New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1845-12-29
Secret Societies..


A correspondent of The Tribune over the sigma
ture of E. on "Wednesday. up fearful catalogue
0; evils political and civil which ne have ial!en
upon society by the formation OF Secret Associations
That Secret ASSOCIATIONS have and may still be danger
Gus sccety none will dispute Secret Societies, as
well as political organizations. whose acts are ayowed
assembled FOR sinister purposes, may do FTeparsblc in
jures 10 human rights Blu. it does not necessarily FOL
low that al societies who have secrets are dangerous to
political or civil institutions, which appears 10 have
escaped the notice of ysur correspondent.
The Sons OF Temperance and the Odd Fellows Asso-
Citations have coujured up Ruin, Iaiempranee DestT~e
ton and Despots before his vision these fruits ard
upon these horrors the offspring OF disordered brain
or extraordinary fertile imagination, he loses hi4
argument for the overthrow Of two of the most noble,
charitable and benevolent institutions OF the age.
II those members Were, AS nc most srave!y asserts,
sworn to defend the lie or property OF orother
member against the life property of all others. right
or wroag.' then, indeed. would there be cause Tor
alarm IL as he He has witnessed these bsne-
;il Effects resulting IN ultimate ntemperance in 81 o us
horrors" then should the civil as well as The Rei-
gious Press swell the echo Of alarm more especially if
he charges, these evenings ere spent In Conv!vh!
Scenes. Does E. expect 10 convince any intelligent per
that the Temperate Sons OF Temperance spend Their
evenings in such az he describes II he does be
will most certainly be mistaken.
Tine breiest refu;aon that can be given 10 such base
SANDERS will be to quote from the bylaws and con5ti
constitutions of the grand lodge and the subordinate
lodges substantially the same.
One Of the rules by which the lodges oil Odd Fellows
conducted, is
That the lodge" quote the exact Words shall be
opened and closed with prayer
Another is,
No smoking or other refreshments other than water,
shall at any time be allowed in the lodge or any apart
men, thereto belonging
Another reads,
For swearing in the lodge, u,tering indecent Ian
guagc or being dsrespectfu TO oifcera or membersa
fine exceeding one dollar
Another,
For drunkenness, improper conduct in or out OF the
lodge proposing unworthy characters Tor membership,
fine. Suspension expulsion"
One might quot. other rules and laws equally explicit,
bat these think quite sufficient. and need no
comment. That there great numbers Of our best
citizens in full membership and fellowship with the
lodges none can deny including hundreds Of cergyuen
the different denominations whose Christian charac-
tel undou5tcd Does any in his senses believe
dangerous to society aud which compromised their
neehb0rs property and rights 1t is not our intention
to illustrate tue many and great benefits derived nom
The associations Of the SaGs of Temperance and Goa
Fellowship but briefly TO show how false and groundess
are the ears and conecures Of f. fearing that these
excellent societies for extending universal brotherhood
might be injured il they were left unanswered. i.