| 词汇 | know-nothing |
| 词源 | know-nothing. Pledged to complete silence about their orga- nization, members of New York’s Order of the Star-Spangled Banner told anyone who inquired about their secret society: “I know nothing about it.” Thus as early as 1850 they were called Know-Nothings. Later, when they merged with other groups into the national American Party in 1856, this stock reply be- came “I know nothing in our principles contrary to the Consti- tution.” A strange statement for a party that was anti-Catholic, whose members vowed to vote only for native Americans, and which supported a 25-year residence requirement for citizen- ship, among other reactionary principles. The Know-Nothings achieved considerable success in local contests, but fared badly in the 1856 national elections, even with ex-President Millard Fillmore as their candidate and they ceased to be a political power after 1860. However, their name lives on as a synonym for any reactionary political group or individual that appeals to base emotions. Other political parties have fared just as badly over the years and one wonders which modern party will go the way of the Doctrinaires, the Intransigents, and the Know- Nothings. See doctrinaire; intransigent. |
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