The true Democrat., 1855-08-21

f3NNNiIt " RiNp W do 'tNNl icll G'ti 04iO' - pistol.
 A house on the cornerof Market and Chape streets was broken into and the lower room pll laged.
 X demonstration was made against the Time office. which did not amount to much, the bul ing of the sign and breaking of little glas beii z about the amount.
 Last night the city was quiet.
 Secrecy and Oaths of Know Moth
 ingisn.
 The Hon. A. H. Stephens has written ou for the Chronicle and Sentinel, speech deli vered by him at Appeling, on the 1lth ult., ol the occasion of dinner rendered him by th' citizens of Columbia county. It is mos powerful argument and elfec ective appeal to hi constituents, on the character of the new secre organization
 Mir. Stephens commences by an expression o confidence in the principles of our Republican institutions, as they were originally founded Departure from them, with the hope of getting something better, would be an evil hour These institutions he believed were in danger a the present time.
 l believe this secret political order of know nothings-with its great head-and affiliated societies all over the country-spreadiug as : spiders web from Main to Califomia--throw ing out its fatal meshes in every direction-con centrating vast amount of power-assuming the attributes of government-the power to tax and punish without limitation or resttiction- the power to settle by the National Council all political matters for the United States, and talk ing hold of the conscience of men-and swear ing them to yield implicit obedience to the mandates ofthe great Central head, even against their own free will, is the most dangerous and mlschievOus organization that has ever yet risen in this country. It is already an "Empeytuna a1l Empe,i0" A Government within the Govern meut. And when we come to consider the principles upon which its secret operations are based, the mischief and danger to be apprehend- ed from 1t are infinitely increased These prin- ciples 1 consider as in direct war against the fundamental principles of the Constitution of the United States, and if carried out will end in a total subversiOn of some of the great and most vital objects intended to be secured by that instrument-those objects which should be dear to every true hearted American.
 Mir. Stephens then proceeds to the analysis and discussion of the Constitution of the Cor der.'' Hequotes at length, formula, obligations 'iN iiltA ''o lb ID OdlcO Oll lllc Gllllu Qc3Iee- for this institution proceeds by degrees. It has its first degree. The first and second seem to be for the "workers,'' the third for the office holders, or office seekers-for all who hold of flee with them must be third degree men, The fourth degree, or fourth stepin the development of this organization has lot yet been taken, So far as outsiders know.
 But let us examine the first step. It is leap in the dark to all who take it; or, at least, it was at first and would have been to the present time, if accidel had not brought these things tC light. The object, originally, perfect se- CreSy. Each initiated member is sworn not to communicates, even to any candidate for admis- sion, anything about its principles, until he is brought to the book to swear to do, or not to do, something of which he has no information be- tore-Without a moments reflection upon the proprietv or improprety of taking the obliga tion. Now, why this secresy? Why entice and allure men--young men otten-into such a position, where they may take such solemn obligation, instantly, and without time to think of 't and consider of 1t? If freemem cannot be trusted-iftheir honor cannot be relied on-f an oath must be taken by them, to bind them to obey your bidding, as liege serfs are sworn by their naughty lords, whynot do it in public? Why be so private and secret about it? Does 1t not look as if the object was to take advan- tage of the unwary? What is the greatest boast as well as glory of an American? Is 1t nOtthat he IS freeman, and can and ought to vote as he pleaSes, according to the untrammeled dictates of his own judgment? Why not allow his judgment to be free until the last expiring hour of election day, if he so pleases? 1 have seen defence made in the papers of this secre- cy feature, and heard some made the other day upon the stump, which, l think, for the honor of the order it would have been better if they had never been made. These defences amount cd to this: That such was the tyranny of old parties, that the members of this thew order'' were compelled and driven to this course, as a matter of necessity. Does this speak well for the manlinesS and independent spirit of those men who constitute the order, and who set themselves up as such Americans as are entitled above all othes, to rule Amcrca?-men so ab- ject, Tn this free country, where every man can do IS he pleases, as to have it put forth, as a defence for them that they were afraid to avow their sentiments, and were driven into secrecy. compelled to hide from their fellow men, and made to take an oath hot to let it be known that they were ever in council? Is it so, that the party is composed of such men, so weak and fra in spirit, so timid and chicken-hea as
 
 ven-h hearted miscreants? 1 do not believe it. Ithnk better of them than their defenders do and well may most of them exclam, "save Us from our friends, if no better defence than this can be made for them or the secrecy feature. If that defence be well founded, bold set of Americans they would be to rule America, wouldn't they? Had represented the party as composed of such men, as it must be if this de fence be true, 1 should doubtless have been charged with having most outrageously abused them.
 The truth Is, the defence is only pretext. For this exposed it and denounced it. In this country no man having in view any good object Is afraid to speak his sentiments or avow them all know it, but the most shameless part of this preteXt is the tyranny of old parties What party on earth except this and that got up in Rome by Cateinc ever presumed to exercise overlts members the tyranny of sovereign over his subjects Tn requiring an oath of fealty and secrecy? 1 present these views simply Tor your calm consideration as intelligent free men,
 After discussing at length one of the peculiar oaths of the order, which, in the face of the Oohsututon imposes a religious test, Mr. Ste phens proceeds:
 but cannot dwell upon this first degree ob- ligatioh It would take an hour to expose the mlschevouS consequences that may be expect ed legitimately to flow from the practical opera ton of several parts of it. Such, for instance as that which swears every member of the party, in these words:
 You will, in all political matters, so far as this order is concerned, comply with the will ol the majority, though it may conflict with your own personal preference" etc.
 And again:
 You will not, under any circumstances expose the name of any member of this or der, nor reveal the existence of such an associa tion."
 Mark this language-"under any circumstan ces." Suppose public duty should demand o good citizen, ''unwittingiy" drawn into it, tc make known, not only the existence of such an association, but the vows of it's members would good men, with no objects but good ob- jects, ever want such protection against expo.