Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1855-08-18

front to maintain the doctrines Of frater.
nal equality, and establish on asyet firm
er and wider basis, systems Of SOUND
policy, popular rights, rights of citizen
ship, Constitutional limitations and uni
versal education, all of which are in
volyed in this, our great problem Of hui
manity.
s'Our proposition then, in fine, is
TnE UNION or DEmooRATs AND Wines
FoRrilE SAKE OF THE UNION Pass the
watch-words there is no time for delay. .
SECRECY AND oATIIs OF KNOW
NOTHlNG fSlz.
The Hon. A. II. Stephens has written
out for the Chronicle and Sentinel. a
speech delivered by him at Appling, on
the 14th Of July, on the occasion Of a
dinner rendered him by the citizens Of
Columbia county. 1t lisa most powerful
argument and effective appeal to his con-
stituents, on the character of the new Sc
cret organization,
Mr. Stephens commences by an OK
preston Of confidence in the principles
Of our Republican institutions, as they
were originally founded. Departure from
them, with the hope ofgetting something
better, would be an evil hour. These
institutions he believed were in danger
at the present time.
| believe this secret political Order of
Know Nothings with its great head
and affiliated societies all over the coun-
spreading as spiders web from
Maine to California throwing out its fa-
tai meshesin every direction concentrate
ing vast amount Of power--assuming
the attributes of government the power
to settle by the National Council all po-
litical matters for fhe United States, and
taking hold Of the eonseienccs Of men
and swearing them 70 yield implicit ODE
dience to the mandates Of the Central
Head, even against their own free viii,
is the most dangerous and mischievous
organization that has ever yet arisen in
this country. 1t is already an A." Eatpe-
rim IN Einperio." A Government
within the Government. And when We
come to consider the principles upon
which its secret operations are based, the
mischief and danger to be apprehendcd
from it is infinitely increased These
principles | consider as in direct war
against the fundamental principles Of the
Constitution Of the United States, and il
carried out will end in total subvcrsion
Of some ef tho .cTcat and most vital OBJ
jects which should DO dear to every true
hearted American.
Mr.. Stephens then proceeds to the ana
lysis and discussion of the Constitution
Of the "order." He quotes at length,
formula, obligations and ritual as it is
called, on the third degrec--for this in
stitution proceeds by degree. The first
and second seem 10 be Tor workers Inc
third for Che office-hoders, or ollicc-scek-
ers--forall who hold Office with them must
be third degree men. The fourth degree,
or fourth Step in the deyelopement Of
this organization, has not yet been taken,
50 far as outsiders know.
But let US examine this first step. II
is leap in the dark to all who take il;
or, at least, it was at first, and would
have been to the present time, X accident
had not brought these things to light
The object, originally was perfect secre-
sy. Each initiated member is sworn not
to communicate, even TO any candidate
for admission, any thing about its princi-
pies, until he is brought to the book to
swear to do, something Of which he has
no information before--without a mo-
ments thought or reflection upon the
propriety Of taking the obligation. -
Now, why this secrcsy2 Why cntice
and allure men-young men often--into
such a position, where they may take
such solemn obligation, instantly, and
without time to think Of it, and consider
Of it2 If frcemen cannot be entrusted
If their honor be relied on--if nm oatii
must be taken by them, to bind them to
obey your bidding, as licgc serfs are
sworn by their naughty lords, why not
do it in public? Why be soprivate and
secret about it? Does It not look as If
the object was to take advantage of the
unwary? What is the greatest boast, as
well as glory Of an American? Is IL not
that he is freeman, and can and ought
to vote as he plcases, according to the
untramneiled dictates Of his own judg-
ment? Why not allow his Judgment to
be free until tic last expiring hour Of
election day, if he 50 pleascs? have
seen dcfcnccs made in the papers, Of this
secrecy feature, and heard some made
4 the other day, upon the stump, which,
/ think, for the honor Of the Order, il
would have been bettcrif they had never
I been made.
These defencos amOuntto thisl That
such was the tyrany Of old parties, that
tho members Of the "new Order" were
compelled and driven to this course, az a
matter Of necessity. Docs this speak
well for the manlincss and independent
spirit Of those men who constitute Che
Order, and who set thcmselyesup az such
Americans al are entitled, above alloth-
crs, 10 ruic huwricit :--ineii 20 ;sl;iiseccs il
this free country, whore every man can
do as he pleascs, as % have i put forth,
as defence for them, tlint they were
afraid 10 ayow thcif sentiments, and were
driven into secrecy !--comppllcd to hide
from their fellow-mQn, and made to take
on oath not 10 let it be known tIiat they
were ever in council Is It So that the
I party Is composed Of such mcn. 50 weak
and 'fuil in spirit, 10 timii and chicken
hearted, az tliis defence represents them
Z. 70 be g--.such craven hearted iniacreantsg