Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1854-12-13
SECREI ORGANIZATIONS.

Perhaps The most lorclOe objection 10
political parties, as heretofore organized,
was the manner in which they selected
their candidates. Many honest men have
always felt a great reluctance in giving
their support 10 candidates thus presented
TO the public. In this county for instance,
when the Democrats have been steadily in
the majority, how often have we heard the
loudest appeals made to the members Of
our party, by the opposition, not to sup
port candidates selected by a few persons
assembled in County Convention. Give
us the volunteer system, said they-throw
the doors wide open-glve every man a
chance, and let the people choose from the
many whom they will have for officers
and down with your secret caucuSses, del.
egate meetings and packed Conventions
This is about the character Of the opposI.
lion we used 10 contend with. But it is
not little strange that many Of those
who used 10 manifest the greatest anxiety
about this system, and make the loudest
objections TO it, can now take up the Know
Nothing ticket, and vote it without why
or wherefore.
A brief comparison Of the delegate sys.
tenn, as practised by the Democratic party
in this county as well as Throughout; the
State and Union, with the practice Of
Know Nothngism, will show a wide con.
trast.
Public notice is always given inviting
the Democrats 10 meet in their respective
wards and townships on certain day and
hour. All are invited. A certain mum.
Der are then and there appointed to attend q
general County Convention When so met
several important considerations should
and generally do, control the conduct o.
the delegates. Their regard for the sue.
cess of the ticAet they may form, and
consequently the triumph Of the principles
Of their party, will generally induce then
to select tie best men. Ifthey fail in this
the result is most probably a defeat. AnC
why? Simply because those candidate:
have TO come before the people, and thei
merits and qualifications closely examined
and investigated by their iellow.ciizens
Mistakes are often made. But if so, il
nine cases out Of ten, the party suffers by
il, by being defeated at the ballot. box
Parties must, therefore, make good nomi
natons-selecI candidates whose charac
iers can bear the closest scrutiny, because
there is noJindiag obligation IN tie SLAP
Of an oath, to require party-man to yot
for the candidate of his party, if he canno
do so with clear conscience.
But how is it with Know. Nothingism
Their nominations are mado within th
walls Of their lodges--sometimes in tn
dead hours Of the night-wheroe every pro
ceeding is sealed with an oath of secrecy
At the late election Of this State, thousand
OF men who were not Know-Nolhings
were thus induced to vote for men whom
the never heard Of before, as well as il
other instances, for men whom they ha,
opposed all their lives and in some ofth
adjoining States, if not in this, instance
are numerous of members Of the orde
cheerIully casting their votes for Incl
whom they had never heard Of before, ant
Of whom they knew nothing whatever un
I'll the ticket, with their names, was place.
IN their hands. Thus it is clear that the
members of this order are not permitted
ihe privilege Of exercising their own rrc,
will, and voting for WHOM they please, a.
true Americans should do. Their oatJ
binds them 10 vote for The candidates pre-
sented by the order, and therefore /, i
useless for them to ask any questions
Merit, qualifications and character are al