Weekly hawk-eye and telegraph. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1855-1857, 1856-03-26

The sizc and composition Of the Know Moth
ne State Convention which met at lows City on
the 5sh inst, was yery good criterion of the
condition Of that party In Iowa. Out of over
two hundred councils in the State only fifteen
were represented, and of its thousands Of meHi-
bers htT, forty 1--WE were in attendance. After
they had assembled, so little interest was felt in
regard 10 their organization. We are assured by
one who vas there, that had il not been for a
few uneasy spirits from the town of Musca,ine
the Convention would have adjourned without
trying to accomplish anything,-as it was, they
did not succeed. II is true, they appointed
Presidential Electors, but they did so without
| The advice or consent of the gentlemen mention
ed, and with no assurance that they would serve
in the capacity in which they have been placed.
They ignored their former platform, thus yirtl-
ally dishanding their organization: very family
endorsed the Philadelphia platform, to show
that they still chung to their former preiudices;
| and adopted the Temperance plank as the best
means ofidentifying themselves with the Repub-
lican party. Honest and true men united with
the Know Nothing party in its incipiency, in the
hope that it would be the means of Kidding the
country OF political RomaBism, foreign domina-
ton and professional office-seekers. But no
sooner had it begun to acquire strength than the
latter by their peculiar art in winning favor,
sway them by their influence. Honest men saw
that one great object OF the association was dis
regarded, but still clung to it in the hope that
good might yet be accomplished. Gradually one
barrier after another, constituting its opposition
to political Romarlism, was removed until the
National Convention at Philadelphia threw down
every impeachment and admitted to its delibera-
tons Roman Catholic delegates. Then it was,
that observing the object for which the order
was constituted had been forsaken and that its
tendency was now to strengthen the very power
they had hopedto destroy, good men of every
grade left the organization to a few spoilsnen,
destitute Of all principle but love of Office.
1t is these men who have seen the folly of
trying to effect any object by secret associations,
and who are disguised with the action of the or
der with which they were connected, who are
now so unanimously uniting with the. Republican
party and claiming it as an organization which
upon the one great, paramount principle reflects
most truly their sentiments. They come to us rs
men tried by fiery ordeal one which fits them
to do battle for the great cause in which they
have enlisted. They unite with the Republican
party on the broad ground of antagonism to
slavery extension over free territory and that
they do not larry to inquire if this or that man
agree with them in minor matters. They care
not for political Romanism; they will not turn a
hand to conciliate. foreignism freedom is the day
star of their hope and all lesser objects are buried
with the past. 1t is to such men and their kin
dred associates, that the nation must look in
the hour ofneed, and demagogues and stpen-
diaries in these times of trial will tremble before
such an organization of tried men with freedom
inscribed on their banners.-Dayenport Ga
Zctte.