Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1849-08-03
S. OF T. S f c r Z II S &.
BY ROLANDO Nd.

1
ring. rs well as by those who make fault find
| ing a source of pleasure to themselves. it is
proper 10 notice them more fully in this con-
necton.
That there are some few secrets connected
with our Institution we do not deny.-ihat
| they are of vital importance to the healthy
existence and perpetuiy of the Order is e.
| quav true and as the advantage of these to
| the Order is not fully understood by the IN
| initiated, 1t Is not an unusual occurrence 10
| meet with such inquiries as the following:
III the design of your organization is a
| good one, benevolent one, why render it OBJ
| noXious to public censure by unneces sarily
Introducing Secrets into the Order Whv
not make It public, so that all may enjoy its
| benefits 20 To these questions, we reply:
There was an ancient alIegory which taught
that Enry and Idieness, once upon time, got
married. They had one child, and its name
was Curiosity That child is still living upon
the EARTH and it seems 70 be kind of omni-
present being, which suStains itself by petty
thievings, taking Il little from one. little from
another, and some from all. 1t was to pre-
vent the too frequent lncursions of this inquis-
tive, meddesone little creature. that secrets
were introduced into the Order.
1t is for the same reason, We suppose, that
every tradesinan and merchant i'm YOUR town
has his prirate marks and his significant cap
italS, aud no objections are made 10 these, -
and besides, if all our proceedings were as
public many would make them, our inst-
tuions would contain no more vitality or ef-
fciency han any ordinary temperance society.
and thousands now saved from ruin, would
have remained to this day, unin1uenced and
unblessed.
But to answer the honest objections Of the
more candid under this head, allow to say,
that ours is not, and cannot be considered
Secret Organization in any offensive sense
What IS Secret Society, in the common ac-
ceptatIon of the term We answer, in the
language of an eminent writer of the present
age. He says: "A Secret Society, in its tru-
ly offensive import is one whose objects of
pursuit are secret and hidden from the public.
and whose principles are often SO impure, and
aim so directly at the overthrow of all good
government, that it becomes necessary for
such a Society, in self defence, to conceal
not only its principles, but also its designs
and Objects
OF this character were certain secret asso-
Citations under some of the ancient govern
ments and we find similar ones existing in
France and Germany at later period. How
far this inhence has extended in this country
we are not prepared to say. 1t was evident
ly to such that the great aud good Washing
ton made allusion in his Farewell Address to
his countTyme n.
But none of these things can be charged a.
ganst the Sons of Temperance. Their prin-
ciples are proclaimed throughout the length
and breadth of the land; the grand and lead
ing one of which is--tHe rescue Of the 1corld
from the reign Of .4lcohoi.t Their objects, too,
are all open aud known TO the world, while
the members of the Order are unknown to
each other, as Sons of Temperance, except
10 the DIVISION room.
But what are the few secrets of our Order
to which we have previously referred, and
which so much trouble the community at
large?
Our secrets, then, are perhaps as free from
objection as those of any beneficial Order oi
the kind eau possibly be. The password is
one Of the most important secrets 10 the Or
der, and answers the purpose of u key or bolt
in the outside Of mans dwelling, which can
easily be turned or changed so as TO shut out
all intruders when the family wishes to be by
itself; and it is a very harmless, yet u very
convenient little instrument.
The ceremony of initiation, also, is neces
sary a secret and is not that senseless, I'M
meaning act which many have supposed it to
be; but everything connected with it, is in
perfect accordance with the strictest princi-
pes of morality, or religion, if you please, and
with the best usages of the most refined and
elevated society. The candidate is introdu-
ced into a company of gentlemen with his
eyes wide open-the evil effects of intoxica-
ting drinks are wildly portrayed in charges
of so great moral beauty and subhmity, as
deeply to impress the mind of every sober
man. He is obligated neither TO make, buy,
nor use beverage, any spirltuous or malt
liquors, wine or cider-to observe the Consti-
tuition and Regulations Of the Order, and
not to divuIge its private affair s-tO promote
its harmony and advance ITS interests. lie Is
charged to use all his influence as temper
ate man. to induce others to adopt the prn-
ciples OF total abstinence from strong drink
to pursue life of moral purity and integ
rity-to love his brethren and keep inyiolate
the Pledge.
But, says the objector, member is obiga-
ted not to divulge the pricale affairs OF the Or
der.
To be sure he is and what are they other
than those above enumerated We will IT,
form YOU further on this point If brother
is so unfortunate as 10 break his pledge, this
is n private matter, and no member has right
to tell il out of the Division, retail the fact
about the streets; and this IS reilly a great
privation, IS it not Nv hat not allowed to
proclaim to the world a brothers. faults. and
| let him 90 unwhipped of censure and of JUS
tce Yes it is even so we are bound TO
conceal brothers faults, till there is no hope
of his reformation. and the secret is IL tremen-
dous one, is it not1 But we are justified in
/ this course of action by the example and doc
| trine of that great Teacher, whose errand OF
mercy and of love on earth 10 reclaim, re
/ form and bless the wretched and the ruined.
/ Agan, If a brother IS 10 want, and we relieve
| him this is n priU1te matter, dHotEer danger
! mr., e,,;kSr the Order-as the objector would
perhaps think--but like the other. it happens
70 be in accordance with divine injunction
..I,et not not thy left hand know what thy
right hand doeth.''