New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-01-09
For The Tribune
Secret Associations Incompatible with the
General Law.

General Law.
We noticed some time since what NAV be called
in auusion TO the aame of the print, remarkable
pbenomenon-a doctrinal spot-in the Baltimore
sun. If we recoect arish; the purpor of the par
arraph, it aimed to eulogize the keeping OF secrets
invtolablv as in the case Of certain Association
recently formed upon mysteries originated, or prob
ably imported into the Monumental City, and thence
widely, diaused: the ascrbed virtue consisted in
making perfect state of society
AS the arrest of bad odor which would contain
mate the air is means OF preserving health so an
offensive secret strictly kept, must preserve good
morals On the contrary as the fragrance OF SPICES
and flowers revives the spirits, and produces agree
oble sensations. so the circulation Of useful inte
eence is beneficial TO the community 1t depends,
therefore on the character Of the secrets whether
the keeping of them be vice or virtue.
The SUN. ia this case, has changed its character.
and reminds US Of comment we have seen en- the
word lucus, grove; lucas a non iucendo: which
we translate light from not shining. The SUM-
however in its daily and annual career has brought
IN light or rather has poured light upon many enor
mities and upon large classes OF crime, which might
have worked previously, in the bosom of societv
though for the most part, unknown 10 the virtuous
portion of mankind and II held forth pretensions
10 ,errfy and expe evil doors, by exposure out OF
the land The number. however. has apparently in
creased and instead of scorching and whitening i,
has fosered by its rays the shaded plant the timd
offender into the bold and reckless bravo There
is some inconsistency in this matter. which the Sun
must elucdate il is indeed very strange solar
doctrine under the motto " Light for ALL" 10 euo-
gize mperviabe shades II Is an erroneous estimate
pabe OF expelling and destroying poisonous rep
tiles and insects II the bright day which bring
eth forth the adder and Graves wary walking
By secrets we do not understand things which are
naturally unknown, but those which are artuly
concealed by oaihs and penalties. for the exclusive
benefit OF combination OF individuals. Neither do
we regard the raties OF humanity secrets either
in the genus or species but they such things as
decencv secludes and the mantle of iraterna SYM
pa,hv covers in the individual case From this in
cident our attention turned TO the contempla-
ton of the character and properties OF Secret Asso
Citations in connection with Republican institutions
aud we came 20 this conclusion that every secret
voluntarily made, for the purpose of combining the
strength OF part of the people in separate interest
is usurpation of the rights of the whole, banefu to
society," and pal pabe intracton Of the general law
There is in all the works of creation uniform
tendency TO erOire bat not 10 anvofre mysteries
Nothing is hid that shall not be made known and
discoveries is proof Of TINS doctrine, and of the
liberality of Nature in this respect If then vol
untarv secret be adverse 10 the general economy of
the universe it must be adverse TO q sound moral
action in the community and cannot tend 10 the per-
lection OF society There are secrets it is true, of
so little importance, that 10 give them 10 the world
would be ridiculous employment and of this kind
are the words and tokens by which contraternities
distinguish their members these take their value
from the use made of them not from any talismanic
power or intrinsic worth.
But Secret Associations are said 10 be necessary
for the protection of individual interests this mil h
be admitted if the open and avowed protection OF
the laws should fail Of the proper effect To assert
that the rights OF citizens in jeopardy and no
remedy provided, is a libel on the government
And if the charge were true, since every man has
his hand in making and executing the laws, he who
loves his country will geek the remedy in the line
of means by which her honor is promoted, not in
seditious and spurious combination.
If there be any excusable lime for secret A $50
cations it must be when society becomes too cor
rupt TO hold itself together; and even then they
only hasten the dissolution OF the body polite; Tor
one combination generates another, and anoiher;
and the whole community is at length cantoned into
little bands fortified against each other as IN block
houses and carrying predatory war, to termi-
nate only in the extirpaton OF all the parties. This
is the perfection of Secret Associations What is
the experience OF the world in regard 10 this clan
nish arrangement Let the story Of the Indian
tribes answer let the petty chietancies othe oiden
time answer. They will detail a train OF ferocous
and deadly passions, disrust, suspicion, aversion
fear, hatred they will detail the predomnance and
Qualification of brute force. fraud and reachery
with all their conconIitants as rapine, murder and
lust.
An honest man has no secrets and even crimi
nal resorts ultimately 10 eclaUciSSement OF his
conduct for relief. In the days Of despotism and
oppression Secret Associations might be excused
they might afford relief 10 individual suffering; but
in this Republic, based upon intelligence IN the ru
ing number secrets are seditious; they draw the
power to an llegitimae head, and tend directly TO
The subverson OF our free institutions. The Suns
intention was TO pass a compliment upon an inhuen
tal BODY of men, good citZens-and such we know
them 10 be-but they have been led into great
error in gil their benevolence; and II devolves upon
them TO consider 10 the justice OF absorbing the
strength OF the general community INTO 4 selfish
combination, leaving the reoker part destitute OF
an equal share of the common protection. and even
the arm of the law doubtful as to the character of
their support in time of need Not TO step beyond
The ordinary civil affairs of the community. what
impartial magistrate, Juror or witness can be eX
necred in citizen bound by oaths of partially 10
Secret Association Oaths of exclusive friendship?
Postscriptum,-sincew writing the above, wehave
been informed that the Association alluded 10 is
thriving scion of the parent stock in England
Here it numbers already some ninety or one hun
dred thousand but there it exceeds half million,
at the head of which is Royal Duke. The object
of the Association there is doubtless to organize an
espionage over the trodden-down masses in every
part of the kingdom and to support The aristocratc
system which prevails in that mouopolized country.
The pompous titles and gorgeous regalia adopted
in the Association evnce the spirit which pervades
it. The imperious style of their mandates shows,o
what profound subsection they would subdue the
minds of their yassals I'VE COMMAND you to
visit the sick" &C. says this spurious and seditious
power, in the arrogance of bandit just as ii this
ORIGINALLY announced, and had been no duty in
Commonwealth. until imposed for the special ben,
ininsnce ;s thus usurped over unsuspecting citizens
who unwisely depart from the protection Of their
power which may prove as dangerous as it prom
ises 10 be useful We therefore atfectonately eau
ton our Young men against this snare The vigi-
lance of its ambition is alarming. N.
General Notifies.