Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1855-04-04
"OPEN ORGANIZATIONS -


We hear greatde of talk about an ssopen
organization of the American party" and we
observe that the cry has been caught up by a
number of sound American papers, which de-
vote whole columns to its advocacy. Now we
don't know exactly what is intended to be ac-
complished, but if any material change what
ever, is to be made in the present system OF
operations adopted by the American party,
then We are opposed to it. We believe in the
| old adage, sslet well enough alone,' and we
can certainly see no necessity for change
AS the American Organization stands, at pre-
sent, it has been successful, beyond even the
expectation of its most sanguine friends, and
is fast accomplishing all that it was designed
to achieve. Why then change its policy P
What object is to be gained
But why is this call for an sopen organizationP
Have not all parties their secrets, and are the
Americans peculiar in that respect? And
would you spread out all your plans and your
mode of operations, printed sheet for
your insideous adversary's perusal? If not,
why is the organization to be more ssopen''
than it is at present Are not the principles
of the American party already known and
published to all men? Are they attempted to
be kept secret? How then, would you have
it more 'sopen," unless by revealing to your
enemies your strength, and your plan of bat
tlea When beseiging army is about to as
sail strnng citidal, does the Commander in
Chief, send to the Captain of the adverse host,
the number of his forces and the ,plan of at
tack, with directions how best to repel the as
sault? Remember that we are fighting will
ey enemy, one that for centuries has baffled
the tactics of the wisest statesmen of the Old
World. We have, thus far, succeeded in the
contest, bat our enemy is not comparatively
obliged to retreat, and is now refitting and
preparing again for the struggle. Shall we,
then, spread out before him our plan of battle
shall we invite him to scrutinise it in all its
parts, and so mould his own system as to coun-
teract all our efforts
The American party, as it is now organized
has already, in great measure, achieved the
object for which it was Instituted, and we have
every reason to believe, from present indica-
tions (Which could not be more auspicious)
that in a very short time it will be crowned
with final and entire success Would it not
then, be most suicidal policy to alter it in any
essential particular? Shall we throw away
certainty for an uncertainty3 In short, shall
we place ourselves, after all our struggles and
all our victories, now when We are almost at
the summit Of success, in the power of our
enemies, ,and be compelled to eight all our bat
ties o'er again ?''
We fear that this cry for a change in its or
ganizatiOn does not come from the friends of
the American party. 1t sounds to us more like
the insideous whisper of its Jesuit enemies,
who, having failed in every attempt to coun-
teract or impede its all conquering march,
because ignorant of its tactics and when and
where it would inaict the blow, now seek to
accomplish change in its organization, well
knowing that when Sampson of old revealed
his secret to Della, his strength departed
with it