The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-01-05

II has been claimed in support OF the order that both OF
the old parties corrupt and that il necessary To
form new party purer principles and better material
An architect who should both of two buildings
which he had examined unsound and unsafe in structure
and detail would hardly be thought reliable II he should
attempt to construct another ede of the brick and stone
which he had just condemned useless and unworthy
Yet this order to form out of the corrupt
bers OF The Old parties society Of immaculate patriots
few q the old patsans get together and rate themselves
above reproach aud then adopt such other citizens
bers OF the old corrupt parties willing to unite in
asserting the knavery of all other men, and their own
purity. This Pharsaical assumption of superiority Is
worthy OF all rebuke ana contempt When weigh the
characters when ponder the course Of those under
stood 70 he Of this faith confess find little to NOR
tify my seliesteem or extort my admiration lind them
to be but other men having like inrmes ourselves
neither pIrer WISER patriotic than their fell
iow-cilisfps discover in them quite as much lust Of
place I'D poll, quite much resignation In allowing the
weghtM Office to be thrust upon themselves and to the
full ms much of partisan and uncharabe feeling Others
who affect less degree of exemption from the ordinary
raes of their race Those of this order supposed be
in this House must say, in all courtesy, cannot rank
whit above the average of their elowmembers in the
qualities of citizens legislators Secanonlzed saints
and sefeected patriots Of questionable stuff There is
spontaneous distus of the assumption that arrogates to
itself Benamins portion Of the stock Of human
virtue and excellence and the claim of mposers is
ally extensive in proportion us it Is groundless
In free gocrn,nen hold SIR, thai there isno right IA
portion f Me people, gheher minority majority 10
The commonwealth is the Joint product OF the thoughts
and wills of the people who compose it. They have rsked
their mutual interests in common venture Counsel and
service due from each to ALL Whatever pertains to the
benefit is the proper subject of mutual deibera-
ton The thoughts and reflection of each proper trb
TO the fund of knowledge and when contrib
ued and weighed the deliberate Judgment OF the society
becomes the rule OF action TO the member both to what
purposes Of good they shall pursue and how they
shall accomplish IT, as member OF society may Justly
expect its protection every right which the laws the
consultation give meproection not only against foreign
INVASION but also against domestic violence; against the
who assaults my person or wrests my property from
me but whit less against those who, by of
cret cabas midnight assemblages unnatural oahs, and
malicious combinations, would peril impair Or destroy
any of my civil political rights Society can only
protect me- only protect ITSELF against the effects Of
these secret political associations by extirpating them.
They the fruits and the offspring of revolutions they
the storm-brds that portend the tempest and make
orrble but putrd bodies which the thunder of anarchy
lifts from the deep in which they slumbered
All citizens think sir under obligations Of candor
and sincerity towards each other in matters political
think the very nature of free government requires it of
them The ballot of each is intended TO be secret
only far to protect him against violence any
due influence in preparing and casting it, This right to
absolute freedom in performing this high civil act Is not
clearer than the corresponding obligation of every other
refrain from every attempt to disturb opppress,
ntimdate him in the exercise of H. But when the ballot
put into the box it to be private act and
becomes part OF the public history. An attempt at
ceament provokes inquiry and ustes it. There can be
but two reasons for keeping vote secrethmdity we
think ourselves right shame and conscious guilt if
believe ourselves wrong And must be deficient in
of the better qualities of citizenship who is willing
assign either OF them as excuse for secret vote And the
motives that prompt the vote since he has right be inn
hy any bat those public good also sub
eets ia4uiry and tie roer be yseapd Du fsla4-
No secret his purpose
kindly avoid making preference between RI
val friends but felt his sefrespect lowered and that he
had not acted to the full dignity OF citizenship There
and there should be- penalty attached to the exercise
of the right of voting but the estimate which the public
attach to mans character according be is thought
have used his privilege well ILL., 1t ia simply item
going make up the aggregate Of character Nor should
there he a n
free countries the great mass OF men, being independent
in fact well name, will spurn concealmen in the
matter and do not know in all history, of than
nquisitoria attempt by an sr post aeo law to COM
the voter to declare for whom he had voted and this at
tempt tyrannca made not by foreigners who ig
of the genius of repubcanism might unconscious
have violated its principles by the old parties of the
country who immersed in seniy and corruption, might
be indifferent to the forms liberty but BY the conclave Of
patriots who assembled in New York as know-noth-
ing council representatives of those who to regenerae
Americas who mourning the decay of public spirit and
the corruption Of national virtue have by sesecoa and
the imposition q their hands, set themselves apart for
the work of reformation. have said and repeat it, that
think there is the strongest obligation among een be
open and candid in all political matters. Among slaves or
those who approach the seve condition though they
have the forms freedom secrecy to be expected But its
use is unwholesome regimen for the growth and nurture
of the manly virtues am sure, sir you would hardly be
willing to continue private partnershipand society has
often and not napty in many important respects been
kened 10 in which you know portion Of the part
had formed secret league in reference TO partnership
cphers grips of the hand passwords signs ofrecogniton
and all the machinery of secrecy by which the of dis
order have from time mmenorial guarded their schemes
against the peace and the welfare of society," you
would be justified in the suspicion that your rights were
very insecure and in taking prompt steps for their preser
vaton And yet we sir the people Of free country
told that there is political association in midst secret
the grave except when accident has betrayed it. and
nexorable in the prescription of all connected with it
If your rights safe from it to-day, will they be
morrow; from secret association TO be formed
week. II the right to create such is recognised how
be denied in future when other sms viii be seeking
their revenge Free governments controlled greatly
by precedeus and general rules, and If for temporary
purpose scanty good you abandon wholesome prin-
cpes you have broken down the most ehectua barriers
against desposm.
Public opinion is of the most efficient restraints on
human action The punhments OF this world seem, with
but many terrible than the reributou of that
which is come The criticism the of men often
restrains evidsposed persons and enlightened public
opinion guides and sustans the virtue of individuals We
find the action Of political parties is purest when it is most
under the public eye and the veil Of secrecy thrown
about it. there is eulpabe laxity Of conduct private
caucus though there obligation Of secrecy Is thought
less free from corruption than apubie convention Meetings
of which there record but the unsafe memory of those
present likely lie less udcious than those which
everything is recorded aud published railroad other
corporation directory which gives It's proceedings pub
city in twelyemonth is the subject of disust and
often falls into downright knayery. These things all
and know; and yet ii is maintained that ii is possible
for association secret irresponsible, its members
known and denying their connexon with U select its
candidates and elect them and control the government
Of great country without danger to the rights of The peo