The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-08-17

should really like to know what the Americans think
of this scrap Of history. They cannot deny it, Then viii
ask them what danger has grown out Of this secret political
society," IL this the only secret political society which has
existed in country for than half century The
Columbian order-known the Tammany Society, highly
Observation-Disclosures its existence without danger TO the
liberties of the country"
The difference between the secret order 10 which Gen
Houston has allied himself and the Masonic fraternity
simply the difference between Beneyoenee and Bgotry
between purely philanthropc order and one essen
TALLY proscrpdye No adopted citizen is excluded from
the Masonic temples The Masonic creed extends over all
the civilized world 1t is bond between the oppressed
1t rock upon which the hunted refugee may build his
hopes II holds its blessings to the widows and orphans
of Jew and Gentle of heather and Christian and has
been known to save the life of the captive in the
midst of savage tribes But what Of Senator Houstons
new order What of this irrevcrent political predesna
ton that would in advance thousands of American
citizens either because they or their parents may
first the light these shores2 1t is political party
and admits none to its dark dens unless they its
purposes Its benevolence is for the native citizen alone
and not even for him. unless be accepts its hdeous oats
Its vengeance for the Catholic and the widows and
phans whom it protects from perjury and from despair
only those whose nativeborn husbands and fathers
have taken the obligations OF the order All Others
as last KNOW VIII sAon
are outside barbarians fit only for sacrifices to the idea
that Americans shall rule America or to live on the
condition that they shall rise the full stature and
dignity of citizen Secret societies may be dangerous
to despots;" but where is there a despotism
morseess than the very order of which Senator Houston s
the head Perhaps he viii tell that his movement" is
intended to put down despotsm the United States and
that when Texas ramped his order under foot and boldly
,Io II, E,va rnf
despotism!
But if he fails in establishing similarity between
purely benevolent order aud the ARCHAEOLOGICAL
spracy of knownohings he still more sadly fails in his
facts the subject of the Society of the Cincinnati
General Houston tells that the order of the Cincinnati
excluded all that were natveborn We hesitate which
most be amused atthe simplicity of such statement
or the fact that he should introduce sponsor for
statement extraordinary the lustrous Of George
Washington The first meeting TO establish the Society Of
the Cincinnati held at the quarters of Major General
Baron de Steuben foreigner the 18th of May 1888
This foreigner the first president Of the Society of the
Cincinnati. The organization based upon the fol-
lowing principles:
having pleased the Supreme Governor of the Universe
the disposition Of human affairs the separation Of
the North America from the domination Of Great
Britain and, after bloody conflict of eight years. to estab
sh Free independent and sovereign States connected
by alliances founded reciprocal advantage with some OF
the great princes and powers of the earth
To perpetuate therefore, well the remembrance OF
this the mutual friendships which have been
formed under the pressure of danger, and in many
cemened by the blood of the parties the officers
Of the American army do hereby in the most solemn
ncr associate constitute and combine themselves INTO ONE
FRIENDS to endure long they shall endure
any their eldest male postery and in failure thereof
the collateral branches who may be judged worthy OF becom
inc tia suu and members.
The officers Of the American army having generally been
taken the citizens of America possess high generation
the character Of that iusrious Roman, ucus Quntus
Cncinnaus and being resolved to follow his example, by
returning their citizenship, they think they may with pro-
priey denomnae themselves THE SOCIETY CNcIS
NATL.
"The following principles shall be immuabe, and form
the basis of the Society of the Cincinnati
AN ncessant attention to preserve nvoate those exalted
rights liberties of human for which they have
fought and bled, and without which the high rank of
tonal being is curse instead of blessing
An unalterabe determination to promote and cherish,
between the respective States and honor
essentially necessary their happiness and the future dig
nifty Of the American empire.
10 render permanent the cordial affection subsisting
among the officers This spirit will dictate brotherly kind
in all things, and particularly extend the sub
antal Of benecence, according to the ability of the
society towards those officers and their families who unfor
unatey may be under the necessity of receiving it.
The general society will for the sake of frequent commu
nicaton be divided into State societies. and these again into
such districts shall be directed by the State society,"
The membership of foreigners in this order secured
by the following article:
Those officers nho foreigners, resident any Of the
States teH hare their enrolled BY the secretary general
be considered members in the societies Of any Of
the States In mhich they may happen to be-"
And the recognition of the services of generous al
lies of France foreign nation made in the following
marked and significant manner
The society," deeply impressed with of the gener
this country has received from France md
DESTROYS perpetuatng the friendships which have been
formed happily ubsted between the officers of the
allied prosecution Of the war, direct that the
president general transmit, may be- to each of
the hereafter named medal containing the order
of the society," His cxcellency the Chevaer De La Luz
zernc minister plenpoenary; his cxcelency the Sieur
Gerard late minister penipotentary their exceences the
Count Estang the Count De Grasse tho Count De Bar
ras the Chevaier De Touches admras and commanders in
the navy his exccency the Count De Rochambeau COM
chief and the generals and colonies of his army
and acquant them that The society does itc the honor TO
sidor them members."
We leave the reader to Judge how far society based up
on such principles and signazed BY such demonstrations
of liberay and liberation and originating with such be-
roes be quoted in justification of base conspiracy
bound by hideos oaths exceponess prescription OF
all men not born SOIL and worshipping God in
particular form of religion. Alexander Hamilton, A.
Dallas Arthur ST. Clair Lafayette and host of other for
egners conspicuous members of the order Of Cncin
natl.