Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1856-05-31
OUR PROSPECTS.


This was easily accomplished as to the
Wing party, which had become SO tho
roughly abolitionized in the free States
that it maintained but doubtful exist
ence. Know-noth;ngism soon succeeded
in the North by furnishing to tho free
soil sentiment secret plan of operations
which gave to abolitionism a complete
ascendeney.. Betwixt the combination
of Abolitionism and Know nothingism
the Wing party disappeared, and Whig-
gerry ceased to have any organized ex-
istence in the free States. This combi
nation was strengthened by disaffected
Democrats, who found in the secrecy of
the new order convenient mode of de-
serting their old party associations. The
result was that Know -nothingism and
disaffccted Democrats enabled abolition
lists to absorb the great mass of the
Northern Wings, and so far to weaken
the Democratic party as to secure the
ascendency in the free States. The
Democratic organization was the only
antagonist to this new combination. AL
though its strength was diminished to
such an extent by assertions, that it was
reduced to minority, vet its organiza-
ton was maintained, and still exists with
sufficient numbers in every free State to
insure its triumph. Know-nothingism,
therefore, was successful in its FIRST lead
ing object, so far as the Wing party of
the North was concerned-it broke up
and scattered the Wings, but the fruits
of all Injured to the benefit of the Adolf
tionists. To succeed, it was forced to
ally itselfto party stronger than itself
and when victory was achieved, it was
thereal victory of the stronger wing of
the combination, as was clearly shown by
the fact that the abolitionists obtained the
spoils. Abolitionism readily availed it.
self of Know nothingism to absorb Wing
gerry and disafected Democracy but
when it came to the enjoyment of the
substantial fruits of the enterprise
Know -nothingism was left with the
empty bag. 1t was allowed to claim the
honors of victory, but abolitionism took
the lions share of the spoils The whole
story of Know-nothingism in the free
States is, therefore, told in few words
1t devised most ingenius plan of secret
operations to rope into its midnight
councils such Democrats as could be Sc.
duced from their allegiance by the by
pocritical elamor raised against Catholics
and foreigners-it completed the dcstruc.
ton of the Wing party, by making COM
mon cause with the Abolitionists agains
the Democrats and when the elections
in the free States were over it found it.
self the victim of the great Northern Bo;
Constructor, completely swallowed up by
Abolitionism, and along with Whigger,
and the seduced Democracy, mere food
on which fanaticism had grown fat anC
strong.
A more preposterous idea never wa
originated than that of Matchmaking sucl
an organization as the Know -nothings
1t never had strength to stand alone, anc
owes all its Importance to its association
with Abolitionism. 1t has been, all til,
time, its dupe and its tool, and the mo
ment it undertook to assume the sem
blance nationality, and to set up for it
self, Abolitionism spewed it up and cas-
it off. It's very name has become a wore
of reproach, and its crimes against law
order, and morality, will be pointed t
as warnings against similar movement
in future. Its chief offence was in lend
ing to Abolition the benefit of its secret
organization, for the purpose of com
handing the political power of the free
States, and forcing upon the country I
purely sectional issue. Under the pre-
text of warning against Catholics anc
foreigners, Know-nothingism has beer
thu chief instrument in the hands 0
Abolitionism in bringing about an issu
which involves the fate of the Union
For this objectionable offence it cal
never atone, and it is now forced eithe
to be identified with Abolitionism, or I,
exist only as memorial OF the wicked
ness or the folly of those who have per
sisted in trying to sustain it,
Know-nothingism has entirely miscal
culated as to its own strength. 1t claimed
amuch larger share in the victories il
the free States than it was entitled to
1t failed to remember that its rea
strength in the North was based upoi
the anti-slavery feeling there, and no
upon tho sentiments which constitute it
peculiar creed. The whitening AMI over.
whelming rebukcs so recently and eff
fectually administered to these enemie
of civil and religious liberty, seems h
have touched a chord whose thrilling vi