Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1855-06-01
X. Nism Condemned,

X. Nism Condemned.
A son Of Vermont, located in the far
West, sends us the following. 1t has the
ring Of the true Vermont metal.
For the Waterman a Jouru,l
Ma. EDrroR, During the years from
1893 TO '3i, IN connection with others, my
fellow citizens of Vermont, was dong what
| might to expose and counicract what we
believed to be the dangerous tendency of
the institution of Freemasonrv. Its oppon>
ents were earnest and untiring; the people
were convinced Anti>masonry was success
iul. The administration Of extra judicial
oaths was made penal offence by Statute !;
the Grand Lodge of the State surrendered
its charter; and the vote of the Electoral
College OF Vermont was given for the ANTI
masonic candidate for Chief Magistrate of
the nation in 1892.
One fact during that campaign became
most glaringly obvious; that secret oath
bound societies tend fast TO corruption. was
proved to a demonstration. When aspiring,
and interruptions demagogues have the plan
ning and framing of progressive degrees,
and oaths Of each degree, to riyet whatever
Of good or evil they propose; they have the
power Of leading from step to step the well
meaning and unwary, to almost any extent
Of turptude and crime. In one degree they
iamihsrlze the initiated to whatever may at
first seem Objectionable. and pr epare him for
another step towards furlherinq their own
ambitious designs of aggrandizcment-
Now, Mr.. Editor, can the problem be solved ?
VII evil genius has blasted the effect Of
our labors aud triumph in your State, that
tff al
flourish thercf
| sincerely believe, the rejecting Amori-
can Patriot has more reason today to mourn
over the tendency Of the people to divide
themselves up into clans, aud affiliate to-
gelher by secret oaths IN Lodges, Chapters,
Councils, Tents and the ike, than at any
previous time. We learn, land with deep
regret through your paper, and from other
sources, that the great National party called
by the significant sobr'quet Of knoio Moth
ing have obtained quite footing in your
state. Can the American people be sane
upon this subject Of Ronanism for it is
that, 1t seems, upon which is grounded their
fears Of the subyersion of our Liberties. Is
it possible it can be necessary, in the free
states Of the north, where are schools and
colleges without stint; presses in every vii
lagc aud hamlet, FREQ as the mountain Jree &c
to incnlcatc good and churches, and minis
ters, 70 proclaim the pure gospel of the Di-
vino Jcsus,-may all be brought into requi-
sluon for the promotion of correct public
sentiment, ana the reclamation of the crrinr
to truth: Is 1t possible. slr, that a necessity
can exist for the formation of secret, oath
bound clans, who hold their midnight con-
claye, under bolts and bars to shield them
from the public eye? And all for what p
Why. iorsoolh, 90 save the nation from being
controlled and swallowed up by the Pope Of
Rome a little old gentleman who dwolls on
the bark of the Tiber, away in Itay--who
wears a cap on his head called a Tiara. and
who is under the necessity of being protect
ed by an army of French troops To prevent
his own people from destroying his person
and his power
1t must be this, for Know No,hings are
not willing to admit that they have been or
wish to prescribe PHpsts and shut them out
from the franchises of political pawer. on &C.
count Of s.sir religion. No, they would not
prosecute in matters Of conscenc for they
know tina, " the blood of the martyrs is the
seed of the church = bat they would, be-
cause born in a dlileren, cline, rob them of
their civil franchise and subject them to tax
alton without representation or nCttax them
at all, but grant them equal protection in
person aud property, and saddle the cost Of
that protection upon the pure Americans a
lono. Which horn Of this dilemma they
propose to take, know not, if indeed they
have settled 1t among themselves Bat there
IS question IN the economy of American
politics, the right settling of which is Of
vital Importance to this nation aud the world.
/, Is, whether Sidrcy or Freedom shall be
the ruling genius Of this great Republic
That is the question now before the milton.
ignore It who may, and which cannot be
bhnked ont Of sight. The slave power. hav-
ing the possession Of the federal government,
have driven the ploughsharc of slavery to
the beam through the land. Seeing The
treachcry of northern men in high places,
and the apathy of all on the subject, they
have schemes Of monstrops proportions yet
10 be consummated And for fear the North
might resist, tub is thrown over TO amuse
the whale while the harpoon shall be struck.
That tub 1t was decided, should be Poperv :
And il works ike a charm So while the
North are beating the air 0siensiJlH to keep
PopeTy out Of the nation, weakening them
selves by dlscDuraglng immigration, they
may awake at last to find themselves involv-
ed IN a war with Spain and France; and
Catholic Mexico, and Caihotic Central Amer
lea, and Catholic Cuba annexed to our Union
of States with Slavery and Popery combin-
ed TO rule US forever But is il said, the A :
merlcan party is not a slavery but an an ants
slavery party Then il is not national
party. Who believes that the southern wing
Of any party can be made to favor freedom /?
No, II is intended by lis creators and mana
gers to be party like the Democratic and
Wing, govonei BY The Souih. 1t may be
nti-slavery IN state affairs but in national
affairs it must succumb 10 the South Many
fear 1t may succeed IN 1856; but may God
and the people prevent it. Can we invoke
the Church to our aid ? The Church seems
TO take as much interest in the Crusade a.
ganst foreigners as any others. Let the
Press and he People who see clearly thro'
the fraud, be untring in their exposition Of
it, and with the blessing of Heaven all Inay
be we'll JEFFERSON.