American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1855-04-19
rFor ,he. Lancaster GnEe,iol
E.ibertr Township, April rs, Iss5


T. S. SLAUGHTER, Esq.-As there is no
longer doubt about the existence ofa Sc
cret organization in your place known by
the name of ''Sag Nicht" whose members
have been soliciting Democrats and Wings
of the country to join, l wish through your
paper to give my opinion of a set of men
claiming to be Democrats who can engage
in such secret plotting to unite Wings,
Catholics, and demagogues under the sa-
cred garb of democracy.
When we were warned in the Ohio Ea-
gle, last fail of the danger of. secret politi-
cal organizations, had little thought that
SO soon, that same sheet would lend its in
fuence to encourage such societies by ex
ulting over .Sag NIGHTS" victories and
boasling about the rapid spread of the or
der. | did not suppose. when l was as
sured through the columns of the Eagle
some weeks since, that there was "no Sach
order in Lancaster, and if there mas il cds
a 6ranca Qfths RnoW -Vothings, that these
same editors were the leaders and getters
up OF a combination composed chiefly of
dishonest, trucking, time serving dema-,
gogues, few German and Irish Catholics,
and in short the fag ends and dregs Of So
ciety, save the few honest men who have
been decoyed in, Under the false pretence
its being a reorganization and closer un-
ion of the democratic party. But recent
developments convince me that my conf
dence in the honesty Of the editors Of the
Eagle, in those declarations was misplaced,
ana therefore deem it duty which l
owe to my democratic friends of "old Fair
ljSeld," and the honest mem fall parties to
warn them to beware of such men--to
guard with watchful eye against tho Sc
cret piottings of such deceivers. ] feel
that my confidence has been abused and
tthcre are many other democrats in this
part Of the county who feel Just as do
have always been ready and willing to do
battle under the democratic banner; have
been voter for many years, and have yet
to cast my first vote for whig for any
thing higher than atownsbp Office
have always regarded the democratic creed
as sufficiently liberal toward all seeis aud
creeds; still regard it so; but when a
tclique Of corrupt men will abandon the
name Of democracy and abuse the princi-
pies of the party by inducing foreigners to
believe that their rights are about to be
tramped under foot and their liberties for
ever taken FROM them, and intice them to
acts of violence and desperation merely tc
secure their votes, think it high time fol
all honest mon and MI well wishers Of oul
beloved republic to discomitenance such Q
cause and place mark Of condemnation
upon such conduct.
That the editors OF the Eagle and tho
clan Of hangers on, commonlyknown as the
"fed lodge clique" in Lancaster, nre of thi.
class of men is evident from the tone ofthGil
press for the last few weeks and that tha
press and it's Immediate advocates has foi
months past been subscribing the interest,
of religious sect whose foundation anc
snperstructure is founded on principles re
pugnantt to the liberal frame Of our insttu
tions, is evident TO the mostcasua! observ.
err
desire 10 prescribe no man on accouni
ofroligious preference, but regarding as
do, tho Catholic Church rs containing
Jesuilical creeds at once calculated to saT
the very vitals of the tree Of liberty and
gradually undermine and upurn the whole
superstructure of our political compact,
cannot butfeel that it is dangerous for
political party, and especially the corrup
men Of party to hold out inducements fol
such sect to make demands for higl
places in the affairs of government, and Sc
feeling. cannot lend my influence in ele
, yaling men to Office who are willing to tar
nish the purity Of our institutions by tam
peling with such influences for persona
aggrandizencnt. nor can any longer re
? cognze press as n correct representative
t of my democracy that will advocate suci
views and supportmeu ofsuch character
When you charged the Eagle last fall o
being The "Pope's organ" was disposed
to regard i. MS II mere electioneclinG
scheme, but the course of that press sine,
then, has convinced me that you were cor
rect in your charge, and have recently
, been informed that one of its editors now
, holds an Office under n Roman Catholic
in Pierce's Cabinet, and that consequent
ly the tenure of his Office depends on hi,
defense of the Catholic faith, the interes
of the Pope, and the further condition o
keeping Catholic as deputy, which con
dition understand has been pretty faithful
ly fulfilled. These reports may not be
} true, but if they are notl hope TO see Tho
T Eogle come out boldly and clear them W
to the satisfaction of the public. lfit does
not, myseIiaud many others who stood t,
the democratic nomination last fall are pre-
pared by our votes and influence forever
! hereafter to throw our strength agans
these communicating influences. Why hal
the name of democracy been abandoned
Why is It that We are invited to join th,
Sag Nicht" in order TO "efect closer IN
ion Of he democratic p'tny?" Why is i
that the bitterest opposers Of democracy ar'
now admitted into the secret counsels j
this be a reorganization of the party?--
Why is it that wings are placed on th'
"Sag Nicht" ticket headed democratic
formed in n secret counsel and democrat
urged TO vote it, if this organization is de
signed as "a closer union Of the democrat
ic party" or designed to find out who tn,
| "Know Nothiugs" are, rs some pretend t
say9 Why is it that democrats are exclud
cd from participation in these meeting
who are unwilling TO work their way in By
solemn pledges and secret signs and grips
These are interrogatories which must b.
answered satisfactoriailv before those en-