Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1859-04-22
The Late Know nothing State Council.

The Late Know nothing State Council.
In rcmarking upon the proceedings
and resolutions of this body at its recent
assembling in Baltimore, the Piaatcrs'
Idoocate utters The following truthful
and wrlIconsidered sentiments,
1t viii be noticed, in the first place
that the council, for the sake of prolonr-
ing its sway in this State deliberately
invites the cooperation of "all the cle-
ments Of opposition to Democracy in
Notwithstanding them to join in the
conventions to be held and to participate
in the selection OF candidates and this,
without any qualification as to principles
or anteeedents. 1t might be remarked,
upon this, that the council appears to
have lost sight of the distinctive princi-
pies of its party, when it places its con-
vontions and its honors at the disposal of
any and everybody who may be opposed
to the Democrats. Those of the mem
borship who belong to it-not from hos
tlllty to Democracy or any other mere
prejudice but from an appreciation of
what they supposed to be its aims and
objects, may well consider whether, by
this action, the council has not broken
down the distinctive character of the
party, when it declares all men compc
tent to exercise the highest rights Of
membership who may choose to do So
Certainly the least that can be said is
that quite new test of Americanism is
now set up--and that, hereafter, all who
may happen, from what cause soever, to
have a quarrel with the Democracy, are
apso tacto constituted first rate Ameri-
cans. The only qualification now rccog-
nizcd by the council would not appear to
be whether man alirms American prin-
ciplcs, or would be willing to carry them
cut, but simply whether he be willing to
vote against the Democrats. 1t is SUI
perhuous to remark that upon such test
any a5olitionist in the country, if he
were a resident in this State, might pass
muster, and find himself installed in the
highest scat in the American synagogue
nay, would be qualified 10 look, una
i)ashed, and with undimmed eyes, upon
the radiant countonance Of the Prince of
Americans himself
Such a test is sacrifice of all prin
ciplo, as it is sacrifice of all dignity.
II such be the position Of the American
party in Maryland, it has ceased to pur.
sue that elevated course of principle
which it has always claimed to follow,
and has fallen into a grovelling position
Of mere opposition to the Democracy,
for the sake of place or power or, what
IS still worse, for the mere sake of that
hostility itself In such an attitude, it
cannot command the support of conscrva-
tive men in the counties who have here
tofore acted with it, These men have
supported it, as against the Democrats,
because they approved its principles but
they cannot be led into mere opposition
which has no object beyond that opposi-
ton itself, nor will they allow themselves
70 be hurried into unsafe alliances for the
mere sake Of beating the Democrats -
For much as they may desire that result,
they only desire it when some better
party than the Democracy is to profit by
Il; and they will not certainly be instru-
lnentalin fur.hering that result for the
sake of helping into power an Opposition
of which Republicanism viii be the rul-
ing spirit.
There is deeper significance appa-
rent in this matter when we consider
that among those who are thus iarited
nat-footod into the American party in
Maryland, are the Republicans, who are
known 10 exist to some considerable OK
tent in certain parts of the State-par-
ticularly in Baltimore city, where even
noticeable vote was thrown for Fremont.
Are the Americans of Southern Mary
hud willing to be yoked up in harness
with Francis r. Blair aud his followers
in common movement, even against the
Democrats 2