Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-08-23
Gen. Ho,tsion's Reply.

i
4 the present time feel no hesitancy in expressing
my opinion in relation to the American Order or
its principles feel that my fellow citizens, in
whose services ! have been so long engaged, are
entitled to my views, which, in their opinion, may
IN any way effect the public interest. At an
earlier period of the State canvass, it might have
been charged upon me, that was endeavoring to
influence the election in our State; but as the
election is so near at hand that my opinions can
not have general circulation, | cannot be charged
with interference.
You may rest assured that in relying upon my
candor and sincerity, you will meet with no dis
/ appointment. Owing to the heated state of the
public mind, the influence of Federal patronage
and the desperate efforts which are making to
smother American sentiment and quiet the up
heavings of the American mind, expect to re-
ceive. full share of vituperation and abuse. A
belief, too, that the election in Virginia has
strangled the efforts of the American people in
regaining their legitimate rights, and vndcating
their inherent principles, is, TO my belief falla-
| clous. regard the result in the Virginia cleo
ton as highly encouraging to the principles of
the Order. The efforts used were Of the most
| Herculean and untiring 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 Federal Administration would
have been deemed an outrage. As it is, the old
orthodox State of Virginia has received and re-
cognised the right Of Federal interference in her
will yet awake to the proper appreciation of the
rights of their Commonwealth and the extension
/ of Federal power.
In treating of subject which has been so gen
i orally and elaborately discussed as that of the
American Order, it would be difficult to present
| anything original in the way of argument; hence
my aim will be to Offer my deductions and con-
illusions from the facts and arguments of others,
| and to glance at the causes which have given
rise TO the present excitement. The movement |
regard as one growing out of great crisis in
the affairs of our nation, and the precursor of a
sound healthful, and vigorous nationality, which
Will be commensurate to solve and carry out the
great principles of free government and to pre-
vent the Liberties of the country from being de-
stroyed by the Vaccinations of dema gogucs and
tactionists, while they continue to chant the
syren song of ''no danger" At the same time
they cry out, 'beware of the danger of secret
societies." 1t is true that secret societies have
always been dangerous TO despots and tyrants.
They have even denounced and prescribed Ma
sonry. The Pope, with other potcntates, have
crushed the ancient Order in their domnions. In
our own country we have seen its portals leading
into its sacred temples for awhile closed and de-
serted. Secret societies were then denounced.
Thank Heaven, that cloud of fanaticsm which
for awhile overshadowed it, has been dispeled
by the light OF reason, and it still continues to
extend the blessings Of its principles to thousands
of disconsolate widows and orphans.
4
sit is political association, and therefore ought
not 10 be secret" reply, Eyes, il is secret, and
ITS name denotes its Objects Is it the first secret
political society that has been organized in the
United States 1t is as well known as any other
historical truth, that General Washington and
many of his compatriots Of the Revolution, were
members of the Cincinnati Society, in which, if j
am not under misrepresentation, no man is eligible
Tor membership, even now, unless he is n native
American. Was not this a secret society," Was
il not purely poiticali Was not General Wash.
ngton at the time Of his death, President Of this
society should really like TO know what the
| Anti-Amercans think of this scrap Of history
They cannot deny il. Then will ask them, what
danger has grown out of this secret political so
ciety Is this the only secret political society tina,
has existed in our country for more than half q
century, The Columbian Order--known the
Tammany Society highly influential, maintains
its existence without danger TO the liberties of tho
country.
General Jackson was member Of this society
and know prominent statesmen throughout the
nation who members Of it, and as myself am
one, and understand its principles, ] can assert
they are patriotic and national What say the
| Ant-Amercans TO these facts'
Can any sane man believe that General Wash
| ngton or General Jackson would have united
with any association order not purely Ameri
cam Would either have entered into political
| league where secrecy was enjoincd, il they had
not approved of the principles Of secrecy in politi
cal associations' From my knowledge OF the
| character of Washington, the sacrifice he made
for his country, united with his fervd patriotism,
and his preference for everything American,
cannot doubt for one moment, if he were now liv-
ing, he would chcerfully 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 potentates and
statesmen TO throw upon our shores their refuse
population of convicts and paupers, TO prevent
our ballot boxes and populate our poor houses, he
would most cordially sanction and inculcate the
principles of the American Order.
The instances which ] have given oe secret po-
litical associations are not the only ones which
have existed in our country, and which have been
and continue TO be practiced by tho two political
parties. Are not secret caucuses continually held
by the political leaders of both parties in Congress-
"Oh, yes" II will be answered, Every true; but
there is necessity for this We have to take care
Of our parties to form plans for the people TO carry
out And il we did not make platforms for them
| they would not know how TO vote upon important
subjects" This explains much Of the opposition
| TO the present movements of the people. The ac-
ton of the American Order is only the pusations
Of the American heart which forces liberty through
the heart Of the Masses and will cause them TO
claim that power and influence which the arts Of
| demagogues and assumptions Of ssparfg leaders
have appropriated to themselves and generally al
lowed the people TO cast their votes in accordance
with their caucus decisions whether secret open.
| Should the American movement succeed, as it
must, if our liberties preserved, many good
easy souls who feel seated in power, will have 10
yield that power, which has been used in directing
the people to carry out their edcts, prepared in
caucus and proclaimed by conventions The cry
Of ABOLITION has been raised by the Anti Ameri-
can party in the South, for no other purpose than
to alarm their fears and strangle the American
feeling
Have not the two parties for years past charged
each other with being identified with Abolition
lists, il suited party interests The American
Order have given their platform TO the world I
perceive, by the intelligence of the day, that
Of the Oldest Democratic statesmen, the standard
bearer Of tho party, General Cass, has approved
! the platform Of the American Order, as proclaim
ed to the world by the Convention at Phadel-
phia.
From 80 to sd, abolition appeared to have
died away. Its notes were seldom heard; or, If
heard, not needed. The compromise of 80 had
slenced agitation, and the last Congress at its