Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1922-05-16
Know-Nothingism In Oregon


That entertaining narrative of the "Rise and Early
History of Political Parties in Oregon" by Walter Care
ton Woodward contains interesting account of the
and fall Of the american" "Know-Nohing" party in
Oregon the predecessor of the Ku Kux Kan of today
which resembed in many ways AS history repeats itself
in these periodic Of racial religious fanaticism
the story is interesting indicating the fate in store
the Klan.
The native American or "Know-Nothing" party re-
ceived it's name because it's members discaimed any
knowledge concerning it, just the Ku Klux today
It first appeared in the east in 1852 and spread very rapid
y throughout the country ut the precursor of such
sudden violent storm in Oregon politics has not been
before since" says Mr.. Woodward "It broke with
the violence of hurricane spent its fury and died away
almost quickly it had come'-in which also it re-
sembles the Ku Klux Klan or modern Know Nothings
The "Know-N Nothing" party took the form of secret
oathbound organization and avowed hostility to the poll
ca influence of foreigners and Catholics in the govern
ment 1t demanded the selection of but native
Protesants for office There peculiar conditions
in Oregon sufficient to explain the urore raised by the in
PRODUCTION of the ssue-any than there today
reason for Ku Kuxsm except that it furnishes organ
izers easy way Of making money by captalzing in
tolerance
When the influence of the "Know-Nothngs" began to
sweep the state like wldre Asahe Bush then publisher
of the Salem Statesman vigorously attacked the society
On November 1854 he published far reaching exposure
In Bushs words: "A friend who says that through idle
curlousity he induced to become member of the
Supreme Order of the Star Spanged or Know
Nohings has placed in hands full and complete
posure of the whole organization embracing their form of
initiation oaths obligations signs grips tokens pass
words the particulars of what has ranspred at of
their meeting at this place and list of members here
Mr.. Bush characterized the Know-Nothings, as he
would doubtless the Ku Klux if alive 'he most rdicu
ous piece of bgoty intolerance and stupidity grown per-
sons engaged in He pleased to find that
most of the members Whigs-"naural now-nothngs
who should have been admitted without initiation" He
regrets to find the of few Democrats who are
plainly told that their political days numbered
Despite threats and ntimidatons Bush continued his
exposures week after week. until the whole history and
secret operations of the order exposed Publicity
robbed of that element Of mystery that had its
principal asset and his prediction here not man of
prominence influence belonging to the damning con-
spracy in Oregon whose connection will be known in
less than six months they doomed men, verified
The Know Nothngs' of 1854 not as absurd as
the KnowNothngs of 1922 the Ku Kux because they did
not fealty to emperor and become citizens of
any "invisibe empire Nor did they indulge in night
ing or masked mob Violence protesting loyalty only
republic Had the Portland newspapers today handled
the ku KluXers as fearessy and courageousy Bush
handled the KnowNothngs 68 years ago. their awless
organization would have foothold in the
state and have attained prominence whereby threat
en- dominance of state affairs by elecng governor and
legislature pledged to their bidding We would not now
be cursed by revival of hareds religious bgoty and
group antagonsms that threaten future welfare.