Autumn Clothing & the Know Nothings Are Coming
Tuesday, October 26th, 2010Dragonfly Top
Top made from a thick rayon sarong makes a great autumn garment
Autumn Clothing.
We now have socks, arm & leg warmers online. More will soon be added. Our New Mexico autumn is in full swing. Light frost this morning & more cold weather on the way. Scarves are also a seasonal favorite. Finally, we have the time to do a major webpage upgrade. Thanks to all of you for all you patience.
The Know Nothings Are Coming
Rather than whine about the expected Democratic Party losses in the November 2 elections, I want to examine a perennial American movement called the know Nothing Movement.
Originally it began in the 1840s when native-born Protestants formed secret societies opposed to immigrants, Catholics, and Jews. They started riots & killed some of the immigrant Irish & German Catholics they so hated. Society members were told to say “I know nothing” when asked about their activities. Hence the term ‘Know Nothing’ was applied to all members of these nativist (anti-immigrant) groups. This amalgamation of Know Nothings peaked in 1856, when their presidential candidate, Millard Fillmore, carried one state - Maryland. They then declined as the US descended into the Civil War.
In the 1920s, white Protestants again turned to violence with their strong anti-immigrant feelings. This time it was against those from south and eastern Europe - particularly the Italians & Polish- as well as Catholics, Jews & blacks. The major ‘Know Nothing’ organization at this time was the Ku Klux Klan. It enjoyed widespread popularity in both the North and South, but its influence rapidly waned after 1924.
Where am I going? Is the Tea Party Movement the modern heir to the Know Nothing movement? In some respects yes. Those who fear today’s immigrants from Mexico are propelled by the same fears as the original Know Nothings. The are afraid of change and particularly those who appear different. This time it is illegal immigrants from Mexico, Central America & other Latin countries who are hated & blamed for our problems.
The proposal to change the 14th amendment so that the children of illegal immigrants born here are not automatically granted US citizenship is similar to the original Know Nothing proposal that immigrants had to live 21 years in the US (instead of five years) before they could become citizens.
A Personal Note
The Philadelphia area was a hot bed of Know Nothing activity in the 1840s. I grew up outside Philadelphia and as an adolescent belonged to the junior branch of a patriotic order that was part of the local 1840s Know Nothing movement. The senior members ran what seemed to be a stuffy men’s club. I lost contact with them after I left the area to go to college. Today, they help preserve historic sites & even admit naturalized citizens. Still I would bet that more than a few of them are active in today’s Tea party movement.
Know Nothing organizations arise and fall, but their bad ideas remain.