Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1854-09-13

! VINO WILL BE SAFE? Perhaps there is no prin
chile so vital to the civil and political liberty OF
people and none sacredly guarded IN the GRIMM
al jurisprudence of this country and of England
whence we derive it, than that no man shall be trec
and condemned unheard. 1t is common law, and the
common sense of mankind, that he upon whom his
fellow men sit in Judgment for an alleged CRIME
shall be confronted with his accuser, and allowed
to be heard in his defence. 1t would be unsafe Tor
any one in authority to advocate the abrogatlon OF
this doctrine. 1t is the safeguard OF all our rights
Without it, man in the community could feel
secure Legislation can not destroy it; for human
nature reserves it in the Bill of lnaenable Rights
In free Republic like this or in constitutional
monarchy like England the attempt, by government
to take away this inestimabe privilege OF the cltl
zen, would be the signal of revolution and blood
she'd
whenever the principle of cI5mmon justice has
been trampled under foot either by an established
government an irresponsible body of men, conse-
quences pregnant with terror, and cruelty, and OPP
preston have been sure to follow. The intelligent
reader of history will not ask to be referred to Illus
tration of this truth. They scattered all along
the bloodiest pages in the chronicles of crime.
The sangunary period of the French Revolution is
not alone in furnishing lessons how revolving and
dreadful arc the judgments of the unseen tribunal.
ButEthe memorable events connected with that fear
full chapter of the past not soon to be forgotten
In that day men guillotined who, till the mo
ment of DEATH had never dreamed of danger, and
who died, without knowing for what they were con-
demned. Power became vested in the secret socle-
ties of France; and how, in consequence, the land
was deuged with innocent blood, and fertllized by
the fostering of butchered citizens let the
heart sickcning record of those times tell.
The secret clubs Of Paris were organized in the
beginning, for good purpose. They were intend
ed to promote the general welfare. They were COM
posed of men favorable to the ofliberty. They
were stimulated and encouraged by mistaken patrl-
OTIS and for time their conduct not such as to
occasion alarm the friends of free 'om. But they
became powerful by secrecy, and found they held IN
their hands the lives and liberties of their tel-
lows. Men Of strong passion obtained control Fear,
hatred, malice and AMBITION were among the ele-
ments that directed their action. The horrors OF
their triumph need not be recounted.
The application of these facts from history will be
obvious. In this free country, have in midst
secret political organization of character similar
to the clubs by which RobeSpere exercised his
bloody despotsm. The Know-Nothing society
secret, mysterious, proscrptive, political organlZa
ton that is seeking to extend its branches over the
land should be regarded by all good citizens dan
gerous to the liberties of this country. If not
now they will, if possessed of power, become
engine Of evil in the hands of ambitious leaders
Their method is to strike in the dark-to lie con-
cealed while aiming the deadly weapon at the unsus
pcctng victim They seek to strike down class
of the community; to deprive one portion of the
people of their constitutional rights If successful,
will they rest there? If by conspring in secret
for conspirators they are-they can nulify law and
mark one religious creed for silent vengeance, what
is to prevent their taking step further and embra
cling another? Who will be safe from the DEGREES of
this star-chamber, nquistorial tribunal? Some who
now look with complacency its progreas, aid
in promoting its success, may themselves, in time,
be pointed out for the sacrifice. Jealous men who
devise such methods for obtaining undue advantages,
and sacrificing others, may themselves be made the
worst sufferers. Their own weapons may be turned
upon themselves.
Deadalus himself by his angry cries. when
expiring within the brazen bull of torture, made
to exhibit the admirable merits ofhis own invention
So this mysterious order formed for an unhoy pur-
pose, may not stop where its founders designed. 1t
may strike down the Catholic tomorrow and the
Unitarian the Presbyterian the next day. Its pro-
scription may only be limited by its power and in
;linaton. If it succeeds, let be certain of
ais own safety. Pittsburgh Union.