfor for this District, was one Of
the gentlemen who composed the COM
mittee that reported this resolution; and
was the messenger appointed by the eau.
Gus TO convey copy Of tie resolutions to
each national American member OF Con-
gress. Hence, 1t is apparent, Mr.. lmbo.
den identified himself with the 18th Sec
ton in all its length and breadth, and un-
equiv 9cally endorsed the Nebraska Bill,
and "all existing legislation on the subject
OF slavery" as provided IN the 18th Sec
ton. To justify this construction of Mr..
lmboden's position, we will quote from
the 18th section, which was drawn up by
last and open friend Of the Nebraska ad.
justmen: for the .olr purpose Of placing
the party ina national position. and COM
hitting j. to the strict State Equality doc
t'ine. That section says: "As there can
be no dishonor in submitting to the laws.
the National Council (assemblrd in Phila.
delphia, June, 1861 has deemed it the
best guarantee OF common jusiice and Of
future peace, 10 ABIDE BY AND MAINTAIN
THE EXISTING LAWS UPON THE SUBJECT OF
SLAVERY, as a final and conclusive settle.
ment Ct that subject. in spirit and sub
stance"
This ties Mr. Imboden down 10 the
Nebraska Bill, and in connection with the
Richmond caucus resolutions, pledges Inn
10 the support Of no man who does no.
stand fair aud square on the Nebraska ques.
ton; because the caucus resolution quoted
above declares that the "election OF any
officer referring 10 the eontes. for Speak.
or, &c., who does not endorse this 18Th
section" aud consequently the Nebraska
Bill, would be riola'ion of party faith,
and gross fraud upon those Southern
men who have united with the American
party upon the guar an;ees embodied in
the section referred to-" Here a de.
parture from the line Of policy laid down
by Mr.. lmboden, aud those with whom
he acted, as test Of party faith" is de.
ncunced as gross fraud" and censurable
indde!i.y.
This b'inss Mr.. Imboien up TO Febru.
airy. 1856, when the National Council, aLd
The National Know Nothing nominating
Convention met in Philadelphia. Our
readers doubtless remember the rmb,ttered
and boisterous proceedings Of those bodies.
They have not forgotten, that French s
Evaus,of Washington city the defeated can.
didate Of the Black Republican party Tor
Sergeaut.at Arms Of the House of Repre-
sentatives. drew up and had offered IN the
National Coun,il. a series Of resolutions
ignoring the famous 18th section to which
Mr.. Imboden and the Virginia Know
Nothlngs were SO uncompromsingly COM
mitted. The action Of the Southern X.
Nmhings, the instant the June platform
had been repudlated, aud the now existing
platform substituted, IL condensed in the
following protest in their behalf and sign
ed BY Albert Pike of Arkansas, and Chas.
Matthews OF California:
PROTEST
Al meeting OF tho Southern members OF the
National Council OF the Native American Union.
aud OF others intending to adhere 10 the twelfth
article Of the platform Of the American party
held Oh The evening Of the 2o,h Of February.
1856, il was with great unanimity resolved,
(and the result hailed with nine cheers,) thai,
In case the National CouRcil should strike out,
or materially modify the l2th article, the South
ern delegates would al once retire 10 body
from the hall. aud proceeding TO the Ninth
AZ all ha, A. 4