The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-10-08
{" STARTLING EXPOSURES" OF THE KNOW MOTH


INGs IN PHILADELPHIA.
The Pennsy of the 9th inst contains -four columns
under the head of startling exposures Of the proceedings
of the Grand Council of Know-Nothings which met on
Tuesday and Wednesday last in the city of Philadelphia
From the account published in the Pennsylvania we
gather the following:
The number of delegates present representing every por
ton of the State 652 five of whom, however were
permitted TO take seats.
Mr. Tiffany the president addressed the council in effect
that he was exceedingly sensitive about the proceedings be-
coming known or published So much had already been
given in the columns OF the Philadelphia Pennsylvania
make it absolutely necessary that every precauton be
taken prevent similar result He was free to confess
that if the proceedings of the present council should get
into the papers he would withdraw from the order
He stated that he professor in the college at
Carlisle and he felt that it would do him serious
injury if it should be known he belonged to such a
secret organization He also stated that in the event
of publicity all his friends would retire with him.
That already had the people become alarmed at the dam
gerous tendency of secret organization like this and it
all important that we should throw binding
guards around secrets not only for the purpose of
king the election Of candidates, bat TO protect
selves from any odium which might attach to if
names should be exposed He said that he for one
unwilling incur the risk of such exposures No one
doubt that the vigilance of the has done
much destroy u.s. and further the part of that
paper will be most fatal blow to our objects
Mr. Nicholas Thorne of this city, agreed with the pres
dent in reference to the publication of the proceedings He
would have nothing do with the order any If such
occurrence took place
statement was then made ms regards the number OF
lodges in the State 1t appears that there G35 contain
ing 900 MISUNDERSTOOD in good standing that most
of the members wings and that such democrats as
were in the order were becoming alarmed and either
leaving being expelled that within the last two weeks
there have been 10000 designations and explosions that
there $4,000 democrats the order the
entire State many of whom it feared would resign
be expelled before the day of the election.
The whole number of the order in the city of Philade
phia stated to be 10000.
WAS been ey-
PEELED from the order in this city within the last days
The president reported that large majority of the order
were wings.
delegate stated that weeks ago there 1900
members in the city of Philadelphia but that numbers
greatly reduced 1t stated in the convention that the
Pennsylvania had already published the names Of the
principal members in this city, and also that six hundred
members of police force belonged to the order They
instructed to keep dilgent watch the polls and
TO destroy all the democratic tickets they possibly
discussion then arose in reference to the imminent
danger Of exposure of the proceedings of the council 1t
declared that its proceedings were made public many
of the members would be obliged in accordance
with their old political anites ward off suspicion The
opinion stated and generally concurred in that gler
will have $4,000 majority in the State The given
for this that the wing party throughout the State is
dsorganzed and that nearly all the democrats who have
joined the lodges finding it incumbent upon them in
pance with their oahs to vote for Pollock, have with
drawn.
resolution then passed appointing committees to
visit subordinate lodges for the purpose Of giving the pres
ident of each lodge the new signs and passwords.
Resolced That every member before he can obtain the
new signs and password make oath that he will support
the ticket which has been adopted by the State council
whether he be wing, native, or democrat
And it was
Resolred That all members refusing to do so should be
expelled
The graI~ council, by general consent acknowledged
the correctness OF the statements published in the Pennsy
vanan in regard to the working Of the order The pre
dent of the council stated that from Information received
the exposure of the grand council of the United State. was
made through the folly of member from Indianapolis In
diana, who had been to New York attend the national
convention of the order and his way home in passing
through Philadelphia he got intoxicated and while IN that
the documents stolen from him by mnion
Of the BeI42yiyanian.
During the tGngs of this convention the president read
circular letter addressed to ths authorities possessing
stitliona and competent jurisdiction, &C. We Publish be
low the letter entre
The authorities possessing constitutional and competent Juris
dction and the su6ecmaner an his missre 10 he
Brothers Of No. ----, noe holding session at ---r
greeting.
BROTHERS. a. becomes duty address you the
subject of alleged violation Of the sacred mysteries of
order attempted in certain Journals Of this city
We are however, grateful to the Providence which still
keeps watch over our birhsland and ward over her
BANDED PROTECTORS, for the privilege of congratu-
ating you that the perfdy of the effort deliberate
and the purpose deadly.
The attempt however merits our attention as proving
two facts Of deep import and interest to us and to our
cause, viz:
lSt jhat the aroused AeepesS
Loyoathe foes of God of man. and Of ibertytas been
directed against u.s. Every means however atrocious Will
be adopted and the spirit which has enchanted the world
and washed its letters gore will be the alert TO dis
your Secrets 70 thwart your action and to destroy
your fortune your reputation, and f ii may be done in
coward security your life Against ibis hostility already
manifested the word of brokerlY caution. The
foe up; and hour for americans 10 slumbeTf
And secondly would call your attention to the fact
that the power of our foes consists in security; and that
We mist, if we hope to country, maintain Nh
equal advantage of secrecy Their principles though in
Can it be that AMEaIcAYs BANDED IN TIE JOLlEST
OF ALL HUMAN EFFORTS AND BOUND By THE
MOST AWFUL OF ALL HUMAN OBL1GATLQES, ARE
LESS ENTITLED TO CONFIDENCE2 We would wel
death before degrading doubt Of American faith
and American honor And yet it is apparent that
treason folly Zone well-ngh criminal the other
has exposed the order to outrage and TO peril Brothers
let that peril while it discoses the assassnke vigilance
of our foes the mdnha and their omnipoen control of
the base Whether of the people the press summon you
to equal watchuness and greater vigo Let it teach
ton, the most crcumspec in the government of your
selves and guardian vigilance in observance Of the
duct and conversation of your brothers; for, wheeler
weakness wickedneS renders who mistakes himself
for traitor that brother shares the treason who
fails to disclose it. And let the presence of enemy
the field stimulate you to sterner alacrty in the service
The music Of dying balls has been the Americans
choicest repeHe II should be Our foreign foe has
through corrupt press, the first fire. We thank him
for the invitation But ours will God willing be he tact
The main object of this missye however, is to convey
with the candor of patriot brothers of the soldiers
OF American liberty the nunctions which the occasions de-
mands.'
lst WHILE WE ASSURE YOU THAT THIS EX-
POSTURE INVOLVES A SERIOUS DISADVANTAGES
TO THE ORDER WE COUNSEL YOU TO AVOID UN-
PROFITABLE CONVERSATION IN REGARD TO IT
BEYOND OUR WALLS AND TO MEET COMMENTS
an I.rN