The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1855-09-28
Seeret Political Parties.

In late letter on the subject Of Know-N Moth
ingism, Gen. Rusk, United States Senator from
Texas, says
''The secrecy is highly Objectionable. No
party can safely be trusted wtth power who
do not openly and distinctly aeow their ptlneI-
plies. The oathS which it IS understood they
take are illegal, tyrannica aud at open war
with the fundamental principles of our govern
tliat perS6haI n0efty and 1nuivIduaT resPonsIoHI-
ty which is the very ground work OF our free
institutions Ii is the highest privilege as We'll
as the sacred duty OF every Anerican citizen to
vote for measures aud men under the guidance
of bis own best Judgment. How can he surren-
der that right TO midnight council, and bind
himself by oath 10 carry out what they may
dictate. aud fulfil his obligations 10 himself, his
country and his God as ireenen The thing
is absurd He must, in the very nature ot
things, frequently so against either his Juds-
nient or his oath and that too were The most
vital Interests OF hls country may be lnvol-
sd''
This is we'll aud forcibIy pat. Ii there Were
no other objection 10 kotmuglsn, this
one of secrecy would be sufficient 10 secure our
earnest and Jealous opposition It's Character
isticS are slavery and nplon-Siavery Of
its members and prescription oi all others. a
man does not even become a nembe: by his
own free choice, but must be admitted at the
will of others who, having got 10 themselves,
have the power OF hrrplng others out. II a
person chooses 10 unite with any open political
party, he has only to coasu!t las own lnclna-
lions aad opiuonS NO one has right 10, or
eau keep hin cut, or prevent his enJoyment oi
/ all the rights and privileges OF freeman aud a
/ party man. But II d citizen wishes to unite
/ with one of these secret parties be must be adj
/ milied by the votes OF others sitting IN secret,
/ where bls character Is canvasS-d without any
opportunity OF defence OF reply. He Is not ad-
! nIlted, either, by majority. The revelations
published in the ChanlbrrSourg Wing show ed
/ that il only took FIVE blackballs TO Duiiity five
! hundred votes, thus giving to lew personal
| enemies, or persons interested IN keeping anoth-
/ er out power unknown TO the whole spirit
and nature Of our government. Thus IS the
very entrance to the secret party rendered hu-
initiating TO the last degree to man OF spirit
and Seli-reSpect.
Ifhe gets in he is in no better condition.
/ He is required to take an oath to keep secrets
/ before h. knows what he will have TO keep
and is rendered amenablr to code OF laws ol
rules. irksolne and offensive and wholly useless
TO enable him 10 discharge his duties as citizen
Until lately be was not permitted TO acknowi
edge his membership in the Order, or the Plac'
of its meeting, or admit even lis very existence
fhe was an upright man this led 10 contlnua
difficulties and disagreeable eyasions, as dlsa
greeable as disgraceul. That II led TO wide
spread and systematic course OF ialsehosd an'
deception cannot be denied. Even now
member is not permitted TO tell who else ar
members, even when the question Is dlrecti!
put. HIS only resort is in silence or EVASION.
In fact, in every aspect in which 1t cal
be surveyed, member OF secret political par
ty such as the KnowNothings is in state q
constraint near akin 10 moral and mental sa
very on the subject OF politics, which TO a
American citizen, should be the fTeest OF al
other subjects. We cannot see how any vote
possessed of proper selt-respect can subject hiH
self to such intoleIable constIant, winch con
tros his whole political conduct, aud eve
compels him TO vote for certain individual
however, obnoxious, or not vote at all, and