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The Know-Nothing Party Platform
The Know-Nothing Party was born out of New York in 1844, when the American Republican Party officially split from the American Whig Party, who still hoped to garner immigrant votes. The Know-Nothing Party's central policies were nativist, or hostile to immigrants. In the context of the 1850s, immigrants typically worked the lowest paying jobs. Nativists feared that the immigrants would use their voting power to elect unsuitable politicians, given the generalization that immigrants were associated with "radical political groups." Also essential to Know-Nothing doctrine was anti-Catholicism, as Know-Nothings feared that Catholics were more loyal to the Catholic Church than the government. Irish Catholics were the main targets of nativist discrimination as they were the largest population of workers in low-paying jobs in the United States.

The Know-Nothing Party in Baltimore
The Know-Nothing Party gained traction in Baltimore as the population of immigrants grew during the 1850s, and immigrants competed with native-born Americans for jobs. In 1850 20% of Baltimore's population were immigrants, and by 1854 immigrants made up about 1/4 of the total population. 60% of the state population were Methodists, considered "pietist," who often associated Catholicism with stereotypes of immoral behavior among immigrants, argues Historian Jean H. Baker.

Geography of Baltimore Politics
By 1857 Know-Nothings dominated cities in eastern and western Maryland. The cities of St. Michaels and St. Fredericks, with larger immigrant populations, were heavily Know-Nothing, showing hostility between native-born and immigrants were lived in the same place. Predominantly Democrat areas were higher in Catholic and immigrant populations, such as Leonardtown. In the 1850s, ethnic groups often separated themselves into "territories" that neither native born or immigrants dared to cross. The Lexington Market area was predominantly Democratic while Know-Nothings generally lived in the Federal Hill area in Baltimore

The Party's first meeting in Baltimore took place August 18, 1853 with about 5,000 in attendance. The party's central policies called for secularization of public schools, complete separation of church and state, freedom of speech, and regulating immigration. The first Know-Nothing candidate elected into office in Baltimore was Mayor Samuel Hinks in 1845.

Election Violence in Baltimore
Baltimore was given the nickname "Mob-Town" because of a longer history of rioting and an poorly staffed police force that did little to stop the violence. Baltimore street gangs formed in the early 19th century but became more formally organized around the 1830s. The New Market Fire Company became notorious in Baltimore, often feuding with the Rip Raps. Street gangs in Baltimore developed connection with politicians from opposing political parties in the 1830s. The street gang known as the Plug Uglies' founding members were strongly nativist. Historian Jean H. Baker argues that violence regularly broke out in Baltimore when "men were off work," and riots were very likely to break out during weekend activities such sporting events and festivals. Historian David Grimsted argues that there was atleast one large riot between local fire companies in Baltimore 1856-1861, and the tolerance for this violence by political figures was "but a step to the election riots that disgraced Baltimore."

Violence on election days was common in nineteenth century Baltimore, as polling places were located in predominantly native-born districts, so immigrants travelling to these polling places were often targeted by Nativist rivals. Historian Jean H. Baker argues that both Democrats and Know-Nothings in Baltimore used "press, pamphlet, and political speech," to promote violence in the name of political gains.

September 12 Riot
September 12, 1856, on the celebration of Baltimore's founding, local gangs the Blood Tubs, the Wampanoags, and the Rip Raps (also members of the Know-Nothing party) raided a tavern and fired shots. 2 people died and around 20 were injured. The riot solidified Baltimore's reputation as "anarchic," as documented by newspapers nationwide.

Municipal Election Riot
The days leading up to the municipal election on October 8, were already marked by violence between the Democrats and Know-Nothings. A riot ensued on October 5, 1856, when Democrats tore down a Know-Nothing flag. The Democrats, trying to ward off the Know-Nothings, took cover in a nearby home and had a cannon. Police interfered, arresting several Democrats. The next day, October 6, 1856, a shootout ensued after Know-Nothings provoked Democrats on the corner of Baltimore Street. Know-Nothings also sacked a tavern owned by Democrat Sam McElwee in the Centre Market area, and fired shots at McElwee's home. Know-Nothings were about to raid the Democrat "Empire House," but were apprehended by police. Know-Nothings fled from the police "down French Street towards Jones' Falls," and finally a fifteen minute shootout occurred on Holliday Street between the rival parties. Election day October 8, 1856 was marked with violence in twenty city wards in Baltimore. Democrats incited a riot in the eighth ward, nicknamed "The Irish Eighth," when democrats tried to drive Know-Nothings out of the eight ward's polls, and a shootout ensued on Monument Street. 3 Democrats were killed. The same day another riot took place when Know-Nothing affiliated Rip Raps set upon the Democratic New Market Fire Company's firehouse, and after a shootout, the Democrats were forced to flee the Lexington Market area. 2 Plug Uglies died. Know-Nothings were successful in electing candidate Thomas Swann for Mayor by 1000 votes over Democrat Robert C. Wright. Scholar Tracy Matthew Melton argues that the riots on October 8, 1865 were "the worst violence in the city's history, more deadly than the earlier riots that earned the city's nickname, 'Mob Town.'"

National and State Election Riot
National and state elections took place on November 4, 1856. Mayor Swann did "order the Maryland Light Division of Infantry," but it was never put to action during the violence of that day, and Swann refused Governor Ligon's offering of military reinforcement. Election violence was widespread in Baltimore when "it was soon quite apparent a fair vote could not be polled." In Baltimore's 6th ward, a mob fired a cannon at police. In the 2nd ward, Know-Nothings were thrown out of polling stations by Democrats, but Democrats were eventually curbed by Know-Nothings from the 4th ward who provided back-up. 67 people were injured and 17 died in the events of the riot. Know-Nothing Candidate for President Millard Fillmore was victorious in Baltimore, receiving 16,900 votes.

Government Response
In the city elections of 1857, officials hoped to better prepare to control instances of election violence. Governor Thomas Ligon ordered George H. Steuart's militia of "six regiments of 600 men each," because he felt that local authorities did not adequately respond to violence. Ligon was met with criticism by Mayor Swann, who argued that it was unconstitutional for the governor to "take command in person" and order a militia without seeking permission first. Local officials ruled that Ligon did not have legal grounds to call a militia and did not provide enough evidence to support the need for one. Mayor Swann instead ordered 200 special policeman to be ready election day. Additionally, Mayor Swann reinforced the existing police force, adding 105 men. The strengthened police force proved to be ineffective, as policemen did little to interfere during outbreaks of violence during election. To prevent violence at the polls, the city wards were redrawn and the number of polling stations increased, but the two parties would freely relocate the polls themselves. The Democratic Party in Baltimore asked voters to submit evidence of voter suppression by Know-Nothings.

Continued Violence
Election violence and fraud continued in the following years despite efforts to stop it. In the 1857 gubernatorial election, riots were not as common but voter suppression was employed by Know-Nothings. Know-Nothings would beat anyone who was not voting on a Know-Nothing Ballot, marked by a red stripe. Know-Nothing candidate Samuel Hinks was elected governor, and assured that he would "Never call on a militia the night before an election," like Governor Ligon did.

During the 1858 Mayoral Election, Know-Nothings raided the Deutsche Correspondent Newspaper headquarters. Swann was re-elected in 1858.