New-York daily tribune., 1845-12-24
Secret Societies.

To the Editor Of The Tribune:
The philanthropst with emotions Of painful anxiety
views the efforts Of societies epread their inu
ence the land. Their notices. rare, and STILL and
mild the morning zephyr at first now, with the bold
ness OF the whirlwnd put forth their daily claims urg
ing for the patronage Of the public. And for what Fur
pose To aid, forsooth in advancing the claims OF
temperance and charity. See the hand'bl notices OF
the |. O. OF R." This is truly bright conception
under the guse of these celestial principles to endeavor
10 spread the influence of covered, dark, mysterious
associations It is indeed anomaly, that the great
cause of temperance should need the aid OF secret
society to accomplish It's noble designs It is strange
indeed that the expansive heaven.born subject Of be-
neyolence should need the aid Of society To
promote i,s views Can any obligations to do good
be created By such society Can any inducemeut TO dc
good be excited which might otherwise exist1 Can
any ability be gwen facilities 10 do good De promoted
which would not otherwise De accomplishedi II not,
where il the peculiar benefit OF secret society Tor
charitable uses promote the cause OF temperance
But what is tendency OF such associations Let
the young give the answer Let hlln say, wnetoer
passing every night in the socia! c!uoroom does not
relax MS moral sen,iments-does not unnerve MS mnd
does not induce attachment 10 company ana CON
vvial scenes utterly hostile that stadness ana so
briefly OF character 10 that energy OF acnon ana
OF purpose, Indispensable TO success "neI 90 "ucn
talent rlvary and enterprise exist as at tne present
dayf Let the man of business, whatever his employ
rncnr give The Let MIN state Wnetner pssslng
his nigns in the fascinating meetings OF secret club
does not involve large pecunlary oss oy dlverng the
thoughts and feelings from business pursuits and con-
suming time needed In maturing plans and storing the
mind with knowledge useful IN his calling Let The So
minded give the answer, whether the influences
OF nigntiy cornwall meetings the odge.room. Will
not peril nis domestic enoyments by inducing love OF
company and oistaste Tor the quiet OF the hres!oe
scene l. mas been countless cases. end unless tne
social character Of renovated, Wi! De so st-
Tne writer Witnessed its baetu! effects resulting Ia
ultimate intemperahce with all It's norrors against "hicn
al the arguments that De arrayed In Us iAVor "eSn
only rs q icaIher.
experience OF the world Have not secEst socieues
been rn2hsicaly the engines OF desPotlsn Are lney
not hostile social happiness Are tnsy NOT dangerous
enemies republican institutions Wnere 10 Ine secu
riry for life, Liberty, or properly wnen INC Saa VI
secret order may require 10 stand oy ana oeleno
the life and property OF brother member. against he
utouerty and life OF all Others right or wrongf 10 sucn
man nj TO juror upon your rignts Is sucn ~ az
70 be entrusted Win your nie has mol sucu oeeu o
effect OF secret societies and for sugn we know, u az
bers in every county and hamlet OF this broad land
hound unter oaths Of their order 10 adhere 10 eacn
orher anc at the baotoox 10 act IN concert would, al
the given signal overturn the Government horror
ge this in ceerty and eject uanscends the power o
The darkest cespOtisr1s OF Inc old world.
TIs urged. that honorable and exemplary men now
IL their chairs OF office. Gran. it-wnet then III
were Otherwise, could single Ueuabe. be obtained
that would honor fraternity But this Is not TIC
security, which the safety and weia-e Of society de
Inands. WHAT guaranty nave We that they will always
be controlled by good men And If controlled By bac
men they not been engines dangerous freedom
and happiness Who can say We are not even now IL
danger part Of the civil press refuses entertain anC
discuss his subject. And why Because that they
fear dissblise their friends who members Tht