The Feliciana Democrat. (Clinton, La.) 1855-186?, 1856-08-09
Secrecy not Abolished.

A circumstance occurred few days ago in
Connecticut which gives an inside view Of the
pretentions claims and secret authority and
power which Know Nothingism ~ still excr-
cising over its fettered mnions throughout the
The American State Counciln of
Connecticut met ut Hartford to consider the
report Of their delegates to the Convention at
New York. Whilst the action Of the delegates
in agreeing to the nomination Of Fremont was
being discussed, the following remarkable bull
OF accommodation was read:
CONVICTION, KENTUCKY.
Tuesday July l. 1856.
The National American Convention having uom-
natod Willard Fillmore and Andrew jackson DOue-
son rs their candidates for Pres dent and Wee Pref
dent Of the Tinted States. and both cand dates hay
ing accepted the nominations OF the American par
ty, II is held to be the duty of the American organ
ization in all parts Of the Union to conform to the
preference expressed by the national delegates
In case the existing organization in your State de-
cline 10 sustain these nominations, against which,
either as men or on account of their principle, no.
thing can be justly said, or in they dc from
the national nominations made in Philadelphia in
February last by delegates from all parts of the
dent of the national grand council hereby revoke
the charter OF the now existing organ cation, and
all charters emanating thercfrom and hereby autho-
RE you to establish State and subordinate couacils
in and for the State OF Connecticut, In conformity
TO the constitution of the national graud couDcl
and the rules and regulations which govern its OK
istence. L. b. BATLETT
President Of the Grand Council Of the U. S.
To Hon. OLIVER ELLSWORTH, city Of Han tford
HENRY SHERMAN, city OF Hartford.
The real character Of Know Nothingism is
more satisfactorily de,clopmed in this docu-
ment than in any platform Of the order (and
their name is legion which we have seen. 1t
is, in form and substance, a copy Of one of
those Papal edicts against which Know No
things honest indignation. What the Pope
claims the right to DO in regard to the spirit
al affairs Of the Church, the president of the
grand council Of the U. S." claims the right
to do in regard to the political opinions and
actions of the members of the organization
Located at Covngton, Kentucky, this great
high priest Of the order of the dark lantern
exercises jurisdiction over the entire Union,
and all who assert the right of exercising their
private judgment in conflict with the will of
the naeional American convention, ore excom-
muncated and sent headlong to political per.
dition. 1t turned out that the majority of
the Connecticut know-nothings had more ha-
tired for the south than for the Pope and for
eigncrs, or they believed that Col Fremont
was as good know-nothing as Mr.. Fillmore,
and therefore they Laughed" at and "spit up
Oh" Pope Bartlett's cdict.
This also shows that there is no reality in
the prctcuce that the Know Nothings had
abolished their oaths and secrecy but that they
are all in full operation as heretofore, their pre-.
tended public or open meetings being mere
farce, blind 10 deceive, whilst their secret
machinery is still kept working in the dark
md its fcttered victims made to feel its dcspot-
ic edicts.
We have been unable to account for the
support given to Willard Fillmore; by South
era men, born and reared upon our soil, in
the present dangerous crisis, most especially
when he occupies the ground Of opposition to
slavery in all its phases, advocates, openly,
the Missouri restriction and opposes the Kan
5as bill. But now we see how it is, they have
been commanded to do SO, and they arc COM
PEELED to do so, or violate their obligations,
they are bound and fettercd and no longer
free to think and act for themselves whilst in
the shackes of Know Nothingism
The bull or edct goes forth, from the High
Priest of the National Council, to the State
Councils, forthwith the State Councils, as in
duty bound, sends it forth to the subordinate
Councils throughout the State and these sub
ordinate councils respectively issues the COM
mand to their fettercd and deluded followers
who are reminded of their obligations and
required to govern themselves accordingly.
Such is the despotism of Know Nothingism,
such has been the edict issued TO support Fill
more, no wonder then that so many bondmen
Of the South are lead from their duty and
obligations to the South into the support of a
man who has never given vote or penned
inc in her behalf, and this is AmericanismtI
Would Willard Fillmore, if elected, be the
president? or would he be the mere instru-
nent, the creature of an irresponsible power