The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-05-28
asE From the Nation al Inteigencer.
TO THE CITIZENS OF WASHINGTON.


TO THE CITIZENS OF WASHINGTON.
The approaching election for Mayor of this city is in
vested with much than ordinary interest," arising
from the peculiar and astounding principles that
at work to control the election by novel and mysterious
agencies.
element heretofore unknown to US, is organized
for the purpose Of suppantng all the considerations and
influences that have hitherto entered into elections
and which have alone been considered appropriate and
safe.
secret society," denominaed KNOW NorHISos," has
Gently sprung up in our midst which lives and moves
and has its being beyond the ken of eye that has not
penetrated its mysterious concave This society is
lied for its exclusive action and objects 1t has its
candidate for the mayoray and boasts of its ability
to elect him. through the secret and invisible influences
that it controls
In government like ours which is in all its relations
government of the people, what object necessity is
there for secret societies concealDent of any kind
ought there to be- to influence any popular election? Con-
cealmentl from whom and for what2 Conceament from
the people, by the people and against the people, who
are all in all! The idea is an absurdity, and is re-
pugnant TO the whole spirit and theory of institutions
that it can have no preext for commentator or counte-
The whole subject of every popular election be-
longs to the people, from its inception TO its close and
being popular admit of secret influences
cealed motives.
Every influence that be brought to bear upon an
election by the people should be made by the people, and
with the greatest possible publicity that all might know
ana a @ s as e END 10 DC
The people have to distrust themselves
in the open aboyeboard exercise of any preogave which
protection of their rights they must always act under
the influence of the highest and purest motives. Their
only danger from false security that sinks into apathy
and the hidden schemes of corruption which have their
origin and existence in secret political societies, clubs
and unos, which the diseased spots the
tic and part Of the healthy action of the people proper
Truth and justice and honor have eonceaments.
They live in transparency and court light and investi
CATION that they may gain strength they seen and
known. They dread nothing SO much as darkness and
mystery the great enemies OF moral beauty and honest
purposes No good motive for popular rights need court
the obcurity of night and the whispers OF hidden con-
cave These the haun and precautions of guilt and
crime and wherever they can be traced they SHOULD be
marked with warning.
This "know-nothingn fraternity is refinement upon
all the associations that have preceded it. Its organ
zaton exists and iii untraceable its identity is unseen
and unknown beyond the mystic tie that forms the brother
hood its motives lie buried in the profound obscure
IT, with the exception of small leak tina; has revealed
enough to show It's deformity and proclaim its danger
II is like the invisible pestience that seeks its victims with
out warning and with the silent tread Of death
The accidental revelation OF part OF the scheme Of this
secret society that has been brought to public notice is to
ostacise every foreigner who has made land his home
and our laws his protection No matter what his moral
worth, his intelligence and patriotism matter what
his devotion liberty and bis sacrifices and suerings in
its cause his foreign birth makes him nothing than
mere exile In our land, and probation will admit him
TO the rights of citizenship So say the know nothngs
That hand OF fellowship and brotherhood which Wash
ngton extended to Hamilton when he made him hA Sec
rotary of the Treasury and the like feelings that inu-
enced Jefferson when he conferred Gallan the Secre
aryshp Of the Treasury and Madison when he called
Dallas to the high office epudiaed by this secret
club for secret reasons,
army aud navy in the Of the revolution and of 1872
and Of Mexico who braved every DANGER and sealed with
their blood on every battlefield their devotion TO
and their faithful allegiance 10 the land Of their adoption
plead nothing in behalf Of the cmgrant who comes
shores under all the promises and sanctions Of liberty and
law Mo- the latent wisdom and patriotism Of this know
nothing club disfanchse all such and place them under
the ban Of their hostility Another portion Of their creed
that has escaped the concaye is to resist all the privileges
Of religious liberty guaranteed by the constitution This
beautiful and sacred feature Of government, is TO be
blotted out If this secret conspiracy effect IT.
With this imperfect but significant revelation Of the OBJ
ec's Of this now-nohing secret political association can
You prudeny, safely, and honorably trust your rights
and the safety of your city TO the keeping Of these
Will You not prefer TO exercise your judgment in the
choice Of man that you o and hare tried than to fol-
low unknown guides for unknown purposes2 Will you
shut your eyes to all the consequences that might follow
the victory of this secret club2 Arc you satisfied that
Congress whom look for much that is important TO
city would look approvngly upon the Of such
association Are all the reasonable calculations
agains, it2 What could this association offer to COM
pensate for the loss Of the favorable opinion and influence
of Congress to our city, What would be the amazomeut
and condemnation Of tho whole country TO sec the etrop
oils Of the nation under the administration OF knosc
R0htngs Where would shame find apology for such
folly Are you prepared to believe hat such state of
things might not revive the question the fspopa Of the
seat Fl goranment-a question, whenever mooied, fatal
TO property and every interest that belongs
city, These considerations up in all their potency
and multiply as the subject is investigated.
Your wisdom and your prudence never ser-
ously invoked that Of this moment Without knowing
any member of this association have TO Judge
Of them and speak Of them organized club secret in
all its movements in conflict with the genius Of our gov
eminent and such not entitled to the and conf
dence of the public affecting popular rights and popular
elections. AN OLD CITIZEN
An herb called skucaP, it is said will cure hydropboba
There several kinds The proper kind grows about
two feet high, has square stalk green leaves opposite
each other and spear-sbapcd toward the end with sns
Of flowers Of the color and shape Of the common gar
den sage below though much smaller between the eafand
the stalk u flowers in July and August and that Is the
proper time TO gather the herb II grows generally in wet
ground in the woods by the side Of ponds and streams
and best in shady spots The genuine article may be dis
ngushcd from other kinds BY The curl Of the small leaves
toward the top Of the main stalk The herb should be
gathered dried aud made into tea and takon every other
day two three Of II divided into several por
,-ErehoHes
The brig Crawford Of Machas, Captain Small left St
Johns river Florida the 18th instant and the 10th
inst Of Hstterns with fair wind discovered negro
board who had secrc'ed himself in the hold Capt Small
Immediately tackled ship, and off Cape Roman fell in with
Georgetown pilot boat TO whom he delivered him up.