Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-09-11

We have stated that most of those who par
ticipated in the 'knownc thing movement" Of
1854 and 1855, had no sympathy whatever with
the peculiar principles of "Natiye American.
ism" We had no connection with the move
ment, because we could not accept it even as d
skilllul vancouver for breaking up the whig party
and bringing about the organization OF a party
more sternly opposed to the slave power; butwC
can do justice to those who did accept it and
participate in it for this purpose. 1t is amusing
TO see the old oaths and ceremonial of real "Na-
tive Americanism" quoted against them now.
Every one knows that the knownothing tidal
wave" disappeared as quickly as it arose. This
would have been impossible if those connected
with the movement had been devotees Of "na.
tiVeism." The New York Tribune, which would
not be itself if it were not inscriptions, tries
now to gain some political advantage by falsify-
ing the facts; but, Mr.. Greeley in his "Recolec.
tions of Busy Life" gives a true accounto OF the
knownothing movement After describing how
rapidly it arose, he says:
"But its apparent strength was largely facti-
tious; men of diverse parties, Of radically in
compatible views and purposes, using its ma
chnery to further their several ends and dis
defeated. The fact that almost every knOwnoth-
ing was at heart Whg or q democrat, cham
plon or an opposer of slavery, and felt
stronger, deeper interest in other issues than in
those which affiliated him with the order rem
dered lis disruption question, not of years but
OF months. Ii claimed to have carried the legis-
lature Of our state, in 1854; but that legislature
reelected to the senate William H. Seward who
had no sympathy with any of its purposes"
In electing that legislature, Mr.. Greeley
worked, politically, with the 'knownothiugs. /"
1t is true that large majority of its anti
democratic members were nominally "know.
nothings;" but the fact that they elected Mr..
Seward to the United States senate, although he
openly opposed every form of "nativeism, I"
shows how little they cared for what are
called "knownothing principles" In another
account of that legislature, Mr.. Greeley SAYS
in his "Recollections:"
Though the Americans" claimed many of
the members elect, and with reason, we, who
Fad been labOring 10 secure the return of Coy
ernor Seward TO the senate, knelo that tpe had
succeeded; that many Of the votes confidently
counted on by his adyersarics were sure for
MN. There were some members who actually
voted against him, who would have voted for
MN bad their votes been needed"
We have quoted the speeches of Henry Wilson
toshow how thoroughly and openly he repudi-
ated "natigcism," while connected with the
"order." His views were sustained, because
great majority Of his associates in the move
ment agreed with him. Had they all been
genuine "natiyists," he would have been sum
narily expelled; or, rather, there would have
been no lodge" into which he could have been
admitted. Those who really meant ''nativesm"
were comparatively few in number Most of
them can be found now, we presume, in local
organizations here and there which are much
older than "knownothingism." Some of them
have since acted with the democrats. The New
York Express, then the chief organ 9f the
"knownothings," is now vehement democratic
organ In our view, Mr.. James Brooks, one Of
lis editors and proprietors, never cared straw
for Native Americanism;" but the other, Mr..
Erastus Brooks, meant "nativeism" Of the most
intense sort, and his sympathy with it could
easily be revived to great activity. Not one in
ten of the "knownothings," however, were of
his sGt. A great majority Of them held views
like those expressed, at the time, by Gen. VIII.
son.