Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1855-03-30

BURLINGTON, FRIDAY MARCH 30. 1865.



We grant that IN dcspotc countries where
none are allowed to discuss openly the rrin-
ciples of the government or the conduct OF the
rulers, secret political organizations are JUS
tifahle. Yet even in those countries their
conduct should he in accordance with tie
principles Of natural justice and the rights OF
man. Otherwise they are sure to become
only another form of despotism-nonc tie less
real in kind for being conducted in secret
But in a country like ours, where Political
discussion is as free rs the air to every one,
they are uncalled for. Truth and fair dealing
have no need of them. Open daylight and Il
clear field are all that they ask for.
From feelings Of this sort, and from con-
viction that all attempts to maintain polit-
ical organization Of that Misunderstanding
"a the notion of great success 10y combined So
cret effort would be at first with muny--must
soon defeat themselves if let alone, VIC have
had but little to say and u care about the
whole array OF Councils, grand Councils and
Lodges, Presidents, Grand Presidents. de-
grees, signs and symbols oaths of secrecy and
oIths Of obedience. which have danced before
tic public eye for some months past. In
truth, rapid us has been the growth through
out the llnd of Know-Nutiing lodges, We
believe that way Of doing things i, unnatural
G. the American mind, and must soon come
10 an end. If there are any new and cOIlmen-
dablc doctrines to he inculcated they must
fIrsakc hiding places and come out into open
-. & 3
500. Ifany new thing ought to be done, let
all have the reasons for doing it fairly pre-
scntel and fairly weighed. II the novelty ul
an opposite course takes for a little willie, ii
must gradually become dispensing to men Of
clndor and be abandoned for IN open and
manly course, such a !, natural t. an iutclli-
gent and free people
We see abundant indications that such u
process is already in active progress in Tie
Known Nothing order. Instead of that luya-
teal air which was first given to all that was
said about the principles and aims Of the
''new order" (Which to our view showed
that there was lack Of defnitcnosS in those
principles and aims, except perhaps the de-
finite purpose of gathering strong rot)
some propositions arc now laid down which
people can begin to talk to, Here and there
lodges are reported as having become divided
and insubordinatc. or as being abandoned al.
together, and on every hand there is breaking
'u' sentiment III I"No' VI '"''i"7 ','u'
wholly the secret way OF proceeding Which,
ut first means of success, begins already to
morn = h,rtI,.n cri.voue +, lao h,r,,o 1t 81
r.. ,r. r,...
recent meeting III trenton y u I'-'-''''
who favor the American movement II was
resolved that I've deem an open platform
and 4 ,stinct ,ortiscn or,,ril,tion essential
= 81. 30. Ut, ..,,....
- INC 7ucccsS VI 'n- S'C"' A''''i IVA" '"''o
mcnt. The Philadelphia american hGHHT
and the Jorsey Ci.p Sentinel prominent Know
No,b;,, o,,,ors arc in G,vor of an AVIAN ,..
- IT,
sah'zu'io"' anu 'lV p'S'o" h"'"-''"I"'"T
and American Crn'ddr' tie principal Know
Nothing paper Of New England, is Out strong
" on the same side. If the new rortv is wise
:, viii hood s,,ob sro,o.,i,,., os thoso ,.l.;.l
We hhu III inc !"'t huiH'ef OF tue h''o'''
Nothing.
Last week we told our readers that VIC be-
lieved in open fght-above-board warfare
in this American movement, In our opinion
the time has come in Which 10 speak and ar
openly. When the party was ypUnG and il:
members few, sctresy both protected arl