Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1857-07-12


KNOW NoTHrNGIsM, AS IT WAS AND AS IT Is.
The opposition, after having committed them
selves to the policy of governing the country by
means Of secret political organizations, held to-
gether by oaths and obligations, administered by
National, State, and subordinate councils, now
endeayoring to avoid the responsibility and create
the impression that they stand upon the same basis
Of other parties. Was such the fact it would be but
a small pallistion Of their offence when it Is re-
ynembered that their exposure was not voluntary,
and that they have only ceased to practice and carry
out their original plan after the public sense re-
monstrated against it and overwhelmed them with
shame. Their present acknowledgment is but an
argument against them, fixing beyond question the
teruitude of their offence If they have ceased to
practice the hummery Of the blue book, it is only
because they can find no who will repeat its CO.
remouy with them. If they have ceased to enslave
the public with their oaths, it is only because the
public sense revolts at their enormity.
But have those who have taken their obligations
and who still adhering to the Order, ceased to
be bound and influenced by the requirements Has
mnistered in their Council rooms, renowned their
their fcalty to these things! If SO, where is the
acknowledgment, and who the political priest that
absolved themf And what can be the confidence
of the public in the efficacy of such dissolution?
According to our reading of the third degree obi
gation-and we presume no one will cOntrovert it
it says: 'You also promise and swear that this and
all other obligations which you have previously taken
in this Order, shall EVER be kept sacred and invi-
oate." What those obligations embrace, it is need
less now TO recapitulate The public understand
and have placed upon them their whitening eOndem-
nation What opinion can we have in the sincerity
of apublic man who, having taken them. desires to
avoid their responsibility without openly repudia-
ting them?
But have they been abandoned? Is Know Moth
ingism mere party, acting upon the basis of other
parties? Have they given up the obnoxious ma
chinery by which it was organized and held to-
gether a secret and dangerous power in the land
Let them answer for themselves.
Their papers in this and other States have recent
ly published what purported to be the proceedings
of their ''National Council" This Council, clothed
with great authority, was held at Louisville but
contest going From their new platform adopted,
and as published in the organ at Louisville, we ex-
tract the following:
18th. That each State Council shall have autho-
rity to amend their several constitutions so as to
abolish the several degrees, and institute pledge
of honor instead Of other obligations for fellowship
and admission into the party.
''That each State Council shall have authority,
IL. L. II
buttons so as to abolish the several degrees" &C.
Without this delegated authority no such power
is recognised in the State Councils No State
Council has assembled in Tennessee since the meet
ing of this National Council hence it follows that
even the privilege conceded has never been acted
upon by Know Nothingism in this State, and that
they still working under the oaths and OBJ
legations that have always bound them; and that if
they are not now running the country initiating
men into their lodges it is only because material
cannot be found sufficiently pable to be so imposed
upon.
If the position we have assumed is incorrect, in
any particular, we invite correction. But the
reader may mark it in his note book, no such cor
rection will be made. The facts are too evident to
admit of controversy. Know Nothingism of to-day
is the same Know Nothingism that it was two years
ago, and only the worse by the wear. The effort
that is being made, is to inaugurate this dan
gerOus element into pOwer-tO bring the people and
the State under its ban-and to administer the af-
fairs of the Commonwealth upon the principles and
policy which the past history of the Order has de-
fined
1t becomes of essential Importance, therefore,
That the people should be vigilent and watchful-
Let them require of its candidates to produce upon
the stump their blue books, and expound and defend
f they CAM the principles which it inculcates and
seals with an oath upon its members. If they feel
the obligation still resting upon them not to reveal
these things, let their silence be interpreted by
the public, and let The public treat them accordingly