Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-06-06
To Ny Follow-Citizens of the First Ward

Having understood that you were prevented
from calling on me last night by the advice Of
my brothers. physician, allow me to take this
method and opportunity of expressing nv
'hanks Tor the honor you have been pleased to
CONFER IN electlng me as one Of your represent
atiVes IL our City Councils. The qualification
L Zee! Is mingled with regret, for I had boDed
mat our success would have been complete
throughout the city-that we would have fol.
lowed the bright example Of our distinguished
neigneor, old Virginia, in defeating al organ.
lzatioI which, wherever il has existed has
substituted general mistrust for mutual conf
ceEce, and, in fact, has done more 10 democrat.
Ize tho people where it has had influence than
any political party which has ever existed in
our land.
IL is almost unaccountable how in this
great az ? OF rapid progress, a secret ssocia
ton, which, if successful. would have thrown
US back several hundred years, and perhaps
even dlsnem5ered our Union, should have &C
CURED such an ascendeLcy. Those who are
observers OF the worlds past history must
nave seen how the Great Raler of the universe
has Onetimes thrown the bride on the neck
oil Gepraved human will TO let US see y.nere.
without His restraining and guiding influ
ence, We would be carried By it We now and
tnen need such checks 10 lessen cur self re.
lance AID mike Cs feel that we are not m
x,
dared to strike a blow at the yery kew stone
OF society, the sanctity of an oath, shall make
Us seek the true source and channel of our
prosperity and greatness, it will have been a
blessing in disguise
Among the reasons which think have in
tuenced maj9rity Of those who have been
drawn into this organization, are these-au
ignorance Of Its tendencies-the charm of Sc
ccreey' ana the alluring cry Of America ruled
oy Americans. Oar charity may excuse those
VINO have ignorsntly fallen into the snare. OF
us secrecy, so repuglant to the theory and
prllcipIe CT our government. I shall saw
nothing further than this, that we should
justly fear any political association which
shrinss rom fu!i, free, open, public investiga-
ton and discussion He that dOeth the
tr-th eousti 70 the Eight that his deeds NAV
be manifest"
as 70 the cry Of America ruled by Amer.
Lana, God grsUt that it may ever be so but
lot them be those who, whether Americans by
olrth or constitutional right, really love Amer
lca-"hO seek to advance her among the ma.
tons u the worldwide support the Constitu.
uon, and al laws made in pursuance thereof-
who respect the will Of the majority legally
cous;itated-whO would hazard everything for
the PeTpetuatIOn Of our glorious Union. Let
them De men who kA5 &c, or try TO know every
tGing they ought tc know, and do, or try to
90, every hing they ought to do. Let them
not be those who, Wanting of their native
birih-whlch surely is blessing and a pri1s-
are nevertheless secretly working TO subvert
ne Constitution, violating its provisions, dis
obeyinS tbs laws OF the land, and arraying
one 50 ton Of the country against another !;
men who Eao.c nothing they ought TO know,
and do nothing they ought 10 do.
Let us hope, fellow citizens, that the good
men who have uDhappily een beguiled into
tais unfortunate association and l believe
there are some eucb-will, On seeing its evil
tsndencies, quickly forsake it
there IL 10 greater evidence of true courage
AMI good sense than when a man seeing his
errors quickly and entirely forsakes them
Thanking you for the honor you have con.
ferred, and hoping to meet your appreciation
during my course az your representative,
L remain. very respectfully, yours,
Ju2e o-lt CHARLES ALERT.