Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1855-11-21
Benevolent Secret Societies and
KnOw-Nothingism

Know N othiugism.
The following article appeared in the
Age of Progress some time since. As
we frequently do not receive the Age. and
at other times give it only cursory
glance, we did not observe it at the time.
In the procession of yesterday, which
was altogether splendid affair, we re-
cognized the features of acquaintance
belonging to one, two, and we believe
three secret benevolent orders; and among
them, some who are violent, to all ap-
pearances, 10 secret political societies.
For our own part, regarding secrecy
as criminal, SO far, only as it conceaIS
known crimes, we are not opposed to the
Benevolent Or the political Orders on thai
ground. Our conclusion is drawn from
the belief that Benevolence, and sound po-
lidcal justice. are both branches Of moral
ity, and equally obligatory on the con-
sciences OF men. ....tf. ...
u "Wlll some one, show US our error if
any in this conclusion. .r... .r..
+" We have: had specimens Of the Reg
ister's wit, shall we be greeted with its
logic" ~. g, ..,. ..-..g.. -
This article is evidently intended as n
hit at US, it being we'll know to our cit-
zens that we are, or have been, men,
Der of three secret benevolent societies -
We accept the banter of the editor of that
paper and will endeavor to show him the
" error of his :..conclusion."
The same difference exists between
Know Nothingism and all the secret be-
neVolent societies of which we have any
knowledge-the Masons, Odd Fellows
and Sons of Temperance-that there is be-
tween Truth and Falsehood, Benevolcnce
and Prescription, Universal Goo Will
and Strife, Hatred and Violence. Mason
ny teaches US that Truth is a divine attri-
butte and the foundation of every virtue !;
while it consccrates the efforts of every
Odd Fellow, and leads him to victory in
his war against vice in all its forms. A
Know Nothing is taught to dissemble up
on his first entrance into the Council
room-taught to deny the existence OF the
order and his membership therein. With
in the walls of Lodge-room we are
| taught Benevolence which requires US
! to do unto others as We would that thew
should do unto US, and that it is our duty
to assist the distressed, relieve the poor
and put the misguided traveller on his way,
without stopping to inquire his nation,
tongue or creed. Know Nothingism, on
the contrary, is proScriptive, and claims
Tor itself peculiar virtues it says, not on
Iy to the foreigner and catholic, but to
every American protestant who does not
believe as it believes, " stand aside, am
hoier than thou !" Our benevolent Sc
cret societies teach US that as we all sprang
from the hand of one common parent, it is
our duty to unite in Offices Of human be-
nefaction, and cherish feelings of univer-
sal brotherly-love. Know Nothingsm is
fruitful Of strife, hatred and violence, not
only with the rest of the world but among
its own members.
The greatest objection that has been ur-
ged to the secret benevolent societies, is
that they might be used for political pur-
poses and yet every member of them
knows that while they inculcate venera-
ton for religion and subordination to civ
il government and its laws, it studously
avoids all affinity with systems of faith or
sect, whether religious or political, and
that no political, sectarian or other impro-
per debate is permitted in Lodge>room,
under penalty of fine. suspension or ex>
Pulson. The difference Of opinion on
politics, religion, &C., among the members,
is sufficient guaranty that these orders
will never be prostituted to political orlE
sectarian purposes. They meet for mu-
tual counsel, the relief of the distressed
and to assist each other in those ills which
are incident to human life. We are char
ged to adhere to the essentials of religion,
10 which all men may agree, leaving
each brother to his own Judgement, as 10 |
particular forms; to- be, quiet, and
Peaceable citizens true to our government
and just to our country, and to extendt
the open hand Of charity to all, but more m II
especially worthy brother. No qtieistl
is ever ad"'aed into -Laags. Know-No>
thingism' on the contrary lis an, .avowed
seCretTPolitical societyS and5is thus sub.
ject TO al1the objections which have sbs Been
urged sgsinst Masoh,, Odd Fellows = and, tdII