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4 pp, 6 ¼ x 8, ALS, Baltimore, September 13, 1864, OLIVER H. MARTIN writes to his friend DAVID BENNETT with a fine narrative about the Know-Nothing Party in Baltimore and its anti-immigrant and anti-Catholic sentiments. Baltimore was a Know-Nothing stronghold. .There is scarcely any news here now but politics. I suppose you were at camp and had a good time of it. I would have been up but sickness prevented me from so doing. .I had the cholera or something very much like it. .I was very near bidding adieu to this country. I had eaten some cold potatoes for supper and about three o clock in the morning I was taken with cramps, puking and purging and I wakened up the family and Father went for the doctor and he covered me over with mustard and in that way, I laid for six or seven days, but I am glad to have it to say that I am quite well again and hope, Friend David, that you are enjoying good health. After all, that is the greatest blessing of being always well. We had a gala day here yesterday. It would done you good to see the Know Nothing Fishing Clubs turn out. It was the greatest sight I ever beheld and at night the democracy had a great time at Exchange Place. It was the largest crowd of people I ever seen. It was packed full from Gay to South Street. I went there but could not stand it and of all the dam Irish and Dutch. Twas nothing but Irish and you could of heard the speakers honeying up the Irish Catholicks and that dam squirt Bill Preston. He spoke there too. You remember, he addressed the Americans at Rider s Grove on the Fourth. I was with Charley French and while Preston was speaking, he, Charlie, cries out, Rider s Grove, Bill Preston, Riders Grove, and there was none that said one word to him and I never seen so many arrests made in all my life. I suppose you would like to know how many Know Nothings in Baltimore. Well, I got from headquarters there is about 16 or 17 thousand strong, enough to secure the election. I have never heard how you were getting along in Old Frederick. When you write, let me know all the news. And now, Friend David, a word about something else. Throughout the mid-19th century, the Know-Nothing party members were anti-immigrant and anti-Catholic. Know-Nothings feared that the immigrants would use their voting power to elect unsuitable politicians. The Know-Nothing Party gained traction in Baltimore as during the 1850s and immigrants competed with native-born Americans for low paying jobs. In Baltimore, there were serious election riots. In October 1856, there was a shoot-out between Know-Nothings and the police during a Baltimore riot. Election violence continued in Baltimore throughout the 1850s. In 1860, the Democrats took control of the state legislature and they acted forcefully in Baltimore. They took back the city police, the militia and the electoral machinery. By 1861, the remnants of the Know-Nothing movement had split over secession and federal forces took control of Baltimore. The letter is nicely written in period brown ink. Folds. Very easy to read. Everything we sell is guaranteed authentic forever to the original buyer. We also offer a 30-day return policy. If you discover a problem or are dissatisfied with an item, please contact us immediately. Our goal is to please every customer. We are pleased to be members of The Manuscript Society, Universal Autograph Collectors Club, The Ephemera Society, the Southern New England Antiquarian Booksellers and the Preferred Autograph Dealers and Auction Houses. [P 270 ].
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