The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1854-05-03
Secret Political Organization.

Every now and then, says the Washington Union,
we see in the Nsrthsrn and Southern papers ssssr-
tons that there is powerful organisation on loot
TO revive the principles Of the native American par
ty. Every organization which adopts FSiseiftx
as is creed is entitled TO respect and there is no
csnsure among rational men adapted to honest oP-
position, other than one which fairly combats the
argument upon which that organization may rely.
But If We may determine, from the working OF the
party 10 which we have alluded, the true theory OF
its motive and construction, it does not afford any
substantial ground for combating its basis, and Is
pregna II with evils which think every calm os'
server will easily determine for himssf
A secret political society is in itself m unmiKed
mischief. Our very constitution is not so firmly
rooted TO the soil but that this process Of under
mining is dangerous 10 its stability tor, 1t public
opinion and the action OF leading men justify the idea
that it is right to combine, under the sanction OF an
obligation to secrecy, to maintain policy which
its members may deem best suited TO preserve the
elements ofour government, we cannot tell at hat
time others may secretly unite 10 enforce their own
theories, which may radically differ from the propo
sitions held by the native Americans In the inter-
yening period we shall behold spectacle which
has never yet disgraced our political history With
constitution that allows Of and encourages the
freest discussions with the unceasng right Of appeal
in individuals, well as parties, to the people,
which is the grandest and mightsst tribunal ever
opened to the intellee; OF man, with system tha
holds il no treason, but duty; 10 strain and iHves-
tigste the conduct Of government, no less than
the operation of the laws what shall be thought OF
meetings, which, like the VEHYE- GEMcRr, Of Ger
many, the thousand secret associations OF modern
Italy retire from the open day to execute hsir pur
poses in darkness and seolusion'
Our word of warning upon this subject is address,
ID not to leaders, but to followers. Wa can under.
stand the selfish purposes Of personal ambition which
induce few desperate to avail themselves Of To-
cal divisions or tbs preIudicas Of nationality. But
Of the followers take hssd OF what they do ta al-
vance such ends. II they combine against those
who have been formally naturaliz3t by law, 10 pre-
vent them from btaiuing that place or power TO
which they have an equal right with any to aspire,
they are seeking virtually to nuiy the constitution
ITSELF nay morethoy actively assisting to about
the segregation of the forsignborn citizens into
community separate in feeling and political inter-
est5 AheS aTS tRCltluS aIlHosl'4dS III VIC minus
Of such, even while they are unable to prevent the
use of franchise equal to their own. They arc
seeking to set apart and brand as Heots, men whom
every consideration of expectancy, no less than ol
justice, require that they should at once amalga-
mate with the mass Of the community, in order tina;
their feelings impulses AM charcter may, rapid
ly aspos9ibe conform to those Of the aggregate
! Ths dangers Of whi:h we are warmed, ii they ex'
/ ist, have been created by the ihju1icious course
which seems now more boldly pursued than ever
No honest man will ever hesitate to meet the dis
cu5sion upon the subject Of our naturalization laws
if the question ia ever again raised in Congress -
But when these roformers manifest no intention tc
discuss it, whsrs only its discussion avail any
thing, it's agitation other walksis uum1od aRc
dangerous evil.