Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1855-06-20

endure the conviction of having done wrong,
than undergo the sentence of being read out in
eyery Lodge in these United States, as purju'
rer, and one with whom there could be no faith.
Take the history of secret societies fQy political
purposes, especially such as have declared in
themselves a power to punish for detection or
treason to them, ard you will there find the eyi.
denre of control over their members acquired
through the fear of punishment, greater than
the .yeriest despo. has ever known. And may l
not add, that in the enforcement Of that punish
ment, no human tribunals have eqnalled them
in the merciless exactions they make, or the
terrible cruelty with which they execute their
yengence.
But another objection, not less important than
that lust considered, is to be found in the fact,
that not only is the member, as we have seen,
withdrawn from his duty to the Sovereign, and
transferred to the control of the Grand Coun-
ell; but by the rules of this Order, in the dis.
cretion confided to him as to how far he will
admit q knowledge Of membership, either in
himself or others, control is attempted to be
exercised over the moral and religious obligation
which we all acknowledge to Truth, that cannot
be defended And in this, too appears the obli-
CATION of the member, clearly inconsistent with
the laws of the land. In the Court House he is
sworn to tell the truth-the whole truth-and
nothing but the truth. In the Lodge he is
sworn not to reveal or disclose the secrets OF
the Order; or the names Of his fellow members,
nor his own membership, if he shall consider it
for the interests of the Order not to do SO. AS
witness, he must swear to speak the truth: rs
n member of the Order, he must swear not to
disclose certain things, which, in Court OF
Justice he may be required to disclose. Which
of these oaths will he recognize? And If there
is possibility that he may consider the oath to
his Order more binding, then does, the Order
stand before the country, as attempting, whether
successfully or not, to pervert the truth; and IN
that, to destroy the proper administration OF
Justice, in the, constituted tribunals OF the
country. do not ask that any one should con-
slider this certain consequence: | only ask that
he should consider it t.possible; and then. if you
can reconcile the propriety of that position
which makes it possible, that citizen, in the
discharge of his duty rs a witness, in Court
Of Justice, may consider his obligation there to
speak the truth, inferior to the binding efficacy
of another obligation, undertaken in his Lodge,
| to withhold or suppress the truth.
So far rs have understood the objects pro-
posed by that combination which existed here
some wears ago, and was known as the Native
American Party, consider that great injustice
is done, when this O:der is said to be the same
as that. The principle of that Party was the
extension Of the Naturalization Laws. | do
not know that more than this was proposed or
desired. Now the mere proposition 10 extend
the period of naturalization, is | concede, a
matter of fair discussion. 1t was subject OF
fair discussion some years ago, when the Law
was passed, by which it was fixed at five years
!. it would be still subject of fair discussion,
whether that period should be retained, or in.
creased; and am prepared to do this justice to
the members of that Party, that do not see
how, in the entertainment Of their opinion, they
could. be considered as hostile to the nauralized
citizen may not agree with them rs to the
necessity for al alteration of the law; but
whether they are right or wrong, hostility to the
naturalized citizen can no more be predicated OF
their opinions on the question Of the Naturali'
cation Laws than of their opinions on the Ia.
riff, or Bank. They proposed no test certain.
ly, of religious character. They devised nc
| iuyidious distinctions between classes OF citl.
zens. A conscientious conviction might very
we'll lead paturalized citizen to concur with
them in the opinion they held, that the welfare
1s5 or wrong ~sfs buSne Ia ae IN
members of that Association gave not only pub
lication to their principles, but also to the
of their members. They did nothing in Sc
cret, for they had no purpose in secret tc
accomplish. What they proposed was mol
for themselves, but for the country. Thei
meetings were intended to secure public
measure, not to subserve private purpose
which, if made public, was certain of defeat
and could only succeed under cover of secrecy
1 differed with them; but believe that thei
motives Iwere pure and honorable; and thei
conduct proved them superior to the apprehen
sion of being in q minority.
They seemed to me then to have not suffi
ciently considered this matter; which, howeve
is as pertinent now, rs it was then. They be
lieved that the facilities afforded for naturaliza
tion were too great, and that the acquisition O.
citizenship at so easy rate, diminished its value
To enlarge the time Of probation was then by
them proposed as remedy. But it has neve
occurred 10 those who argue against the Natu
razation Laws as they now stand, 10 enquire
whether these laws arc bad; or whether it il
the administration of them which is bad. IF thu
making of n citizen is held to be high judcia
act-if the witnesses were to be produced il
open Court-if they felt that the same conse
quences would follow The commission of PERU
was made to see, and feel, in the circumstance
which surrounded him when he made his appli
cation, that the act he was about to undertake
was held to be of solemn and imposing kint
If he realized in all that he saw around him
the evidence of the change that he was making
in his own position-in one word, if the ceremo
ny of citizenship was properly performed
would not the effect be widely different, from
that which results from the loose and unques
toned manner in which this important duty is
performed? No oaths administered in Court
are attended with so little Of ceremony-so ut.
terly divested of all impressiveness-as those
whichare required in the making of a citizen
And if it's 80, that the true obligations Of citi
zenship are not appreciated, it would not be
surprising, that one should lightly estimate a
distinction, which is so carelessly and uncere.
moniously conferred. But reform all this-lct
the Judge who presides while citizen is made
be felt by the applicant as u Judge should be-
let the applicant realize that the oath is no shall
low form, but in case of its being not truly
taken, that certain punishment will ensue and
as part of that punishment infamous degrada-
tion-and is it supposing too mueh when we
say, that if the Officer appointed TO administer
the Law, would thus Indicate and maintain the
character Of the Law, that the same scenes
would not be attempted, which we are told so
often are enacted! At least, would it not be
well to try what would be the effect of whole
some administration Of the Law, before the Law
is condemned, rs vicious.
At much greater length, than intended when
commenced these Letters, have been led into
this attempt to discuss the objects and coHse-
quences Of this Order. A few words more, will