Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1857-07-22
KNOW NorHNGfsM as. IT WAS. AND AS IT

The i'Nstienal COunciln of the Know Nothing
party assembled in louisville recently It's pro-
eeedihgs We lind copied into all their party papers.
From the. Constitution of this National Council we
extract the following enumeration of powers.
SEC. S. The National Council shall be vested with
the following prfvileges :, - I'd
1t shall be the head of the organization for the
United States Of NortrAmeriea, and shall fix and
establish all signs grips passwords and such other
secret work, as may seem to,ieReeessary.
1t shall have the power to decide all matters ap-
pertaining to national politics.
I 1t shall have the power to exact from the State
councils quarterly annual statements as to the
number of members under. their jurisdictions and
10 relation to all other matters necessary for its in
formation. g. q
/ 1t shall have the power to determine upon mode
Of punishment in case of any derelietiCa of duty on
the part of its members or officers. '-'''''''-- 81
|! Ii shall hive the power to adopt c0baliSc char
acters for the purpose of writing telegraphing-
Said characters to be communicated to the presi
dents of the Stale Councils, and by them to the
presidents of the subordinate councils ...-- as
This National Council is still IN full force, VIII
any one pretend to say that the State and subordi-
nate councils Of Tennessee are not under its juris-
diction, and subject to these enumerated powers ?
That it has not still the authority to decide all mat
tiers appertainiDg to national parties : y "a
During its recent sitting at louisville they made
another declaration of principles, called platform.
No where in it can be found word upon the subject
of Distribution, but they do declare that they be.
ieFe, LIST, Sin sn humble acknowledgment of the
Supreme Being, for his protecting care &o;.2d, the
perpetuasiOn Of the Federal Union, as the palladium
of our civil and religious liberties, &C.. Sd Amer-
cans must rufe America 4h, no person should be
selected for political station who recognises aleg
anGe TO any foreign prince, Potentate or power; !"
and similar truisns5 which have groBn.intO maxims
with our people, and to which all parties subscribe
The 4th section of aaid platform reads follows:
- 'That each State council shall have authority to
amend their several Constitutions SO as to abolish
the'several degrees. and institute pledge ofhonor,
instead of other obligations for fellowship and ad-
mission into the party" 49,. p, LII ~.
Since this authority was delegated no State coun-
Gil is known to have assembled in Tennessee con
sequently we are authorised in the belief hat they
have substituted the pledge Of honor instead of
the oaths. And yet we fnd.the BaWnsr protesting
against discussion of Know Nothipgism upon the
ground that it has been abandoned in Tennessee
long ago :" 1t has been Abandoned by thousands,
who, convinced of its political ihiquities, are now
cordially co operating with the Democratic party
But thecOrporas guard that are left fighting against
u.s. have not sbandaned it, but are dying by it in the
last ditch. We admire their courage, but despise
their judgment rs lsa -.4aa .e.--" Cd.