Demoine courier., 1855-09-06

days date vas presented, 10 me early In
the afternoon. A, the presen, lime,
feel 40 h~esitancy in expressing my OPT
nion in relation to the American Order.
or its principles. feel that my fellow
citizens. in whose service | have been 50
long engaged, are entitled 10 my views,
which may. in their opinion, in any way.
affect the public interest. Al an earlier
period of the State canvass, il nigh, have
been charged upon me tina, | was en-
deavorirg to influence the elections in
our Stale; but, as the election is so near
at hand that my opinion cannot have
general circulation, I caano, be charged
with interference.
You may rest assured that. in relying
on MY candof and sincerity. you will
nee. with no disappointment. Owing
10 he heated state Of the public mind. the
i ~fluence OF Federal patronage, and the
desp rate efforts which are making to
smother American sentiment, and quiet
the nph, avings Of The American mind,
| expect to receive a fhl. share OF viiup
era'i n and ahuse. A belief, too. that
the e,ec ion in Virgins has s~trangled the
efforts Of ne American people in regain
irg their legitimate tights and vindicating
their inherent, principles. is. to my belief.
fallacipus | regard tbs result, in the
virginia election as highly encouraging
10 he principles OF the Order. The IF
! fur,s used within that STATE were Of the
most heTeu'ean and u~s,iring order, aided
and backed by Federal patronage. In
a party on'est in the Stale. an Interior
ence on the part Of the Federal AID Minis
,ra.ion would have been deemed an out
rage. As 1t is. The old orthodox Shie
Of Virginia has received and recognised
he right Of Federal interference in their
Sta'e elections. The Democracy nf Vr.
gina will ct awake to the proper ap-
! probation Il the rights OF their commen
wealth and The extension Of Federal pow
er.
In treating OF 4 suhjeel VII CHI has eren
so generally ana elabor ateiy discussed ;s
,ha, Of the American Order, i, would Re
difficult to present anything original in
he way of argumeu'; hence, my aim will
be, TO offer ms deductions and couclusi-
ons from The facts and argLme iiis of 9th
.rs. and to glance al The causes which
have q, en rise 10 HE presen, excitement.
The increment regard as one growing
uu. Of a great crisis IN the affairs Of our
nation, and lie precursor Of a sound.
health!ul and vigorous nationality, which
will be commensurate 10 solve and carry
oui the great principles OF free govern.
nen', ard 10 prevent The liberties Of the
coun,ry ftom being destroyed by the
marhina.ions Of demagogues and faction
ists, VIII III hey continue TO chant The
Syren song Of mo dapger!' a, ihe'same
time they cry out "beware of the danger
OF secret socieiies!' Il is true that secret
socie,ies have always been dangerous TO
despois and ,yrants. Tn, y have even
d .nounced and prescribed Masonry =
The Pope, with other pnteHtaies have
crushed the ancient Order in their domi
Lions. In our own country, we have
seen the portals leading into its sacret
temple for awhile closed and deserted.
Secret societies we're then denounced.
Thank heaven. that cloud Of fana,icism
which for awhile overshadowed II, has
ben Gispelled by the light Of reason, aud
j, sill continues 10 extend the blessings
Of It's principles TO thousands Of discon-
ISOLATE willows and orphans. The op.
poi enis Of the American Order exc'aim,
|; is a political association, and therefore
ought 40. to be secret!
reply, YES. i, is secret, and its name
denotes its objects. Il is The frat score,
political society which has been organ
lied in the United States! l. lie as well
known as any other historical truth, Ina,
Gen. Washington aud many Of his com
patriots OF the revolution were members
Of the Cincinnati Society. in which, i'll
am not under misrepresentation, 70 man
is eligible 10 membership. even now, m
less he is a nstive. American. since the
heroes who fought in the resolution pas
std off The stage of life. Vas o this
a secret socleiy? Was j. no, purely po-
~liical! Was nof Gen. Washington, at
the lime Of his cealh, presiden, OF this
secieys ! should really like to know
what the Anti American think Of this
scrap Of history. They canno, deny il.
Then, | will ask them. wha, danger has
grown on, OF this secre, political society!
lsthis the emily secrect political society
which has existed in our country for
mere than half a century? The Column
bia order-knowE as the Tammany So
cieiy, highly influential, maintains its
e~xis,ance wi,hou: danger to The liberties
of the country.
Gen. Jackson was a member Of this
society, and know prominent Statesmen
throughout the nation who are members
Of il. and as myself am one. and under
stand Its principles. l can assert they
are patriotic and national. VIVA, say
the Anti Americans 10 these fac,sf
Can any san man believe that Gen
Washington or Gen. Jackson would
have united with any association or or
der not purely American! Would either
have entered into any political league,
when secrecy was enjoined. if he had
not approved Of tho principle Of secrecy
in political associations! From my
knowledge Of The character Of Washing
ton, the sacriaces he made FOR his coun.