The daily union., 1854-11-28
THE SECRET ELEMENT OF THE SECRET PARTY
TO RE DISCARpED

TO BE DISCARDED.
Mr. Claytons last speech in favor of American party
in which with characteristic bodness and tact he crafty
remodels the whole creed of the know-nohings and
criy nsinuates that the party must be whig party
with whg measures and nothing else-takes distinct
ground against the element which is probably the
most binding tie of the present organization. We
perceive that this suggestion is without its friends and
shall not be surprised if it is shortly adopted by the
know nohings The New York True American, a leading
| organ of that order frankly admits that the secret
element must work injury to their cause and in imita-
ton of Mr. Clayton earnestly demands its instant repuda-
ton In the number of that paper of the 18th of Noyem
| Der we find the following article;
A the last hour the Inconvenience secret associations
must have become apparent every garbed
OF the proceedings OF meetings. fraudulent circulars, mua-
ted aidavits invariably perverted suit partisan purposes
were inserted in most of the leading journals basis
ignorant comment and every member American oci
eue faithful to his obligations debarred public
examination Of statements correction errors by feel
ing of honest pride Had Mr.. Ulman properly nomi-
mated by convention, composed Of popularity
known to the of the people be persons proby
and ability he would have poed thousands votes
over those by him received in this city, But as secret
caba invariably falls into the hands of schemng
the majority OF the population, unacquanted inter-
nal mysteries, naturally 10th honor their
tons with the spirit and enthusiasm they would bsow upon
the endorsement of individuals known to them
In the congressional election this dused
tion particularly felt and many persons sympathizing
with Amercanm left the ballotboxes ignorant the
relative merits of the candidates upon this all important
question Another consideration operated strongly against
Mr. ulman in his being particularly saddled with perfectly
obscure individuals make up the balance of the ticket
This gross and decisive in the nominations which
ever certain to defeat the party persisted practice
No single bear the burden
WHILE if the offices had been distributed equally men of
local as well as general reputation placed upon the State
ballot each would have cast sectional influence capable of
aiding in the general support the leading candidate The
very decisive question: who is ScroggsT ridiculous
appear to reasonable beings initiated against the Amer
ticket hundreds votes people in these read
ing times lack confidence in the unknown great it is an
error to foist them upon the community" . i
The first fact that appears in this article is that secret
political society in free government cannot last If
were not practical ignoring of the whole spirit of our
free nstitutonsif it not war with the open and
outspoken character of our citisens-t would be GER
tan in any country and much more certain in this to ex
cite among most of its members in short time a calling
sense of dependence upon oathbound majority, and
that sef-reproach which is avenge in every just
mind the preparation of clandesne wrong Hence it is
that when the know-nothings made their bond of r;o
secret pledge, pledges they committee a,a, mistake
es "r'uSeu against the searching criticis OF the
american press. They kent p many who would possibly
have joined hem had their creed been published in the
light Of day They allowed dissatisfied and disguised
men to go out and expose their dongs-thus as were
Offering premiums for seceders They encouraged among
themselves the very rivaries they affected put down out
side of their orde and bound each other to the painful
duty of carrying in their breasts of the ques
onable doings 1t to be expected that toned
menthat American citizers-could long submit to bear
such unenvabe responsibilities. BY this secret and mid
night plan democrats have constantly been out-voted
by and good of both the old parties have been
compelled to swallow nominations far far worse than any
which they have complained of in their former party
connexions We have doubt therefore, that Mr.. Clay
plans and the advice of the New York True American
in favor of open doors and public action is welcome
to many who eager escape the feers in which they
have unthnkingly bound themselves
The next useful fact that appears fa tine article the
New York True American is the ndspositon of that paper
to support ticket "saaled Nth perfectly obscure iniy
ais and this it regards great of Mr. Ulmans
defeat Here is valuable admission 1t proves that our
country cannot do without its experienced minds proves
that there is danger in striking down whig OF demo-
cra simply because he may have been active in politics. or
too often in tho public service But does the True
American know that of the understood causes of the
organization of the knownohing party elevate just
as now OF Does 1t know that the
secret order started to put men and new notions
into powcr Take the OF She election in Massachu-
SETS and observe pow such practsed legislators as the
venerable William Appleton, of Boston, have been COM
PEELED to give way charged with being utterly in
competent the stations which they have been chosen
And this must be hereafter long the DEGREES of
secret and oat-bound order submssvey registered
at the ballotboxes by countrymen.
rloro l,.I IL
which primary elections conducted by the two great
parties in this country Many of wsest statesmen
have deplored this growing evil In many cases bad
men have thus been nominated but the nominations
scrutiny and inquiry had free scope and both candidate
and voter shared wholesome responsibility Now it
would SEEM from the admission Of the New York True
American, that tbs know-nohing order primary
election Qfme most dangerous character Desperate men con-
troll it. They first pack the lodges with their adherens
then combine their friends upon unknown candidates and
afterwards compel decent and reputable by the force
of solemn OATH go the polls and endorse the voice
of clandesne majority These indeed extraordinary
facts and confessions and they well worthy al the Sc
rous reflection of the people whether in out Of these
lodges whether native foreignborn whether living in
the Nprtn the South the East or the West
We shall rejoice therefore, when this order throws
Off its dark disguise. Let its doctrines be good or bad
they deserve TO be investigated by the people and by the
press We charged with misrepresentng those doc