Know Nothingism at Its Peak: 1854–55

Abstract

Chapter 3 discusses how the Know Nothing party affected the entire state with several election victories. The chapter stresses Know Nothing resolve to affect reform and native-American control of the political system. The chapter also demonstrates how Know Nothings have been incorrectly characterized by earlier historians of the party in Louisiana. The chapter points out how the influence of northern Know Nothings’ opposition to slavery placed a heavy burden on the creditability of southern and Louisiana Know Nothings in the South and in Louisiana. For Louisiana, this chapter confronts the anti-Catholicism and secretiveness of the national party that embarrasses the party in the state and how Louisiana Americans stressed their conservatism and devotion to the Union as a way to avoid the slavery issue.