Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1854-09-06
From the 1vasaing,onu Union.
Secret Societies,

trated by Masonry and Odd-Fellow-
ship, and the latter BY Jacobinism in
France. and other like societies in Turkey
and other places in Europe, and by know
nothingismin tie United States. The one
class processes to administer charity, and
to protect and preserve the persons and
morals of its members, and the other
seeks to overthrow the institutions Of the
country and adopt others Of their
own creation. Notwithstanding the emf
nent names enrolled inits ranks, a single
act of violence committed in western New
York, some twenty-five years since, cs-
sentially DESTROYED there, and in Vermont,
Pennsylvania. and in' some other Of the
States, the good standing and influence Of
Masonry. Without regard to party pre-
collections or religious associations, the
outrage on Morgan aroused fierce and
indomitable feeling against Masonry. An
ti-Masonlc papers were started, and caudi.
dates nominated. Anti. Masonry triumph
ed in large sections Of country by the votes
OF both great political parties. But the
circle ofits influence was limited and the
principles of this new one idea party'
were too intolerant and unforgiving to
permit it to enlarge. The national re-
publican party (now whig) in New York.
under the guidance ofSeward. Weed. and
others, sought and secured the, aid ofthis
new combination to elevate the enemies of
democracy to power. BY little leger-
domain these two parties were. induced,
separately at first. and afterwards in COM
bination. to nominate the same candidates
for all offices. Seward and his compan-
rndA int
Anti Masonry and whiggery combined.
These skilful tacticians used anti Masonry
with success but where is the anti Ma
sonic party now Not one Of all who were
elevated by her influence is now willing
to own her fellowship. or write her cpl
taph. Masonry fourishes in all parts of
the Union. and anti Masonry is forgotten.
1t Originated in adherence to wrong and
hostility TO secret societies. though estab-
lished for charitable and moral purposes :;
1t received the embraces Of INSCRIPTIONS
politicians, and sunk to an early and OBJ
scure grave.
Ii the country was aroused by one act
OF cruelty, by a secret, moral. and CHART
able institution. what may he expected in
relation to those OF a political association
whose avowed objects are to operate
upon the government of the country. TO
control its Legislation. laws, and bu l.
ness. to prescribe and punish freedom of
opinion in religion. and to annihilate that
federation ofthought and liberty of action.
which lies at the foundation of our inSui-
tutions. secret political society in rur-
key is responsible for it's slaughtered thou
sands. France has been drluged in blood
by secret political associations. American
blood has been shed bv those existing
here for no cause hut difference Of opinion
and the accident Of Lirth- place while
our private schools have been the theatre
of prescription and intolerance. Even
helpless females have been thrust FRI III
their employment. and tie charge Of chill
dren they loved. merely because they
chose to worship their God. in free
country. according to the dictates OF their
own cOnRciences. These are few of the
consequences Of the secret political snci-
cites in this country. called know nothing<.
Are these things worthy of a great and
free people? Mr.. jeff rson said, error
might safely be tolerated. where reason
was left free to combat it. Reason is an
American weapon. and harms nothing
but error. We appeal to it in our bust
ness. and in all the worthy transactions of
life. Secrecy, in relation to public affairs
is only sought by those whose motives
and acts will not stand The test Of public
scrutiny. Is there any good cause why
en- American freeman. discussing our po-
litical affairs, should seek obscurity and
closed doors, and conceal his opinions and
acts Is one who does so really free and
independent ? Is he not. in fact, slave
to willy leaders. the prisoner of error, and
the dupe of fanatcsm ? A free man en-
forces his views by such arguments, rs he
thinks sustains them. and challenges
those who differ with him 10 answer, il
they can. Those whose acts or motives
lie arraigns have an opportunity for self
defence, if not Of rccriminatiOn. When
truth combats error, individuals are pro-
tected, and the public welfare is safe
All are'sentinels, all hear the watchword
and all rally to sustain the principles Of
Justice and freedom. But who is safe,
when the accusation, trial and conviction
are all in secret? Ought the destines Of
free America to be entrusted TO those
who conceal their motives and actions.
and who dare not submit either to the
calm consideration of the Judgment of
their neighbors. or the criticism Of the
public? Who knows what false charges
may be made in these secret gatherings,
what false testimony is given-what I'M.
sound arguments are urged, or unjust
and indefeaSiblc Judgments are rendered ?
Neither persons, character. nor country
are safe where these societies are tolera-
ted. An angel from Heaven migth not
be safe in the hands of such tribunal
II these societies receive popular con-
domination, as they surely will in time. in
proportion to the enormities of their often
ces. compared to that inAiced upon the
Masons for an offence, drplorcd by all, it
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