Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1857-08-28
xNow-NoTHrNGIsx-

There never was greater blunder than
the organization Of the Know Nothing par'
ty. It's original conception did not, howev-
err contemplate more than local remedy for
the evils growing out Of foreign influences
in the city of New York. II worked so
charmingly there that II spread rapidly, and
soon aspired TO become national But no po-
litical party organised rs IL was, could BIO
permanent II contained the elements Of its
own destruction, in the inducements II offer
ed 10 corruption.
But whoever supposes that the foundation
Of Know.Nothingism persisted with the
frail fabric thus injudiciously erected, Is
mistaken. The evils Of foreignism had long
been felt and acknowledged by honest men
Of all parties Such IN element rs II was
and 10, can but be disturbing and alarming
The foreign population, from It's clannish-
ness, encouraged as II was and 10, TO retain
its foreign character by the demagogues
who court them as foreigners, Is capable sof
producing endless mischief Itcan prevent,
at any time, an expression Of popular opin-
ion, on any subject by being welded, as in
the late election in this State, against the
real and known sentiments Of foreigners
themselves When moving rs body, not
In regard 10 the merits Of the questions at
ISSUE but ut the will Of the demagogues
whom they serve, they are more apt 10 thwart
their own wills than to subserve them.
We admit thata general conviction Of cor
ruption in the Democratic party pervadins
the rank and file Of that party as well rs the
opposition, contributed somewhatto the rap
id growth Of tho Know Nothing party In
1854. But the real cause Of that mighty
upheaval was the conviction that there was
evil in connection with foreignism thatneed
ed cure. The failure 10 effect thatcure was
the result Of unwise organization, and IN
attempt TO make Il subserve other purposes.
The evil exists yet, and the fires yet burn
within, which, under wiser management, will
cause another quaking Of parties ere long.
The American People win not be ruled by
aliens or foreigners. They arc willing 10
admit men Of foreign birth to terms oil
equality with themselves, but only by their
becoming Americana They must not only
renounce their allegiance TO other countries,
but swear allegiance to this, and then they
must be willing to coalesce with Americans,
instead Of seeking to preserve their former
nationalities. This equality does not imply
that every political scheme must DO made
to please foreigners. Politicians shall
learn that there are Americans to consult,
both native and naturalized. Hence we
say that the men are deceived who think
Americanism is dead. IL has only been
wounded by falling into the hands Of false
friends II is rapidly recovering and nei-
Their the absorbing question Of slavery nor
anything else can prevent the freemen Of
this land from soon asserting their opinions
on this subject, and the politicians who pro-
fess such horror Of Know-Nothingsm, af
ter failing 10 make II stepping stone TO
power, are simply making fools Of them
selves. The people arc right and they will
make the politicians right americans wiil
govern America