The Feliciana Democrat. (Clinton, La.) 1855-186?, 1855-06-16
The Secrecy Of Know Nothingism.

What right have tho know nothings to keep secret
what they do respecting public aiairs2 Are mol
those who are not know nothngs," rs deeply con.
cerned, in the veal or Of the Republic. as they
are themselvess If there is anything good in what
they design to accomplish, let every body know IT,
and the greater will be the number Interested in Its
success. Secrecy in politics. is Incompatible with
free government Ours is government OF the mass
es whereas oil other governments, are OF the few
This is the great leading feature In our system, that
distinguishes Il from .unonarchies and dcspotisin.-
Here the people rule-there, kings and cmperors.
How are the people to rule with wisdom unless they
are fully informed, with regard to oil measures upon
which their verdict has to be passed. at the ballot
box, How Is II possible for them to know, and to
act undersandingly If everything is kept secret and
in the dark from all except those who belong to the
order and whose meetings are held in the night time,
and clandestively private. u4
There have always existed in this country, since
we took rank as nation, q party who distrusted
the capacity of the people, for sefgovernment, and
who thought it right and proper that the intelligent
few should govern and control the ignorant many.
That the end to be accomplished, justified the means
to he used in attaningit. That government should
take care Of the rich and wel-born and they would
take care Of the poor" Few persons could openly
avow such sentiments now, yet 1t is not to he doubt
ed that many entertain Them and no doubt from hon
est conviction. This very secrecy Of Know nothings,
is the means by which they expect to accomplish
their end. By it they expect the minority to rule
the majority, without responsibility to public opin-
ion. To gain power regardless of the will of the
people, is their great aim. To gain it by manage
ment and rickcry is their object. and determined
purpose. n such is not theI object. why do they
not throw Off the veil of secrecy. and come before
the world as party having confidence in its princi-
pies, and appealing fairly. openly and above board
to the people, In their behalf. If they are satisfied
with the truth, and correctness of their principles
and soundness Of their doctrines, one would thnl,
no other course would have been adopted The
know nothings either do not have confidence in their
principles or the intelligence of the people. to dis
Germ truth and their virtue and patriotism to sup
port it. They must know their principles will not
bear an open day examination or they distrust the
people. One of the two. or both conclusions is in
evitablc. Is such party worthy the support of a
free people? Is 1t possible for deIusion Ike know
nottingham, long to prevail while truth is left free
to combat error Shall the country be ruled by its
constituted authorities and the laws of the land or
by the irresponsible Grand Council. of Know Moth
ings," and the secret oaths edicts and ordersg Is
truth and reason justice and right to prevail in this
hitherto. happy country, or is craft, and cunning.
deception and fraud and violence and prescription
to be the order of the day?