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Story
September 22, 1855
Nashville Union And American
Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee
What is this article about?
A Tennessee newspaper editorial criticizes the Know-Nothing party's secrecy despite claims of openness, reveals a circular calling a secret State Council meeting in Nashville on October 8, 1855, and urges Democrats to organize vigilantly against them following a recent election.
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THE KNOW-NOTHING GOVERNMENT
The following circular has been sent to all the know-nothing councils in the State; and in compliance with the directions therein contained, meeting of the State Council will be held in this city the second week in October.
The know-nothings profess that all the secrecy is abolished. Why, then, is not notice of this meeting given in the newspapers? Why this secrecy?
The fact is, and our democratic friends must remember it, that the know-nothing concern is this day just as much a secret, oath-bound association of individuals as it ever was. Some of them say, but we have no proof that it is so, that the "social" part of the oath is struck out; and the permission has no doubt been given members to admit their membership. But in no other respect has there been any material change.
These know-nothings who will come up here on the second Monday in October, will draw mileage and per diem pay, as regularly as will the members of the State Legislature. They will legislate for the members of the order in this State, and the members are sworn to obey such legislation. What a thought this for intelligent freemen! What a comfortable thought it is, for the still free and sovereign people of Tennessee, that the late election demonstrated the fact that the wretched combination of know-nothings, who have given up their rights and their consciences to the keeping of a "State Council," is powerless for harm in Tennessee.
But our democratic friends must remember that the thing is powerless for harm only when watched. We have evidence that the plotters against the rights of conscience are quite as actively at work since the election as they were before it. We must have a perfect organization in every county. "The price of liberty is eternal vigilance;" and this is especially true when our enemy works in secret and swears his tools to perform his bidding.
We must watch and we must work. We must have a democratic association in every county, and a vigilance committee in every civil district. The tricks of the secret plotters must be exposed. In the ensuing March election, we must have anti-know nothing candidates for every office in every county. In short, when know-nothingism proclaims that "he that is not for them is against them," the opponents of know-nothingism must protect themselves, by counter, but open and public organizations.
The circular referred to follows
OFFICE OF CORRESPONDING SECRETARY,
NASHVILLE, Sept. 8th, 1855.
Dear Sir: - A concurrent resolution of the requisite number of Councils has been forwarded to us directing a call for an Extra Session of the State Council.
In compliance therewith, we have appointed MONDAY, 8TH OF OCTOBER NEXT, as the day on which the Council shall convene in the City of Nashville. It will be your duty forthwith to elect THREE DELEGATES, the number to which you are entitled, and to take steps to ensure your representation either through them or suitable alternates or proxies.
The meeting is an exceedingly important one, and we trust you will use due diligence and activity in securing a punctual attendance on the part of your delegation.
Very Respectfully, &c., &c.,
WM. B. CAMPBELL,
President of the State Council of Tennessee.
JOHN S. DASHIELL,
Corresponding Secretary.
The following circular has been sent to all the know-nothing councils in the State; and in compliance with the directions therein contained, meeting of the State Council will be held in this city the second week in October.
The know-nothings profess that all the secrecy is abolished. Why, then, is not notice of this meeting given in the newspapers? Why this secrecy?
The fact is, and our democratic friends must remember it, that the know-nothing concern is this day just as much a secret, oath-bound association of individuals as it ever was. Some of them say, but we have no proof that it is so, that the "social" part of the oath is struck out; and the permission has no doubt been given members to admit their membership. But in no other respect has there been any material change.
These know-nothings who will come up here on the second Monday in October, will draw mileage and per diem pay, as regularly as will the members of the State Legislature. They will legislate for the members of the order in this State, and the members are sworn to obey such legislation. What a thought this for intelligent freemen! What a comfortable thought it is, for the still free and sovereign people of Tennessee, that the late election demonstrated the fact that the wretched combination of know-nothings, who have given up their rights and their consciences to the keeping of a "State Council," is powerless for harm in Tennessee.
But our democratic friends must remember that the thing is powerless for harm only when watched. We have evidence that the plotters against the rights of conscience are quite as actively at work since the election as they were before it. We must have a perfect organization in every county. "The price of liberty is eternal vigilance;" and this is especially true when our enemy works in secret and swears his tools to perform his bidding.
We must watch and we must work. We must have a democratic association in every county, and a vigilance committee in every civil district. The tricks of the secret plotters must be exposed. In the ensuing March election, we must have anti-know nothing candidates for every office in every county. In short, when know-nothingism proclaims that "he that is not for them is against them," the opponents of know-nothingism must protect themselves, by counter, but open and public organizations.
The circular referred to follows
OFFICE OF CORRESPONDING SECRETARY,
NASHVILLE, Sept. 8th, 1855.
Dear Sir: - A concurrent resolution of the requisite number of Councils has been forwarded to us directing a call for an Extra Session of the State Council.
In compliance therewith, we have appointed MONDAY, 8TH OF OCTOBER NEXT, as the day on which the Council shall convene in the City of Nashville. It will be your duty forthwith to elect THREE DELEGATES, the number to which you are entitled, and to take steps to ensure your representation either through them or suitable alternates or proxies.
The meeting is an exceedingly important one, and we trust you will use due diligence and activity in securing a punctual attendance on the part of your delegation.
Very Respectfully, &c., &c.,
WM. B. CAMPBELL,
President of the State Council of Tennessee.
JOHN S. DASHIELL,
Corresponding Secretary.
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical Event
Deception Fraud
What themes does it cover?
Deception
Justice
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Know Nothing Party
Secret Council
State Meeting
Political Secrecy
Democratic Vigilance
Tennessee Election
What entities or persons were involved?
Wm. B. Campbell
John S. Dashiell
Where did it happen?
Nashville, Tennessee
Story Details
Key Persons
Wm. B. Campbell
John S. Dashiell
Location
Nashville, Tennessee
Event Date
1855 09 08 To 1855 10 08
Story Details
Editorial exposes Know-Nothing secrecy in calling a State Council meeting in Nashville on October 8, 1855, via circular from September 8, 1855; criticizes oath-bound nature and urges Democratic vigilance and organization against them post-election.