The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-08-16
Know Nothineism Defunct- Reconst ructi
OF Parties for 1850

Oh fartleo h0r IS0O.
Our readers will find very interesting and
suggestive article in these columns from the Rich
mond Wing, on the collapse and dissolution of
the l&Nlystericus, boisterous and universal, but
moot ia. Ent and useless American party. Our
Richmond contemporary confesees that Know
Nothingism has been used up, and is defunct, and
that the only chance Of success against the cum
ming and scheming democracy in 1860 is the
fusion Of all the opposition clements, North and
South, into q new and homogeneous national
organization. Our Richmond philosopher also
expresses the opinion that such party viii be
the only party In the field for the next Presidency
against Che re-organized battalions Of the admin
istration democracy upon the platform of the
public plumber.
Now here arc several points worthy moments
serious consideration We entirely agree with
the Richmond Wing that Know Nothingim is
dead and done for. Its death-blow was admins
tered last November, and all ie signs of life since
that day bave been nothing more than the par
oxysms Of painful dissolution. But from this
sions widely different from those of our vir-
ginia "old line whig' editor. We do not believe
that the slavery agitation viii be silcnced with
the admission Of Kansas into the Union, whether
o. free State or az q slavc State. We do not
believe that the opposition elements Of all rec.
tons ard parties will be or can be moulded into
general party combination against the demo-
cratic party and its principles, represented by
Mr.. BuchaDans administration.
In 1910 we had splendid complication OF
the policy and popularity Of general union of
the opposition masses against the party in power
an opposition combination resting IL causc
against the meacures Of an extravagant reckless
and corrupt administration. TIE financial rcvul
sion Of 1887, ard its terrible consequences, had
produced an effect upon the popular mind which
would be satsfed with nothing less than
sweeping revolution Gen. Harrison's election,
therefore, was victory, clearly aud sharply de-
fined, and overwhelming in its results against
Van Burens administration. But every Prcsi.
DENTAL election since that day, except that Of
1852, was more or less the result Of accident or
side issucs. Thus fifteen thousand opposition votes
In the State Ct New York in 1914. cast
for Birney instead Of Clay, made james
X. Polk President, by a plurality in the State
vote Of some five thousand. Thus 10y the Van
Buren, split in ls4s New York and the Presidency
were lost TO Gen. Casa The election Of 1852 was
the result Of grand movement OF the conserva
tive masses Of the country against the agitation
Of the slavery question, and in favor of peace
upon the basis of the compromise measures Of
1850. This was popular revolution against the
slavery agitators. But what next?
Through the bad faith, the trcachery, the weak
ness and wickednes of poor Pierce, the tremcn-
dous popular vote which called him to power was
speedily FILTERED away and by the year 1856 the
democratic party stood before the country with a
popular majority against it Of upwards of three
hundred thousand votes In view OF this state of
things, the New YoRK HERALD urged again and
again the fusion of all the opposition elements
in the Union into a compact party against the
corruptio1s and excuses of q weak and wicked
administration, according to the brilliant example
Of 1910. But DO; our KDor Notbiog friends were
too large TOR their breechcs and they elected Mr..
Bucbonan 10y proceeding similar TO that of
Birnoy in leii, or Of Martin Van Buren, Ia 1913.
IL IS, thereiofc, sJmewbat remarkable that
leading organ Of the very faction which caused
the three hundred thousand opposition majority
In 1856 20 be thrown away in tide movement.
should be the very frst to propos, the uuion of
the opposition elements for 1850. Still. we
should have no objection TO this, but for the fact
that The golden opportunity has passed by. The