M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1855-02-16
From the clsvsiand Plain Dealer.
Serraf P0fffIeal 9Oeieiies.

tion OF matters indicated by the caption
of this article. To prevent any innO-
cent misunderstanding Of our views, we
would say, in this place, that neither
our argument, nor the facts adduced 10
sustain il, are directed against organiza-
lions for bsntrOlsnt or beneficial plrpo-
ses. Such institutions, " neither servic-
able or prejudicisl to the the general
good. are not to be classed with associ-
ations lJI political ends; and all ques-
lions concerning their proPriety, OF util-
iiy, are TO be discussed, and settled. By
those who are better skilled in casuistry
than ourselves Morality, and the So
cial virtues generally, may, for augh'
we tuoN, need such aids, against the er
rors and dspravilies OF the world; butit
is not our business 10 either advocate
or oppose them.
Our views, in regard TO Secret POlit.
cal Societies. may be comprehended in
few simple propositions. In the fiTst
place, there is no necessity for them,- in
this county. or under form of govern
meni like ours.
Under monarchical and despotic dyn.
ssties, where the natural rights of the
people are disregarded, or trampled up.
on, there may at least seeming necessity
for combinations Of the weak against the
strong. But even this admits ofa doubt;
for, if we read history Alright, such So
cieties have as often been Instituted for
the purposes of revenge, or OF unbridled
ambition, or for the substitution Of an
anarchy aud lawless rapine, for the dull
mouotony of despotism, as for the wor-
thy and unselfish ends of justice and
philanthropy. At all events, a coun'
try like this, and under government
like ours, were every voter 10 become q
member OF a Secret Political Society. il
would amount to no more, and no less
than combination Of the people against
themselves
Before we can admit that there is the
semblsnce of necessity for such soci'
cites here, il must be made out that
the people have become unfaithfui to
themselves, and tranlple upon their own
rights, privileges. and immunities.-
This can never be done, for the reason
that no law, under our government, can
be constitutionally enacted, either for
the promotion of the general good, OF
for the purpose of evil. that shall not
touch the interests Of all alike-as well.
and as effectually. those of the Presi.
dent Of the United States, as those Of the
boy who drives his horses or blacks his
boots.
Ignorance Of this fact has led some
foreigners, we mean, especially. those
Of the Red Republican school, into ex
ravagances, alike ridiculous and insulS
ting to the intelligence of the Ameri'
con people. To those who aim at the
destruction of all religions. and the sub
version of oil goyernments-who pro-
fame the as, lum to which they have fed
by infdei blasphe IN les, and outrageous
assumptions, we say TO their faces, that
they but imperfec!ly understand the ma
ture and tendency OF our Institutions
We speak Of course, OF a certain class OF
German imigronts-as large majority
Of the German population Of this coun.
Try are eminently trus 10 the principles
Of American Democracy. Such merit
aud will receive the, highest con fdence
Of the people.
1t may not be new to all, and il may
be surprising to many TO hear il saiC
that we have among uS, in our very
midst, Secret Socities of various kinds
composed exclusively, of that claso .
FOREIGNERS, whose principles, aims, anC
purposes are Of character to excite tht
most serious apprehensons in the midst
Of all who have any regard for, or conf
dedcs in the principles Of Democratic
RepubIicanism. And, yet we shall no
hesitate to affirm, that such is the fact
And il is painful to know, that sucf
men, rendered clannish BY desperation
are united, by oathS, and all the para
phernalis Of secrecy, in political organ
isations, for the worst of purposes.
This might all be endured with pa
tience, aud tolerated by q discriminating
aud wstchful liberality. were it not iha
SO foul a mass of political corruption
and rotteness has already become infec
tious. We mean nothing disrespectlu
TO the persons, characters, or motives o
the Know NothiDgs, when we say. tha
the plan by them adopted, to cure Ger
Tain evils which all have a right TO com
plain Of, was borrowed from that class
Of foreign reyolutionists, whose princi
pies and policy are coufessedly execra
BILE. And we have no manner Of doubt
that candid examination will lead al
lovers of vur republican institutions t
see, that such means, and appIisnceS
can never bs safely resorted to, for tn
purpose Of securing any political ends
however desirable.
We say this, because, the entire sup
erstTucture Of our government rests up
on the intelligence and virtue OF ID
people. None who are worthy TO el
Iioy aud exercise the rights of citize nship
can be either led. or driven, an inch, il
any direction opposite TO that marke
out by their own sense of duty and pro
priety. We submit it, therefore, to al
sound thinkers, that, in those politica
associations, where the will of the IN
DIvIDuAL is subjected to that of the MA
JoRITY in the disposal Of his sGfragss
4 az.
submission 10 one form of despotism.-
And has it come to pass, that, in orde
to withstand the balful influences G
foreign GeSpotisn, we must become th
i con niant iools of self.created one a