Many Americans have always been reluctant to admit the existence of a disturbingly large group of Fascistminded people in our own country. We regard as grotesque the Know Nothing political movement of a century ago. As the Presiding Officer [Mr. HumPHSEY]. who is a student of history. will recall. the leaders of the Know Nothing movement in the United States opposed immigration and immigrants. particularly Irish Immigrants. and even claimed that the Pope was coming here to America to establish a Vatican somewhere along the Mississippi. Political agitators of 1854. who had not been nominated by either of the leading political parties. were elected to high office. This Know Nothing movement elected members of Congress and influenced others.
Identified stereotypes
Irish immigrants are associated with the Know Nothing movement and anti-immigrant sentiment.