The Washington herald., 1908-07-09

vision Of the public school funds between
Protestants and Catholics in the '3Us
started the first. which took the nams
OF the National Democratic Organiza-
ton" There was no national movement
until 1S45, and its first candidate for
President was Zachary Taylor. nominat-
ed by the Native American Party" in
lS4S. As Gen. Taylor was also nominated
by the WhIgs, It was not an independent
movement.
In 1888 this movement reappeared in the
form Of a secret organization. When its
adherents were asked about its plans or
principles. the unvarying answer was.
[ ! know nothing about H." Whereupon
the name 'Know-nothing" was applied
70 the party. Il 'plumped' votes for its
favorite candidates OF the old parties, and
spread CONSERVATION over the country.
II made some wonderful campaigns In
State and local elections. but was always
unsuccessful IN national affairs. In 1855
its candidate. Fillmore. was indorsed bv
the remnant Of the Wings. which prob
ably accounts for the success in Mary
land In 1850 the party took the name
or Constitutional Union and carried
I
trines, but because II was the only haven
Of refuge for the Wings Of the border
States who could stomach neither Dem
Ocrats nor Republicans.
II was the 'knOw-aOthing'' sentiment
which caused the Republicans 20 prefer
Lincoln 10 Seward In 1860 Il made an
other appearance in the West and South
about ffteen years ago under the name
Of the American Protective Assocla-
ton Since the war IL has had no ex-
preston in national politics. although IL
is still strong enough 10 affect nomina-
tons.
The effect Of the third party vote upon
Presidential contests IS sometimes telling.
In 1S44 the Abolition vote in New York.
small as # was. carried the State for
Polk by taking away support from Clay.
thus losing the Presidency for the great
pacifcator." In ISlS the Free Soil vote
In Pennsylvania had the effect of elect
ing Taylor over Cass. II the anti-Deno-
cratic vote in Pennsylvania in 1886 had
not been divided by the candidacy OF FIJI
more. there is little doubt that Fremont
would have carried the State and gained
the White House.
Since the war the notable third-parry
movements have been those Of the Popu-
lists and Prohibitionists IN 1Ss4 the Pro
hibiuonists polled 25016 votes In New
York. mostly from the Republicans.
Cleveland's plurality over Blaine was
only l.l49, so II has been asserted that
the "PrOhi' vote defeated Blaine. Four
years later a change Of G5e2 votes In
New York would have defeated Harrl-
son. The PrOhibitionists polled over 5000
votes in the State that year
The Socialist party movement has
shown steady gain. Debs' vote Jump
ing from 5000 In 1900 20 over 10000 IN
1904 This movement Is quite different
from other third-party efforts, however,
in that it aims at complete revolution Of
the whole system Of government, rather
than at A specific reform of legislation
or administration. 1t is the only party
which stands severely alone, and il IS
more European than American in or
ganization and methods.
Not since 1892 has a third party can
didate become an important feature OF
the Presidential campaign. The Inde-
pendence party may furnish plenty Of ex-
element in the race which Is Just be-
ginning. There is no doubt but that the
leaders Of both old parties are much in
terested in the movements Of Mr.. Hearst
and his followers. Upon the outcome OF
the election in November.
Copyright, 1895. BY Frederic J. Haskin)
TO-mOrrOw-The story of the Pop
uIists.