The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-05-04
ANRRICAH1sM

II hos been sufficiently demonstrated By
the elections Of tho last twelve months.
that a majority Of tho voters OF tho United
States ore convinced Of the necessity OF
adding to the stringoncy Of our naturalira.
ton laws, so rs to prevent the undue in
auence Of foreigners In the government Of
our country. The members OF the Wing
party, who have always been majority OF
the native voters, have seen themselves
defeated year after year by the direction
given to the foreign vote, which has been
moved in mass at the bidding Of the (so
called) Democratic managers while the
rank and Gle Of the Democratic party who
have found themselves put aside by their
own leaders, and treated with less consider
alton and attention than their fellow voters
of foreign birth, ore alarmed at the undue
influence which pervades tho Democratic
councils. They are disguised with the fra.
ternity Of associations Of alien-born voters,
who under their own organizations control
the primary meetings Of the party, and
with banners flying and drums beating give
tone and character to tho political demon.
STATIONS Of the day, md when tho result
sought for is gained, demand the reward Of
victory.
To counterfeit this foreign influence, q
secret political society has been organized,
which has met with o success heretofore
unknown in the history Of politics, and
which could only have resulted from an
almost universal sympathy with the prin-
ciples Of the new organization, and con.
idence that it could not, like most secret
political societies, be used for tho subversion
Of popular rights. II was apparent, even
to those who look with distrust upon 90.
cresy in politics, that body of politicians
which admitted oil its members to knowl.
edge Of whatever secrets Il might have, and
depended for success upon the votes Of
majority Of electors, who themselves were
acquainted with oil that was secret about
tho party, was less dangerous and less liz
bio to DO corrupt than any other party man
aged by few leaders, who KEEP, their party
secrets to themselves, and by the force Of
partiEan drill and official influence, lead the
unthinking masses to vote tor-they know
not what.
Still, with the honesty any party may
possess, there will always DO In many minds
an insuperable objection to secret organ.
ization, and the objection may 60 80 far rs
10 convert those who would sustain the
principle of the secret party, were their
advocacy an open question, into indifferent
lockers on, or open enemies. In regard to
the American party II is asked, what is tho
need OF secresyi Has It not demonstrated
its power and proved the sympathy Of the
majority Of the people! Why does II encum.
Der itself with cloak which must DO drawn
aside for all purposes Of legislation, and
which with the knowledge SO easily acquir.
cd by all intelligent people OF the country,
can conceal nothing OF the consequences and
very little Of the causes which produce sue.
cess. 1t is apparent to every person who
has given attention 10 the subject, that the
only course Of argument which has been In
tho least effective against the American
movement, has been aimed at its secret
character We have seen or heard little or
nothing against the principles ], probes.
ses. There has been no discussion worthy
Of being called discussion, upon the evils
which Americanism seeks to remedy, but
all the artillery of the opposition has been
brought to bear upon the maner OF its
organization and TIN secrcsy which pervades
its operations. Arguments Of this kind
have not been without their force, and we
are glad to find that many, indeed, most Of
the prominent men and papers who sympa.
thizc with tho American movement arc urg.
ing an abrogation Of the score, obligations
and proceedings, and the adoption of q
publicI platform, an acknowledged party,
and public nominations and legislation.
1t is said tho American party in Mass.
achusetts are about to issue declaration OF
principles to the world, and to take an open
position in their support. General Wilson,
one Of the U. S. Senators from that State,
recently addressed an open meeting Of his
lodge, in Gloucester, In favor, among other
things, OF an open organization, and we
understand the subject is being discussed
very freely, and with favor In the Know.
Nothing papers of the country.