The true Democrat., 1856-01-08
For the True Democrat Letter from Batesville.

"the snake is scotched not killed" and the lat ter may have day-dreams of big offices and the spells, but reasonable men I think will agree with me in saying that if not entirely dead it is in its last agony. Thinking, thus, can I believe, speak of Know Nottingham without passion and with but little prejudice. look upon the rise and course of the Know Nothing party as a kind of political phenomenon It could have been no matter of wonder that a few men should have embraced, even in our en- frightened country, doctrines so at war with the theory of our government, with the truths of history, and above all, with moral principle. and integrity; but that great part of our national population should have adopted those doctrines is indeed matter of wonder. The history of this party may be dwelt on as remark able. Its origin believe is unknown. Many have claim ed the notorious and infamous Ned Buntline for its father. Whether Ned can actually add this laurel to his others l cannot say. Ger tanly there is something in it like Ned. For instance, the old password as heard every where some months ago, "have you seen Sam?" Also the rules which required men under oath to abstain from telling, under any situation, that there was such an order and that they belong ed to such an order. We doubt whether there has ever been Know Nothing who joined be- fore the Philadelphia convention who did not lie directly or indirectly about his membership. There was something that smaked of Ned's genius, too, in meeting at midnight. ..as if the members felt that they were banned and out lawed from the society of those honest men who not afraid of the light because their deeds are not of darkness. Ned's prolific genius of mischief may also be seen in the requistion of the members (who are supposed to be hono- rable men) 10 come armed to the teeth when certain notices were given. Also in the law
 imposed that every member must assist another
 in any difficulty, honorable or dishonorable, upon the sounding of a certain watchwords s- IL IS said by a certain writer that the Jesuits went beyond all other societies in binding, each unto al in this, that other societies swore their members to be true to their cause even to death, but that the Jesuits swore their followers to be true even to sn-to mortal sin. Truly the Know Nothngs could net be complained of in this manner Riots and bloodshed was i'm plledly in their creed Or why go armed?- Had we invaders in our land? No, none but citizens-none but those our law had cordially invited.
 The course of the party has been marked by dshonor. Riots have followed riots under their auspices-murders have followed murders, con- fagrations have followed conhagrations. To the sound of the trump of the Angel Gabriel, blasphemousy so-called the Know Nothings gathered in order to e-enact, as far as in them lay, the dreadful scenes of the Reign of Terror.
 Verify when the future historian of our coun- try comes to these scenes he will blush while he writes For example, how can he write that in the metropolis of our country man by the name of Bill Pool, who had lived the life of vagabond and of an outlaw, a man who acter was known to every rybody, was killed by a man of much the same character in drunken quarrel, in a low ale house, and that thousands uponst thousands with banners and costly devices followed him to his grave-that more attended his funeral, than ever did that of the wisest, the most virtuous man that ever died in New York. How shall that historian record that in the United States in the thirteenth century, attempt to kindle in the bosom of our country the unquenchable fire of religious fanaticism?
 The men who raised or attempted to raise this religious crusade must have been Casuists indeed. If stranger had passed through our land he might have thought that it was very religious country, since the gambler, the pro- fane swearer, the broken down demagogue, and the shpwrecked politician all felt such a vital interest in the purity of religion. But ah! 1t was not so. It was the same old tale " they had stolen the livery of heaven to serve the devil in." The party embraced men of motley colors, of all parties, of all hues. The political trickster came first He had read enough history to know that he was perillng his country's happiness, but no matter-he cared only for himself-he professed great love for his country, when in truth he only loved his country's spells. Then there was the fanatic the narrow mirded man wbo had read Fox's book of Martyrs, and who thought that every Catholic would roast every Protestant if he could, and that all Protestants had been to all Catholics brothers, in all christian charity. He could tell you and prove it by his favorite au- thOr that the Catholics of three hundred years ago, had done some wrong things: and he would conclude with an unassailable ergo that Catho- lies should not be allowed to vote or hold office now. Then there were the honest men de- ceived and found in bad company. Then came the toad eaters. Then the tag rag and bob-tai and what not.
 The party will have its posthumous effect, and that will be a e-action among the honest of all parties in favor of the old democratic party which has been and will be the safe- guard of the country. No other secret party can hope to attain ary ascendency in the coun- try The history of the Know Nothing party which grew like Jonah's gourd and died like IL, VIII uC o Idii Co OH 1ltuc. 1NO uldu will ever try to haul religion into politics again. The trickster for office will be again for the twentieth time shir wrecked. Riots will be less frequent. II another Bill Pool should die he will not be more be wept than an honest man. 1.-the Angel Gabriel raises row he will be sent to the work house. If men persist in holding armed cabals at midnight for no good, the law will be enforced against them. Men will be more careful what sort of oaths they take.- And many other good things will result. As tor the bad consequences of taking extra judi clal oaths and of multitudes denying them selves to be what they are, and of engendering riots and of insulting personal enmity into party politics, shall not say word. I hope they may be small but fear not CIVIS