The Know-nothings were a political party, 1853–9, who called themselves “the American party,” but usually said they knew nothing of its organization.
1854. A Few Thoughts on Know-Nothingism.—Yale Lit. Mag., xx. 12–6 (Oct.).
1854. Is there any party, faction, or segment of a party, except that misguided and prescriptive faction, called “Native Americans” or “Know-Nothings,” who have the hardihood or the courage to propose to repeal the naturalization laws of the United States? I sincerely hope and trust not!—Mr. Dodge of Iowa, U.S. Senate, July 10: Cong. Globe, p. 1667/2.
1854. The origin and character of Know-nothingism were discussed at length by Mr. Barry of Mississippi, House of Repr., Dec. 18: id., pp. 53–60, App.
1855. The know-nothings of the great States are sound on the slavery question.—New York Herald, May 21.
1855.
| A matron of Portland (no matter what street) | |
| Fell into a wondrous excitement of late, | |
| A neighbor, at midnight, had told her that Hodge, | |
| Her husband, had gone to a Know-nothing lodge. | |
Oregon Weekly Times, June 2. |
1855. Farmers! did you get up Know-Nothingism? No. It was got up amongst “stove-pipe hats” and patent black leather shoes.—Id., June 16.
1855. Know-nothing-ism in its hideous deformity now stands unmasked in Cincinnati.—Cincinn. Enquirer, n.d.
1856. Washington is, at this time, governed by the Know Nothings, and the magistrate, in disposing of the case, was probably actuated by a well-founded dread of secret conspiracies, inquisitions, and persecutions.—Olmsted, ‘Slave States,’ p. 15. (N.E.D.)
1862. By means of a secret organization emanating from that fecund source of every political infamy, New England, and named Know-Nothingism or ‘Sammyism’—from the boasted exclusive devotion of the fraternity to the United States—our city, from being the abode of decency, of liberality, generosity and justice, has become a perfect hell.—The True Delta, New Orleans, May 6: quoted in Parton’s ‘General Butler in New Orleans,’ p. 299.
