The Placer herald., 1857-08-01
New Abolition Movement in Massachu'
setts-Arming of the Nigger Worship
perS.

We copy the following strange article
from the New York Herald. We only
hope that the statements therein made are
rather the result Of the exaggeraton which
characterizes the statements of the journal
from which we quote, or Of desire to
lay before its readers startling narratives.
The present may be regarded indeed as the
age of secret societies. The late Know
Nothing party gave an impetus to move
ments Of this kind which it will take years
: of sober and calm reflection to counteract
When we read of Vigilance Committees
and armed negro associations, the conclu-
sion rises unbidden that the experiments of
self government is failure, and that even
our boasted enlightenment is not suffi-
cent for the maintanance of Republi-
can Institutions. The train of reflections
which tho following article prompt are suffi-
cient to make the patriot weep. Here it is.
"We entertained hope that the recent
abolition anniversary meetings would throw
some further light on certain Massachu-
setts association, to which our attention has
been attracted for some time past. But,
save the vauntng invitation of General
Wentworth Higgnson for convention of
slaves to assemble publicly in the City Hall
of Worcester, we heard no direct illusion
either to the association or its power. That
invitation alone, however-giving the pro-
poser credit for the usual abolition sanity-is
proof positive that he must have spoken with
some secret authority to render the invitation
sefe and the persons of the invited secure; and
of the nature Of the league which lies behind
this invitation. we are now enabled to give
some details that will prove, we think, de-
serving Of very serious consideration.
"We do not allude to the Boston Wig
ilance Committee or its auxilares, but to a
secret society, elaborately organized, drilled,
disciplined and trained to the use Of arms.
The true title Of this society we are not at
liberty to divulge; but as its members have
adopted for their flag one OF the old symbols
of New England, we may call it by the
name in general use among its members
the Pine Tree League
"Strictly speaking, this league is not Of
an abolition character; its one sole and OK
elusive aim is the notification, in Massachu-
setts, of the Fugitive Slave law. All other
issues and objects it ignores, and politics
whether national, State or municipal-are
forbidden to be discussed within its gather
ipgs. Thus having no patronage to bestow,
mere politicians avoid it, and only those
ultra zealots are at home in its ranks who
are willing to do duty and make sacrifices
in support of an abstract principle.
"This society is divided into two orders
or classes-technicall known as assistants
and Athletes-the former comprehending
the new members and those whose senti.
ments are least advanced. The Athlete are
selected by ballot from the Assistants, and
SO exclusive is the organization that one
black ball. or vote in the negative, defeats
candidate; and none are eligible unless
fully prepared to adopt, to its utmost extent,
the motto of the association, which is Every
thing for the Cause To the adoption of
this motto we believe the elected have to
swear; but on this point our informant is not
certain.
'The Athletes are drilled in small COM
panies, once, twice, and in some places thrice
each week, not only to the old-fashioned
use Of the musket and bayonet, but in all
the modern and improved accomplishments
of the French chasseur. To these purely
military exercises is added a novel one
perhaps the most efficient for the purposes
had in view that could he invented;-it is
called the yalking-stick dill. The arms
for this exercise are cudgels Of all shapes and
kinds-gold- needed canes, hickory sticks, and
.eaded India-rubber life-pre.ervers. Each