Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1857-04-17
POLICY OF THE KNOW NOTHIEGs-DEFEAT OF
GEN. ZOLLICOFFER

glance at the circumstances under which this was
accomplished, and the impeIing cause. Gen. ZoL.
Lie FER has been regarded as the leader Of his
party in Congress The zeal and ability which he
manifested upon eli occasions, when the interests
of that party were at stake, won for him this hon
orable title I'm the course of events fsnaticisDn
succeeded in prod ucing general sectional excite
ment, upon the question of aboliticnlsm. The
right OF the South to any portion of the immense
Territories Of the Union was vehemently denied;
the power Of the federal Congress to decide the
domestic institutions Of new States, without re-
gard to the wishes Of the citizens persstently in
sisted upon, and an unconstitutional enactment of
a preceding Congress, cited as an authority and
precedent for this intOerant exercise Of power
The National element of the country was every
where aroused to the Importance, of at once and
forever, establishing and re-sfirming the prin-
ope of equality, as declared by the spirit and let.
ter OF the Constitution, and by the genius of our
free institutions. The Kansas Nebraska bin WAS
brought forward, embOdyiDg declaration, declsr-
ing the tight Of the citizens of the respective Ter.
ritories to decide for themselves the domestic in
situations they might prefer, when applying for
admission into the Uni0n as sovereign States.
This declaration of an equality of rights for the
South, was met by the most relentless opposition
on the part Of The abolition or republican party OF
the North, snd strange as it may appear, tlev
were aided and encouraged in this fsnstica cru
Eade sgginst the South, by the countensnce and
support Of few leading politicians in the South.
The democracy Of the South, true to the great
priHcE e Of equality, unitedIy sustained the meas
ure.
The opposition party in the South divided, al
though q large majority Ofthem sustained by their
votes this important measure. Of these, JOIN
BELL, in conjunction with the Northern aboli-
tiorists, led of in opposition, while General
ZoLuOOFTER, on the other hand, gave to the
measure his unqualified assent and spprobs-
tion. For mont theresiter, the plsudits Of
his p5rry al home and throughout the South, was
the grateful response to the firm and u1compro-
missing attitude be had msiItslUed and defended
with so much ability. He became st once the re-
coguized leader and head OF new Americauism,
ard his course was pointed to, IS q triumphant re-
Ulagiol Of the charge sometimes made, that know
Dothiugism was but sn off-shoOt of sbclhoLism,
IL al atmosphere lot adapted to the propagation
Of the native plant The course of JOHN BELL
vas regarded with cold disspprcbllion, and bis
political days were confidently counted by his Owl
party, 10 terminate with the ezpI alton Of b s pre-
sent term Of Senatorial service. In one thing
they were correct: there as 81 antagon.sm be-
tween the two, upon this great question, which
pointed uLmislaksbiy 10 the of one or the
other Tie result however has disappointed the
expectations Of sn 1t is ZoLuooFTER who has
fallen, before the battle axe OF his more willy ad.
versary.
This result lie pregnant with information, as to
the future policy OF know nOthingism. Defeated
by the overwhelming judgment Of the people in
the late Presidential struggle, the restless leaders
OF that party are preparing TO ANAL Gmste them
eelves with the great element of opposition to the
den UcrstIc pBryy in the north. To propitiate this
movement and TO coucihste the secuoDslism Of the
north, they strike Gown their tsvorte Of yesterday
for cong that which, but lew short months ago,
received their hearty COMMUNICATION and endorse.
ment, and elevate 10 the dignity of leadership the
nan whose acts they so recently Tepudisted and
concerned. Gen. ZoLLIOOTFER has been sacrif-
ced as peace Offering to black repubhCsnism, and
this Iumulauou nay be regarded as a foreIunner
Of a cordial union with ali OF every grade OF opin-
ion, uorlh ard south, who desire the overthrow of
the great national democratic party. That this
policy has been adopted by the know nothing
Leaders, have OtLer proofs, within the limits OF
our State. The IKE Of tie e1ecuuoner was already
eleysted TO take CT be head of CHARLES READY,
whose CheuCe was II same as that committed by
Gen. ZOLUClFTER, but mOIe wise than the latter,
he refused 70 be uied by the tribunal packed for
couvcucn, and has mace bis appeal directly to the
people. On the other hand the notorious ETHE-
RIDGE the p,tted iayorite OF abolitionsm, and the
ymoictye opponent of the Ksnsas-Nebrsska bill, |
lie suffered 10 run again for Congress, without |
ltIou, sud without pubic dissent from sim
gle leader ct the party.
The star OF BILL and THERIDGR is once more in |
the s5ceDoant-the clouCs by which their political
has been Obscurtd have clesred away, |
IND without rival those men, the representatives |
d northern seuumeuJs upon southern soil, stand |
orth the lescers of their party. ZoLLIOoTTER, for
bic fidelity to & e south, has been sacrificed TO pol
Cy lie las been superseded because his act
affirming the Iqushiy OF the south under the con.
5ttuuou, CONSUMED SD obstacle to tie f.yor OF
5lr,k repubHcsulsD. But the worst feature of al
e, ,ha. hose who Low thrust him aside for this
buo1igus act, urged him to its performance, and
we're louosst il bis praise when the deed was first
SO fsr Is Tennessee is concerned there is now no
bgtscle 10 The harmonious cooperation Of the
,lsck Tepubhcuuism OF the north with the know
OlhIngism OF the south. The isCts to which we
ave ouected attention prove that the scheme to
strike dow the supporters Of the Kansas BILL and
o elevate these v DO had united with sboLtionlsm
q opposition, has been planned and executed with
determination auo precision which precludeE
be fUITCEtiou that It was the result Of accident
Bow this " ID accord with the feelings Of tie more
conservative and national portion OF that party,
ime Will dev eICpe. 1t will only serve, however,
o unite still more firmly he great national party
shich in November, 1885, triumphed over all op-
,Osition, and which Will oppose vita renewed zeal
be unnatural alliance and e~ubnsuOD, which is
Ius Swallowed forth, IS tie future policy Of our ace
ersaries on that Memorable occasion,