The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-06-14
A STRANGE SPECTACLE - NATIONAL KNOW
NOTHING CONVENTION.

For the last week, an Assemblage of men,
representing secret organization in the thirty
one States of this Union, which claims to have
enrolled in its ranks a majority of the Ameri-
can People, and aims to obtain the control not
only of every State, but of the Federal Govern
ment, has been sitting in one of our largest
cities, in deliberation on questions affecting the
interests and destnies of the Union, with closed
doors, under solemn odths Of secrecy. It's
purpose is, to agree upon some way in which
it may control the movements of the masses,
and make them minister to the embodiment of
certain Principles in Legislation, and the in
stallation of certain men in power--in other
policy of the nation and secure all its otiices.
Hitherto Parties aiming at such objects,
have not dared to shroud their operations in
mystery-their conventions have been open
their discussions and movements, open. They
have courted publicity-made provision for the
accurate report of their proceedings-invited
reporters-resorted to the Press-solicited pub
LEGATION and criticism-submitted their case
fully and unreservedly to the People, without
attempts by candestine maneuvring to con-
troll their actions.
This Secret Asscmblage at Philadelphia, rep
resenting powerful Secret Organization, shuts
the door upon the Public-aye, upon its very
constituents shuts the door upon the Re-
porter, upon the Press. No authentic report of
what is said or done reaches the Public-and,
although the results of its deliberations may be
communicated to the State Councils and their
members, at second hand, no authentic report
reaches them of the things said by their repre-
sentatives, of the manner in which they con-
Quoted themselves, of the various movements
which may have led the Convention to its
position How each member may glorify him
self to his constituents Who is there to con-
tradict him? What falsehoods may be propa-
gated among the members, and how are they
to be refuated? The Press is ignored-it tells
too much truth. Abused it is, it is the friend
whole truth in any case, by examining the col
umns of the papers representing different views.
But, it is because it communicates the whole
Truth, that the Press is excluded by this Secret
Assemblage at Philadelphia. 1t is afraid of
the People-it shrinks from submitting its un.
vanished doings and sayings to their scrutiny
it aims to control and direct them through the
drill of secret organization, packing their
conventions, shaping their proceedings and
nominations by invisible influences.
And yet, we find long reports in the Tribune
and Herald of New York and other papers,
from unknown correspondents, purporting to
be truthful accounts of what has taken place
in the Convention. Are these reports written
by members of that secret body? Then they
are perjurers and on what ground do they ex.
pect to be believed? If not, are the materials
of the letters obtained from members? Per-
jured men still are the informants-and what
faith can we put in them? In one way or the
other, these letters must be prepared, or, they
are mere fiction.
We shall not fill our columns with such stuff
till we can ascertain how much truth there
is in it. One letter-writer says that the dele
CATION from Louisiana has been rejected; an
other, that the Convention has refused to admit
the delegates from the Council that recognises
Catholics, but agreed to admit the delegates
from the Protestant Council. Another says,
two sets of delegates have been received from
California. BY another, we are furnished with
the names of delegates from the several States,
seven from each. BY another, hot discussion
on the Slavery question is reported General