Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1859-02-23
know Nothlngism a. it was and as it's.

Nothingism Of q few years past Then they we're /
going to save the country from foreign misrule, /
from the Irish and the Daich-noW nothing Is said |
on that subject Then they were going to purify |
the religion Of the country and save the people from
she dominion Of the POpe--nOw nothing is said on
that subject. Then they we're going TO escheW the
slid hunt after etce, leaving the Office TO seek the
man, not the man the ofbce-nolhing heard now on
shat subject In fact we may read over the proceed
ings Of all their county meetings and lock through
AL their papers, and we can End no of the die
siDotive issues which they proposed then. Why?
Is the country in any less need Of their policy
shan it was theni Are not the evils the came, the
dangers the same, and the necessities the same!
They can make no answer TO these questions. The
fact is and it is apparent to every one, Know No
fhingism was q humbug and its advocates wore
hambuggers. The thing has exploded and their de-
sire is try their fortunes under the Of
new pretsnce. The same men who opposed the
Democratic party in tho last viii oppOseitn
the next with the exception OfIhAt very respectable
number who have become convinced Of the folly Of
pursuing longer the uncertain fortunes Of JOHN
Bell s Co. Why then seek new name, except to
escape the Odium Of the old one, and entrap some
more unWary individuals in their snare!
We have been looking with no little interest for
some distinct ard definite proposition as the rally
ing point of the old party under the new name. We
And but one-"Opposiion to the Democracy" But
We respectfully insist that this is nothing new The
RsdsralistE were opposed to the Democracy. The
Tories we're opposed to the Democracy. Abolition-
ism, in all of its erent phases has stood opposed
to the Democracy. The old Wing party, and all the
parties that have risen upon its ruins have opposed
the Democracy. There is but one thing that has
she least claim to neWness in the present organ:za
sion Of our old enemy in Tennessee, and that is a
more open manifestation Of their willingness fuse
and become one common party with the Abolition
lists than they have heretofore shown. In .imes
past, while yielding to and counting the coOpera>
ton Of the ant-slsvery influence at the North under
pretexts and pretenees, they always repudiated
such associations at the South when charged upon
them by the Democracy. 1t is not SO now. The
time has come when ever GREELEY can find Southern
editors that are ready to Wbilewash him with their
excuses and palliatiOns. The time has ecme when
the Opposition in the South openly avOW, and with
cut a blush, their willingness to stand cheek by
jOWl and recognise as brethren of a common pOlti-
saA udteElAAyy m6A NAOHu fSA9 b"HAOo A@hO AOAOS~
fore been regarded by the people Of all parties as
synonymous With everything that was detestable in
shs catalogue Of political offences.
But our purpose st present is not SO much to
speak of the Opposition as it proposes TO present
itself in the national ISSUE ss in State affairs.
We have been impressed with the following para
graph from areoent article in the Memphis Bulletin,
As sfording better insight into their present views
and feelings than any thing we have seen. The
JsHIIstaa says:
The signs Of preparation In the ranks Of the OPP
position to complete the overthrow Of the degener~
sted democracy are very encouraging, and warrant
es in urging the friends Of reform everywhere to
Iake heart and 60 vigorously to work. Our friends
ia this State not without hope that they shall,
AyA cooperative union Of old line Wings and Amer
Jeans, and aided be- such prudential and conservative
democrats as have become alarmed 1T the extent OF
felies constantly committed by the representatives
Of the democratic party, be able to reform sd-
uinistrAtiOns, restore the public confidence, and
bring the interests of the people more to their
just elevation The Deposition do not intend 70 tcGr
poa aaea, only 30 far they the representatives
sf abuses and evils that need TO be corrected. ThS
all s0GF on for any harmless opinion he may
entertain Their mission, their duty is different.
Their work is harmonic not TO distract the great
interests Of the people WhOevS ariI co operate nth
lAea 10 tbs yiev io Be regarded brother Wings,
AHer5eaas Democrats al Who UiH rally to the banner
Of Reform, ssii, Wh The impending struggle Nth the
corrupt and tHeompeteHs dyases Of the day, be rel
coined into hs ranks Of he gathering armies Of The
Opposition.
better portrsiturs Of Know NOtbingism at this
time could not have been written on paper. They
are not without hope that "sided by prudential %
and conservative o. democrats" they can elevate
themselves to power. And as an inducements to
such Democrats as have been disappointed in their
own party, and who may feel inclined - embark in
this dead sea expedition, they are generously as
sursd, by one authorized to speak, that the OppO-
sition do not intend to upon men" only so far
as they continue act with the Democratic party.
s'They viii war on man for any honest and harm
less ~ opinion be may entertain" And all opin-
ions will be reckoued harmless that do not look TO
the support of the Democratic party. whoever
will cooperate with them to this view will be re-
Sarded as a brother" These are very gentle hnts
cautiously and softly given out, but easily under
stood Who will bite ct themi They are ready to
pull ct the first nibble.
If there are any Democrats whose only mo-
tive for cooperating with that party is Office, and
who have been disappointed in their expectations,
here is chance. poor chance We admit, but new
ertHeleb5 y CuauCeY buou - lOuuo Al AOetNAy
vsstments and mock auctions There are lottery
nen in the Democratic party, We doubt not, and if
the prospect looks sufficiently inviting they may 60
N, and God grant they may. We could spare them
and be gamers by Ii. But the remembrance of Know
Eothingsm is too fresh in the public mind. 1t, too
was to have been pool Of healing waters where
sill political leprOsy could be cleansed Ali the
seductive promises that are held out present.
ed in more inviting aspect then. Every office in
the gift of the people from the President down to
the constableship of civil district, was to be seen
through the magic lantern Of Know KOthingism,
and many there we're that followed it, and soon
found themselves OPP TO their shins in the mire. We
repeat again. the adventures of thst wonderful time
are too fresh in the public mind to give much en-
enlargement to the new cheat But We shall see
what We shall see.
The American party held county meeting, ct
Nashville on Saturday last 1t nominated delegates
40 the Gubernatorial Convention at Nashville the
4eth Marcel, and are the l4th TO nominate esndi-
date for Congress and for joint Bepressn The
Fon Lab. Nnfh