Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1848-08-18
NO. 30.

| '"eu' tnro"h oack upontne original GueS-
ZION, +" Is secrecy wrong.in itself ~ We
have already shown from the highes,
authority. even divine authority, that in
specified cases secrecy is so far from be-
ing crime, that it is commended as a
virtue. But lest any should disregard
the authority quoted. and attempt to evade
the force of the argument based thereup-
on, we will state farther, that there is not
civilized nation on the globe. where
legislative assemblies do not close their
doors and hold secret sessions. Even in
our own happy Country, the freedom and
equality of whose laws and institutions
are the pride Of her own citizens, and
the admiration of the world, Congress
can close her doors at pleasure, hold her
secret sessions, devise measures. and con-
coct schemes of vital importance to the
interest of seventeen millions of free.
men and her deliberations NAV be law
fully withheld from the public until
dooms dav.
Physicians, counselors, Judges Jurors and
men OF every profession and calling have their
secrets, and 1t is esteemed in them virtue not
TO be too communicative. And shall members
OF secret societies alone be censured lor that
which is deemed virtuous and praiseworthy
in all others? | trust not. But of this class
oil ohJectors, there are some who quote scrip
ture TO us-they tell Us THAT the Savior com
manded us to let our lights shine before others
true, very true. But what others are CON
tempiated IN the text! Look at it-men do
not light saEdle and put it under busheI.
our on candle stand that it may give light to
all that are in the house. Come in, then, if
bp hap Of lioht
not to extingush it. All, but, saws the OBJ
Jector. you have confounded the figure with
the thing to be signfied-the principle to be
Illustrated. tie says let your light shine be-
tore others that they may see your good
works and glorify our Father which is in
Heaven. Very well, Mr.. Obector we have
now traced you In your windings to the point
we have you where we want you-vour
good works are to be exhibited. Wei, come
and see ours, we are far from being ashamed
OF them-and here permit me to remind YOU
1t You be IA rellgIonlst, that YOU are bound
equally with us by Apostolic injunctions to
be ready Tor every good work. Is ours a good
work by our fruits we are willing to be
Judged-;ire they bad, condemn us-are they
good, we demand your respect. Do you see
that committee, in the faithful discharge of
their duty, approaching the house of that
Of kindness to him, but his heart is made 10
leep for JOY on seeing them, for he knows they
are brethren to whom he can safely eonfide
all-he can unbOsom himself-with them he
can find sympathy. And he knows moreo-
yer, that his Immediate WAITS will be sup
piled. 1t Is unnecessary to specify cases.
1t is a fact that, under the influence of the
pure principles of Our Order, the inebriate
is cured and Reason aided in reascending heg
rightfuI throne. The youth is studIously
guarded against the seductive articles Of the
vile tempter. The widows wounded heart
is healed, and the tear of grief wiped rom
the eye of the afflicted. The orphans cry IS
hushed-the hun Try fed-the destitute cloth
ed, and the ignorant enlightened.
Our willy opponent will probably say that
these things are all we'll enough. but that he
is very conscientious, and that Paul has com
manded that we "have 20 fellowship with
the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather
eprove them And now, says the Director,
the Apostle is certainly complaining Of things
done in secret. True, he is; but you do not
complain of any thing done-if so. what is it 4!
can you tell Do not wrest the holy book
to make Roadway against us-for conscience
sake do not do ii. The re is manifest want
of relevancy-your proof does not meet your
1t was the things done and not
the secret manner in which they were done
of which the Apostle complained. 1t was
the crimes, the attrocious crimes of which
he says it would be a shame to speak, that
he complains of. But you complain of YOU
know not what; indeed, you complain be-
cause you do not know something, and then
lind fault with US because you do not know
what 1t is you wish to enquire after. And
then attempt to prostitute the sacred scrip
he int he
such medley. God save the world form
error in logic and reason, as we'll as from the
bighting blacknlng curse of intemperance
which we are unitedly laboring to destroy.
Believing that all the objections worthy ef
notice that come under the general head of (
secrecy, have been noticed, | shall leave this |
branch OF the subject with you, and hasten |
to notice another, and the last objection that !
intend bringing before you this morning.
The objection relates to our excluding the |
ladies from participation in the ceremonies |
Of our Order. 1t Is alledged that we disre-
gard their influence, and virtually say. by ex-
GLIDING them, that they are unworthy our
association, or that we fear to entrust them /
with our secrets. We feel that it is our duty |
to answer this objection, because, so far |
As the ladies are induced to believe that |
they excluded for either of the causes |
above named, 1t will tend to excite their pre-
JUDGES against our Order, and thereby de- !
privt 1t of the influence of the better half of /
our species. To the charge that they are /
not admitted, we plead guilty and throw our /
selves upon the mercy Of the court, for it is 4
self evident that no woman can become a Son |
Of Temperance. But the differences we most
solemnly deny. We are not unappriseG OF /
the influence of woman. We know it has I
ever bad powerful bearing upon national as
we'll as Individual character. But we know /
also that there are situations in life as well !
Is callings which are unsuitable to the deli /
,acses Of female character. The legislative
nall, the camp of war. the arena of busy and /
active life. have never BY civilized nations .
been considered appropriate spheres for yyo-