The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-03-04

3
wishes and fallen fortunes And sooner had its tr-
umphan been heraded by the telegraph and press
70 the four corners Union than they rushed to i
did the petty kings OF India TO the standard of Alexander
the Great in his march from the Indus to the Hydaspes
That party now gives TO II its principal element Of
strength aud when we consider that the new order is
composed OF wings abolitioniss eligous fanatics and
political malcontents il will readily be perceived that ee
ments 80 incongruous In themselves and fatal TO the
public veal be held together without extraordinary
and unnatural obligations, Of which shall now speak
under the head Of
n, mode Of action.
This Mr. Chairman presents Of the serious OBJ
ections TO this novel organization and must ultimately
lead the consequences fragrant abuses
In this model republic where public sentiment controls not
only the destiny OF men, but the destiny Of the nation there
Is something revolving in the idea OF secrecy IN the acuon
conduct principles of any political organization
The only by which the people can arrive at cor
rect knowledge of the principles policy and merits of him
v no seeks public syor and position IN the councils 2,
from electors his opinions the political topics OF the
day apt he sgnay rebuked by the sovereign people
when they exercise the high privilege of choosing
their pnblc servants This order however attempts
70 ssfsblsh precedent in political conduct Instead
S.ag win the people by appeal to the correctness
Justice OF its creed il seduocs them into midnight
council and the astonshcd militant has time
from bis AT what he and hears around him
Is induced to take most horid OATH which binds him 10
sapp0r any candidate for oicai oee pho shah be
By ne order 10 wheh h belongs This sir is exagger
alton OF the oath taken by the members OF this party
and although have IL not in any authentic shape from
the order ITSELF yet Il % in such reliable form that
apprehend IL will not be denied have before me the
True American Of the Esd December last whose editor
of the first 10 advocate the organization, and
who attached himself 10 THE ORDER AT early day In
combating the tyranny Of the Grand Council OF the State
of New York. he uses the following language:
/" Now, mark, bound to vote for candidate
of the grand councils nomination, but for member
ORDER, come from any source his nomination may Fl
This sir is equivalent abolishing all the high pryi-
leges of the elective franchise which has been properly de-
nominated the "buwark of American liberty 1t takes
Ira,,f Tim ha
shall 1t ties his hands and his conscience sub
nit His vote the commodity of council the
edict Of secret society and he dare question the
propriey of its dispensaon As immaculate this new
party claims to be it is not without its difficulties and dis
senson and these have led disclosures which exhibit
its tyranny and unfold its dark designs the
of its votares and the astonishent of curious world
The astonishing Developments made in this order
after the late election in the great State Of New York
that seat political wonders which is said 10 have given
birth to the new party-show that it exercises
ship which would have damned the secret council of
Venice and practises desposm worthy only of
policy of Austrian spies. In that election the "know
nothing candidate unsuccessful as soon as
asceraned that of the order had voted contrary
the directions Of their masters the grand council imme
diaey assembled, and passed the following resolution
Resored That the respective councils under the uris-
dction of this grand council by their proper officers
hereby instructed and required to withhold the termpass
from, and forthwith expel from the council all brothers
did not aforesaid fully support the nominations the
last preceding resolution referred to- and who refused
hereafter required who shall not offer
satisfactory the council for such nonsupport and
that purpose, said officers fully empowered demand
and require of each member of his their council he
they do declare with uplited hand in open council for
whom he they voted at the great November election
they have to Offer for such non-support
aforesaid"
This decree of the grand council the determined OPP
position of some of the subordinate councils and indie
pendent members of the order and caused the editor Of
the "True American member of the party to ex
claim as follows:
q Are Americans, of freemen be driven 10 the
polls like herd of CATTLE there deposite ballots hypo
knaye know he
they individually deride and despseunder the pain OF
imperial dispeasure?
awe who oppose Romanism upon the ground Of absou-
m in political matters and contemn foreignism for its
tona are probably among the last to suocumb to
sa Austria And STILL in the Of liberty of Christian
freedom Of era from saNysry we are commanded
draw from companionshp with brethren. Oh, liberty
what crimes committed in thy nameg"
The dissatisfaction did not stop here but as before re-
Marked entered the subordinate councils And meet
ing the order in Brooklyn the following preamble and
resolution unanimously adopted:
And whereas the said grand council at their recent ses
sion, adopted resolution originally suggested by H. A.
Granbury, requiring the members Of this ORDER under
tain pains and penalties, to co under OATH how they
rights and privileges secured and highly priced by
every true American: Therefore,
Reoiued That repudate and condemn the aforemen-
toned action Of the grand council anti AMERICAN
publican, and the most unworrantab obomnabie, and
republic; its confessional enance and threats of
only equaed by the holy quisiton of Spo and
only OF cardinals
Rome"
These proceedings, Mr. Chairman, are key to unlock
the motives and designs of this party and disclose
the for the necessity Of secrecy in its operations
disrus the people, and has confidence in their capaci-
y for segovernment IL is conscious of the alacy of its
political creed and hence requires oath support
it. Ii they have confidence in the patriotism of the people
and their capacity for selfgoyernment why go before
them, in open day. and unurl their banner with their
principles inscribed upon and rely upon the business Of
their for their triumphant success2 This want of
mi offh
in favor of strong consolidated governments since the
foundation of the world and oahs have been resored to
TO bind to constancy in that which, upon reflection
they know TO be wrong. Such the in ancient
Athens when thirty OF its most vruous citizens ban
sed the city The authorities conscious of the nfamy OF
their conduct and satisfied that upon sober reflection the
people would repent and the decree required them
10 take oath TO mention the Of the
banished patriots This the only precedent am aware
of for know-nothingsm in the United States. This new
party il is true has not the power of corporal punishment
had the suetes of the city of Athens But il is equally
nexorable in its DEGREES and commands absolute subser
viency in all its subjects the peril of communication
Such principles such conduct may have been excusabe
the days of Paganism but is unbecomng the reest people
earth in this age of progress where the public will is
the public law Of the land.
Its objects and assumed principles.
agree with my eloquent friend from South Carolina
Mr. KErT that there exist but essential parties in this
country and whatever they may from time time
assume their elementary principles remain the samethe
one conending for "A strict the other free construction of
the constitution the advocating States rights the
other consolidation And these parties have existed ever
since the foundation Of the government The democratic
party always existed under the name and its ele-
menary principles have undergone changes The OPP