Epilogue

Abstract

The Epilogue chapter summarizes nativism in Louisiana from the 1830s to the 1850s. This chapter discusses how foreigners and Catholics became a part of the political climate of the time and how the Know Nothings seemed to be a permanent fixture to oppose the Democrats. The summary reviews how Know Nothings’ anti-Catholicism was a serious handicap in heavily Catholic South Louisiana and confirms that many old Whigs made up a large part of the Know Nothing party. The chapter refutes older views of the Know Nothings being primarily large, wealthy slave-owning aristocrats or well-to-do town businessmen. The chapter reiterates that Louisiana Democrats and Know Nothings were often from a similar socio-economic background. It concludes with the view that Louisiana Know Nothings were different and unique in many ways from Know Nothings elsewhere. Louisiana Know Nothings attempted to preserve the Union while, at the same time, defend southern rights. In the end, they failed.