State Historical Society of Iowa

"Examiner's Questions for Admittance to the American (or Know-Nothing) Party," July 1854

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Courtesy of Library of Congress, "Examiner's Questions for Admittance to the American (or Know-Nothing) Party," July 1854

Description

The "obligation" assumed by prospective candidates of the Know-Nothing Party for membership is spelled out in this handwritten document from Newburg, Pennsylvania in July 1854. It required candidates to "solemnly ... swear upon that sacred and Holy emblem before Almighty God, and these witnesses, that you will not divulge or make known to any person whatever, the nature of the questions I may ask you here, the names of the persons you may see here or that you know that such an organization is going on as such, whether you become a member or not!" The candidate was then required to pledge to elect only native-born citizens to office, to the exclusion of all immigrants and Roman Catholics.

Transcript of "Examiner's Questions for Admittance to the American (or Know-Nothing) Party"

Source Dependent Questions

  • After reading the document, what do you think was the basis for the Know-Nothing Party?
  • What would be the significance of immigrants being elected to office? Why would members of the Know-Nothing Party be so opposed to government power in the hands of immigrants?
  • How do you think fewer immigrant elected officials might have impacted the amount and quality of resources and supports available for newly arriving immigrants and refugees?
  • How did the ideas in this document support or contradict the idea that America has always been welcoming to immigrants?

Citation Information

"Examiner's Questions for Admittance to the American (or Know-Nothing) Party," July 1854. Courtesy of Library of Congress Courtesy of Library of Congress