Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-08-16
INDEPENDENCE, TEXAS, July "a, 1855.


| INDEPENDENCE, TEXAS, July o. 1885,
GENTLEMEN: Your letter of yesterdays date was
| presented TO me early in the afternoon At the
present time, | feel no hesitancy In expressing
my opinion in relation to the American Order. or
its principles. ! feel that my fellow-citzens, In
whose service have been so long engaged, are
entitled TO my views, which, in their opinion, NAV
! in any way affect the public interest At an earlier
period of the State canvass, it might have been
charged upon me, that was endeavoring to nhu.
ence the elections in State but as the election
is so near at hand, that my opinions cannot have
general circulation, cannot be charged with IL
reference.
You may rest assured that in relying on irny
can or and sincerity you will meet with no d,s,
| appointment. Owing to the heated state of the
public mind, the influence of federal patronage,
and the desperate efforts that are making TO
smother American sentiment and quiet the DIP.
heavings OF the American mind, expect to re.
! ceive full share Of vituperation and abuse A
belief too that the election in Virginia has straa
gled the efforts of the American people, in regain-
ing their legitimate rights and vindicatng theirin
herent principles, ia to my belief flllacons re-
gard the result Ia the Virginia election as highly
encouraging to the principles Of the Order. Th,
efforts used were OF the most Herculean and untir
ing order within the State, and aided and backed
BY the federal patronage. In party contest in
the State an interference on the part Of the fede.
raj administration would have been deemed an out
rage As Ii ia, the old orthodox State Of Virginia
has received and recognised the right of federal
interference in their State elections. The Democ
racy of Virginia viii yet awake 10 the proper ap.
probation OF the rights Of their Common wealth
and the extension Of federal power
In treating of subject which has been 40 gen.
orally and deliberately discussed az that of the
American Order, il would be difficult to present
anything original in the way Of argument--hence
my ai'n will be to offer my deductions and conch.
sions from the facts and arguments Of others. and
20 glance at the cause ofthe present excitement.
The movement | regard one growing out OF
great crisis in the affairs of nation and the pre-
cursor Of sound healthful, and vigorous nation
atty which will be commensurate TO solve and
carry out the great principles Of free government
and to prevent the liberties of the country from
being destroyed by the Vaccinations OF dema.
gogues and factionists, whilst they continue to
chant the Syrcn song of :" No danger" At the
same time they cry out, beware of the danger of
secret societies IL Is true that secret societies
have always been dangerous 10 despots and ~.
rants. They have even denounced and prescribed
Masonry The Pope, with other opponents, have
crushed the ancient order in their dominions. In
our own country we have seen its portals leading
into sacred temples for while closed and desert
ed. Secret societies wcro then denounced.
Thank heaven that cloud Of fanaticism, which for
a while oycrshadowcd 1t, has been dspeled by
the light Of reason, and still continues TO extend
the blessings Of its principles to thousands of d7.
consolate widows and orphans. The opponents Of
the American Order exclaim, il is a political ssso.
citation and, therefore, ought not 10 he secret
reply yes, it is secret, and its name denotes it,
objects IL it the first secret political society
which has been organized in the United Stslesy
II is as well known any other historical truth
that General Washington and many of his comp-
triots Of the Revolution we're members OF the Gin.
cunat Society, in which, If am not under misap.
prehension, no man ia eligible TO membership
even now unless he isa native American, since
the heroes who fought in the Revolution passed
off the stage Of life Was not this secret society
Was Il not purely politcalf Was not General
Washington, at the time OF his death, president OF
| this society! ] should really like TO know what
| the anti.Americans think OF this scrap Of history
| They cannot deny t.. Then will ask them, what
danger has grown out Of this secret political soce
ty? il this the only secret political society which
has existed in country for more than half
century? The Columbian 0rder--known rs the
Tammany Society, highly influential, maintains irs
existence without danger to the liberties Of thu
country.
General Jackson WAS a member Of this society
and know prominent statesmen throughout thc
nation, who are members Of it, and, az | myself
am one, and understand its principles, can assert
IUey are paITlOIc anu nhllOHhl. W say
ant. Americans to these facts
Can any sane man believe that General VAST.
ing;Gn, or General jackson, would have united
with any association, order, not purely Amer
cany Would either have entered into any polti.
cal league when secrecy was enioined, II he had
not approved of the principle Of secrecy in polti
cal associaiionsS From my knowledge of the
character Of Washington, the sacrifices he made
for his country, united with his fsryid patriot sn
ondb lie lor nyprything ms priran ITa
not doubt for one moment, If he were now living
he would cheerfhlly sanction the principles Of the
American Order. From my personal and familiar
knowledge OF the principles Of General Jackson,
am confident, that were he living, to counteract
the policy Of European poientates and statesmen
to throw upon our shores their refuse population
Of convicts and paupers to porvrrt cur ballot
boxes ard populate orr poor-hoEsea, he would
most cordially sanction and incnlcahe the princ
Piles Of the American Order. The instances which
] have given Of secret political associations arc moi
the only ones which have existed in our country,
and which have been, and continue to be, prar.
tsed by the two political parties. Are not secret
caucuses continually held by the political leaders
| Of both parties In Congress- 20, yes, Il will he
answered! every true but there IL necessity for
/ thil. We have 10 take Of our parties, to form
plans for the people to carry ont. And, five did
| not make platforms for them, they would not know
! how 10 vote upon important subjects" This ex.
plains much OF the opposition TO the present move
ment OF the people The action Of the American
Order is only the pulsaton Of the American heart,
viii forces liberty through the veins of the mass.
es, and will cansc them to reclaim that power and
influence which the arts Of demagogucs and
assumptions of "party leaders have appropriated
TO themselves and generally allowed the people to
! cast their votes in accordance with their caucus
decisions, whether secret or Open Should the
! American movement succeed, as il must, If our