Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1856-08-09
Who are ReanonsihIa.

question. A few plain truths lie ut the
foundation ofthis whole controversy which
are cognizant TO the whole country, and it
is only necessary 10 refer to them, TO ex-
plain the whole matter. 1t will be re-
membered, that III the taDvass of 1862, al
Ter the nomination of Gen. Scott, it was
with the greatest difficulty that the ma
tlonal organization Of the Wing party was
preserved on account Of the strong abol--
lion procivities OF the mass of the North
ern wing of that party. The Southern
Wings were evidently compelled to SUBJ
NIT for the sake of harmony and unity, to
many things that were object enable but,
when the election came on, TIE party was
so completely routed and dispirited that
all hope of future success was abandoned
by many who felt cramped by the small
amount of conservatism that existed il the
party. They, together with few stray
Cling iisaifected Democrats, formed abou,
the time of the passage oil the Nebraska.
Kansas bill, the Know Nothing party,
with all its complicated machinery for the
suppression o.! the truth of the existence
o. ihe patty and the identity OF its mem-
belship. This organization was confined
TO the Northern cities and States for
some time, where it spread with such
Iapidity that many supposed it would
sweep the whole country, like tarnado.
Having met with extraordinary success,
North, they began, in the summer and
fall Of 1854, to send their spies into the
South, under cover Of the NEST profound
seeresy, imposing solemn oath upon those
Initiated into the mysteries of the clan,
and denouncing at the same time the most
terrible punishment upon those who would
reveal them. Clty and town elections
were carried in rapid succession, and a
great mystery that enveIoped the whole
affair was, that the candidates of this
strange party were not known until the
day of election. With this prestige of
success the invisible and invincibe SAM
like conquering general bore down all
the opposition that the Democracy and the
few Wings that were left, could present.
Meanwhile, the wing papers South, IN
quick succession, fell in 10 tue support of
Know Nothingism, with few exceptions.
The elections for Congress came OIL at the
North, and resulted in the defeat of almost
every candidate fer reelection who had
voted for the Kansas N ebraska bill, by
Know Nothings. Their triumphs were
hailed with the most exuItant demonstra-
tons Of JOY By all the Know Nothing
leaders and presses of the South. They
claimed that they had carried the House
OF sentatiyes, and that but few
years remained anti they would carry the
Senate. They declared that they had en-
tirely demolished the old parties and
their corrupt leader. with their tSranleal
rule Owe. the people, and that they had
established upon theii ruins great con-
sentative party that would discard all Of
flee seekers, all party leaders. and that
they would preserve the Union and sup
press party strife. They denied the ex-
islence OF the old parties, and denominated
those in Virginia who opposed them, the
"Wlseocracy.
We warned the Southern people against
ar affiliation with this party of Strictly
Northern origin and aims, as we believed.
We pointed to the antecedents Of the men
over whose election TO Congress they were
so ju5ilant, aud showed that they had ever
been the incorporating enemies Of the
South. We argued from the defeat of the
supporters of the Kansas bill, that the suc-
cess of Northern Know Nothngism BODIED
no good to the South. Every apology
was offered By their Southern allies. They
assured US that hatsver the private opin-
ions of any one in the order might be,
there would be no public expression of
them in official stations. When the speech
rs and acts Of Senator Wilson, OF Massa-
chuset:s, were referred to, we were told
that Wilson dare not asitate the question
Of slavery in Congress. Very soon, how.
ever, Wilson went into the Senate and re.
moved ali doubt upon that subject, by de-
claring his uncompromising hostility to
slavery. In reply TO this objection, we
were told that another "degree" had been
adopted by the order for the purpose Of
keeping out the abolit,onists. When the
ritual oil the Know Nothing party, with
the thild degree, was exposed 10 the pub
lie, we showed that it required nothing
more than an adherapce to the UElon, to
which an, aboilionist could assent.
When the day for the assembling OF
their FIRST national council drew near it
was declared by their organs South that
none but those who had taken the third
degree would be admitted but when it
was convened, Senator Wil4on, Gov. Gard.
ner and others OF like kith and kin, prov
ed to BIT among the most prominent actors.
Gov. Gardner was the lion of the occasion.
1t is tue. that Wilson. Gardner and others.
with thousands of those whom they reps