The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-04-26
SECRET POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONS.

Holy Mary, Butts, there's knavery "-Shakspsare.
Under tyranncal governments, where the hand of OPP
preston is powerful enough to repress the first indications
Of resistance and where open combinations to hwart the
powers that be impossible concealed action the part
Of those who would vndicate their rights and assert the
nalenable privileges of eemen far from being repre-
hclsbe deserves the highest commendation But under
government where the rights of eemen secured to the
fullest extent where the freedom of the pressthe great
palladium Of liberty 6ercest opponent of yrannyis
fondy cherished where freedom Of speechhe great safe
guard of sound legislaons watched with
Jealous eyewe say under such government concealed
combinations and nrve political action not only dan
gerons to be averted and extpated at all hazards
for under free government such own clandestne
movements resorted unless their purposes be
subversive and dangerous unless their aims wicked
unless they threaten sap something dear to society
and consequently dare their fiery crests but skuk
in the dark retreats of delinquency.
We told there is such and factious organi-
zaion in very midst however astounding the fact
be the law abiding and worthy portion Of this commu
nitya factous combination, founded open creed
burt basng its wholly secret springs Of
.i..~ L~~--~ s.iy - i.e se,,,ers.
We are acquainted with Of the members OF this
fri erny. II may embrace respectable men among rs
MI mbcrs but how any Of standing, Of correct
notions Of dignity of character enroll himself under
standard is utterly incomprehensble to We
KIN ow nothing Of the purposes Of this faction Whether
they be pure and holy corrupt and nefarous painful
enigma ourselves But will any candid just
sid what a smouldering volcano Is beneath himwhat
fea ul capacity such faction has for the accomplishment
of the dangerous schemes At this late day when
sorship Of the press foreign to institutions and
odious nll~hen every individual of individuals
combined for whatever ends find mouthpiece in the
prrss-the OF organization such the
know Nothngs with principles stunning the light and
closely yelled in mystery well calculated spread dis
may awaken vigilance and put good citizen the
alert to discover and expose II to the world
IL the designs Of this society be praeworthy let them
forward from their obscure retreats Let them face
the scrutiny Of the world and II they under
that 1t Is clear their natures unwholesome and mis-
cevous Any honest cooperation among men TO secure
audabe and beneficial ends is 10 command respect
and sympathy with the world. On the other hand the
only alternative for cbals and dangerous corporations
far from public possible and work in
hs most surrcptitious Therefore when see
combination such the Know No,hngs" In a country so
free and community pure this il is natural for its
motives be suspected and for the endcavors Of good
to be directed to its eradication and subvcrsion Fellow
citizens IL rooted out and unless YOU be rocrean
your duty and blind your interests
win he rooted out and utterly undone
We the nstgators Of this faction that there are
sharp eyes upon them, and that II they do desis from
their schemes they viii certainly with just and con-
dign exposure and degradation. We would have the
Know Nothings" know this simple fact II II he not too
that moor
repble guardians Of the public rights who will
and untrng efforts frustrat and bring naugh all
that may threaten hem-mcn whose Of public duty
is no, yet swallowed up In the pursuits Of corruption
absorbed in the game Of political knavcry party macbi
nations 1t is such that the Know Nothngs7 to
dread, and IL Is such men whose scrutiny they least
eIude whose attacks they least parry
II there be have doubt there are any dupes
the Know Nothings advise tendcrly TO re-
Their cennexion with them they have time
Let not idle curiosity after what is and
nerercous delay them until their folly shall brought
implication and disgrace Such be pitied but
experience tells with emphasis that there hope for
them Therefore II the Know Notbngs' work compass
dangerous ends their secrecy and underhsnd
seem TO indicate the miserable dapc Of their knavery win
have 70 share a ignomny and degradation with
them
But cherish the hope that such combination viii
prove utterly abortve and that the tocsin Of its discovery
viii be the knel Of its extinction II Is incompatible with
our institutions however wei placed II might he under
Austrian espionage Fren,h censorship
But let nothing that has escaped ma he apped 10 those
charitable associations whose existence il blessing to so
ciey and who although known under variety Of names
have copmop and noble obect-the succor Of their
llowbengs The platforms of these sre known
to the world and nh their secrecy confined to the ints
ton cfmembersan object OF subordinate accessory
nature What do these societies present 10 that
one which has avowed principles Of action which courts
conceament and fears the light Of day because II would
disarm It's mslignancy and show its deformiticsi
ARIsTIDEs
The Buffalo Commercial Advertiser Of Saturday saws the
work the hydraulic canal Niagara Falls