The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1854-06-15
ON KNow-SoqillsGlssf.

I u puta teW years since the Anu-M MA
sonic Organization or pennsylvania found
its best friend and absorbing ally in the
Wing party, and hostility to secre, political
societies formed a parl Of the practical Wing
failt. Ifother small pstiies based on one idea
had not been IN The same mariner swallow.
ed up BY the Opposition parry Of the country,
we might have found some natural affinity
between the Conservative party of the re.
public and that small faction which was
very nervously afraid of those secret political
ASSOCIATIONS which were supposed 10 be
modelled after the revolutionary Jacobin
Clubs of France. ~
Conservatism Is afraid of every Thing.
which appeals 10 the mass Of The people,
and would excite, sgitaie or revou,ionlze.
The aristocats Of Europe have 'ir the past
century spent more ireasnre than would buy
a kingdom, and sacrificed more nien than
would be needed 70 defend a hundred hon.
est republics, TO prevent agitation aud Keep
in check Tie EIufbulent massesn
But in this day we litd thai the only Sc
cret political association which exists in the
Iepublis supfonst the candidates Of The Whig
party !! And nov that opposition which
was lately so boisierons against Free Ma.
sons, forms acongeniai alliance with the.
"Know-N -Nolhings' Bur his the fate Of an
Opposition party 10 be Inconsistent, for It's
province is not to captivate by the enuncia-
tion Of correct poliiicalS principles, .or he
wise and economical management of the
public business but TO oppose whatever may
be proposed aud whoever may be in power
It's prov incs is not TO create, 10 heautify or 10
erect; bui 10 deface, defame and destroy.
And as practice makes perfect, the long ex-
eroiseo Of the opposition has made It's follow.
ersproficiens in their vocation. An ADM n
istrative party rnusthave its policy and lis
principles, while an Opposition may be, and
most generally is, made up of discordant
elements, who agree only the one point of
opposing and would fail to pieces the mo-
ment II come into power and was required
to propose ana adopt measures Of public
policy. The Opposition then may lick 10
itself any faction or party, and ergo the
Know Noihings" ~
This association owes lis origen 70 Ned
Buntine and George Lippard, aud processes
no other than political purposes such, of
course, as we may suppose Them TO have
entertained, for il isserrst and we can only
judge the Tree by its fruit A secret associ-
alton like this has always 10 its novelty and
mystery an attraction 10 inexperienced young
men, and many enter it with out reflection,
aud without foreseeing The effect Of such a
slep upon their political views. Many 9TH
ers hear a great deal about fraternity and
brotherhood, and apprecia.ing these sleva-
ted sentiments with heart more warm Than
,he head is clear, form this new connection
without ever asking themselves what they
intend by it. g.
So far as IL character is developed this
association has not in it either the beaefi-
cial features Of Odd Fellowship or the high
moral and Intellectual purposes Of Masonry.
It's aim is only political, and in thai il is IL
liberal, suspicious and unrepublican, ~
II is illiberal because il proposes 10 mar
. row and restsict the rights Of suffrage and
eiaiibiEiiy 10 Office, and TO eopfine these
rights 10 q particular class Of citizens. asas
his suspicious, because i, marks for pro-
reription the class Of foieign born and Cath
oiic American citizens before they have as
such class given any cause 10 believe that
- ~ 4 Al. :. ~.