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

q m SECRET SOCIETIES.
Secret societies are of two understandable and
companions BILE, and political and revolutionary Inc
former are illustrated 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 Nothingism in the Unlteo
States. The class processes to administer char-
ty and protect and preserve the persons and NOR
as of its members and the other seek to oYerthr0W
the institutions of the country and adopt others Oh
their own creation. Notwithstanding the eminent
enrolled in its ranks single act OF Vloience
committed in western New York, some twenty-five
years SINCE essentially destroyed there, ana IN YER
mont, Pennsylvania, and in some other States, the
good standing and influence of Masonry. without
regard to party predictions religious associations,
the outrage upon Morgan aroused fierce and IN
domitablc feeling against Masonry. AntI-Masonlc
papers were started, and candidates nominated
An:-Masonry triumphed in large sections of coun-
try by the votes of both great political parties. But
the circle of its influence limited, and the Prln-
ciples of this "one-idea party were too noier-
ant and unforgiyns to permit it to enlarge Inc ma
tional republican party now Whigl IN New York
under the guidance of Seward, weed ana o'hers,
sought and secured the aid of this new combination
to elevate the enemies of Democracy to power by
little ledgerdeman these two parties were induced,
separately at first and afterwards in combination to
nominate the same candidates for all Offices. Seward
and his companions rode into position and power up
on ant-Masonry and Whiggery combined. These
skilful tacticians used ant-Masonry with success;
but where is the anti Masonic party now Not one
ling to own her fellowship, or write her epltaph;
Masonry fourishes in all parts of the Union, ana
anti-Masonry forgotten. 1t originated In an abhor-
renee of wrong and hostility to secret socletles,
though established for charitable and moral purpo-
ses; it received the embraces of INSCRIPTIONS pol
itcians, and sunk to early and obscure grave.
IF the country was aroused by one act of cruelty
by secret, charitable and moral institution, WtaI
NAV be expected in relation to those OF q pontlcal
association whose avowed objects are to operate up
on the government of the country, to control It's
isation laws, and business, to prescribe ana PUNISH
freedom of opinion in religion, and to annhliae tnat
liberation in thought and liberty OF action Whlcn
lays at the foundation of our institutions! secret
political society is responsible for its slaughtered
thousands France has been defuged IN blood oy Sc
cre political associations. American blood mas oeeh
shed by those existing here for cause but differ
ences of opinion and the accident OF birth place.
while our private schools have been the theatre OF
prescription and intolerance. Even helpless 1enaies
have been thrust from their employment, and the
charge of children they loved, merely because tney
chose worship their God, in free country accor-
ding to the dictates of their consciences These are
but few of the consequences of the secret poltica
societies in this country called Know Nothings: Are
these things worthy of great and Tree people! Mr.
Jefferson said mg ht safely be tolerated where
reason left free to combat it. Reason Is an Amer
lean weapon and harms nothing but error. We APP
pealed to reason when we published the Declaration
of Independence. We appealed to 1t IN adopting our
Constitution and in making our laws, and we appear
to it when seek notifications OF either IL Is the
it in our business and in all 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 goou
cause why American freeman, discussing our pub
lie 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 tact
slave to willy leaders, the prisoner OF error ana the
dupe of fanaticism? freeman enfcrces his views
by using such arguments as he thin KS sustans then
and challenges those who differ from him to answer,
if they Those whose acts or motives ne arragns
havean opportunity for Selfd"ence II not OF recrl
mination. When truth copabats error, individuals
protected and the pubic welfare is safe All are
sentinels, all hear the vatchword, and all rally to
sustain justice and freedom But who is safe when the
accusation trial ead conviction are all IN secret!
Ought the destes of free America to be intrusted to
those who conceal their motives and actions, and who
dare not submit either to the calm consideration OF
the judgment of their ncighborS or the criticisms OF
the public? Who knows what false charges are
made in these secret gatherings-what false testmo
ny is given-what unsound arguments are urged, or
unjust and indefensible judgments are rendered!
Neither person. character country are safe where
these societies are tolerated An angel from Heaven
might not be safe in the hands of such tribunal Ii
these societies receive popular condemnation as
they surely will in time, in proportonto the enorm
ties of their offences, compared to that inflicted up
on the MasonS for an offence deplOred by all, 1t
will be a severe reproach to charge man with
membership. 1t will be stigma which all will wish
to wipe off Freedom and Secret tyranny cannot live
together. Let us those who unwttingly
drawn into these secret cabas to remember the fate
of anti Masonry. None so poor to do her |
reverence and none afectionate in the remember
to place stone at her grave. The same po-
litical party that attered and caoed antiMasonry,
by calling down anathemas upon all secret societies,
is warming know nothingism into active exis
tence The Inconsistency of its position-frst de- |
nouncing, and now applaudng, secret societies. is |
barrier to its action TO very great extent the
same men who denounced Masonry, and fought Ma |
with demons fierceness, are the leaders !
of these secret gatherings The Wing party |
proted by the fall of secret society, while it
now endeavors to rise by appauding and warming |
an INSCRIPTIONS political one into life. Its members
will find as Ant-Masonry did, that its touch is
fatal than the shade of the Bohon upas. Whiggery
will use them, and cast them off when they
longer subserve their purposes, they have
~ ism that has sprung up An American, who
is mana freeman-who is not afraid of day
light nor facts, arguments-wl
render his liberty of speech and action at the bid
ding of Others be made their tool to destroy
putaton, to punish freedom of action, thought and
religion nor seek to change system by secret
even "shady" conduct; bat, like the righteous, he
will be bold as on and act and talk open and free
like man who believes he is entirely in the right
Washington Union.
PROSPECT OF CROP. We are fully persuaded
that there is much more apprehension expressed a.
bout deficiency in the grain crops of the season
than is well founded. There has been more than an