The true Democrat., 1856-01-29
Know NOthingiSm.

Gov. Ligon, of Maryland, discoursed in his last annual message as follows upon secret political societies. We commend it to our readers
 "Thus far have treated on such matters only, as possess an interest strictly local and are confined to the limits of our own State.- But before bringing this communication to close, should consider that had failed to dis charge public putty, were not to allude to new element in the political controversies of the times. which in my opinion, has already been productive of more baneful conseuuences, and has done more, to sever the ties which should bind together our whole people as one common brotherhood, than anything which has occurred since the organization of our govern ment l mean the formation and encourage ment of secret political societies.
 In this country the adoption of the veil of secrecy, as a means of accomplishing any poli- tlcal end, is without any tenable ground of either justification or excuse. In other lands where despotism may assert its fearful and pro- flgate dominion over mind; where to utter opinions distasteful to the rulers for the hour, may be to hazard property, liberty or life, sc cret political combinations may sometimes be resorted to as a means of subvsrtins the purpo- ses of tyrants. Such, however, is not the con dltlon of American citizens, nor can 1t be- so long as we are true to ourselves, and adhere to the faith and teachings of our fathers and the constitution, which is the work of their hands.
 Here, the press, that mighty weapon in the hands of a brave and virtuous people, is wholly unfettered. Thought and speech, enjoy a scope and an immunity, limited only by that degree ofpersonal liability which by jury of his peers may be visited upon him who ventures his fellow A thousand channels of commu- nication with the people are always open, through which the humblest citizen may criti- else public measures and arragn before the tri- bunal of public opinion, the candidate for off, cial station, or those to whom for the time being may be entrusted the management of the affairs of government.
 Thus much may be asserted in relation to se- cret political associations upon the hypothesis, that the ends sought to be attained may be such as are warranted by the laws of the land, and by the spirit and character of our civil institu- tions. But how much more are they to be de- pricated, when those purposes tend to the sub- version of the we'll established and most dearly cherished principles of our government, and to the establishment of rules for discriminating against large classes of citizens, not only un- known to the federal constitution and those of the several States, but plainly prohibited both by the letter and spirit of each and all of them.
 The nature and character of the issues, too, to which these organizations have given rise, are such as must be deeply deplored by all who sincerely wish the permanent peace of the coun- try The welfare of the Union depends so much upon the united affections and patriotism of the whole people, that any formidable effort to reuder alien to each other those who ought to be bound by fraternal affection, to separate and divide them into clans or classes by pro- posed exclusion from any right of citizenship, either on account of place of birth or religious opinion, must excite in every true patriot feel, ings of the most painful solicitude All history admonishes us that war of races and sects is the deadliest curse that can afflct nation. Let Us not turn deaf ear to her warning voice, by countenancing those who may rashly involve us ir both in the effort to accomplish political ends, by appealing to morbid and fanatcal re- ligious zea and thus stirring at their sources the most ungovernable passions and prejudlces of the human heart. Indeed 1t may require already most vigorous exercise of public ylr- tue to turn back the tide of evil flowing upon us, from an improvident introduction of reli- gious issues into the field of political agitation, and to restrain that proclivity to intolerance and prescription, which has recently been develop