Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-03-29
Secret National Democratic Order.

Secret National Democratic Order.
1t may surprise many, but it does not in
the least surprise Us, to hear that Democrats
in New York, are srraying themselves under
secret organization for the purpose OF influ-
encing the polite, Of The country. And yet,
such is the fact in regard to come OF the most
able and active leaders OF the New York
Democracy. They have organized secret
political association under the name of "The
Foresters," at the head CT which stands Fer.
nando Wood, late Mayor of the city, and
Augustine Schell the present Collector, APP
pointed BY President Buchanan, and an ar.
dent supporter Of the present Administra-
ton. This secret order ia under the drec'
ton OF the old Tammauy Society. which is
aided in this secret work by all the Office
holders and all the secret spies of the Admin
istration. Six distinct branches Of this Sc.
cret order have already been put in active
operation, and an account of one of them,
which we find in tho New York Tribune,
will serve to exemplify all. They profess an
unbounded devotion to the Buchanan Demo-
cracv, and swear to sustain the President
in all his measures, bn they good or be they
bad. Read the following Rich. Wing.
"Foresters" is the name assumed By one OF
the last devised of these dark couspiracies
against independent action and popular free
dom, Of which tie specific purpose is the re-
covery by Fernando Wood and his creatures
of the control Of Tammany hall. To this
end thew initiate into the "Forresters" none
but members of the Tammany Society,"
Wood is of course the concOctor and chief
manager of this machine, and he generally
Though not uniformity directs its opera
tons. We have been furnished from relia-
bic source, with the following account OF Its
practical operations:
"The candidate, having been requested to
call on Mr.. Scbell or Mr.. Wood as will be
most effective 10 inducing him to accompa-
nv the stool pigeon Gent for him; 10 cQniGc-
ted to No 234 Grand stseet, on the third Dor,
though the meetings are not always held IN
the sama place.
"He is received at the outer door by one Of
the Forrestcrs Wittcrs) and is then informed
that be has been brought there to join a so
ciety of democrats, which bns tjr Its object
the regeneration CT the democratic party
Are you willing to lin, and unite IN 40 OBJ
LEGATION which we haze all taken" II he
answers yes the reply is pass him. lie
is then taken to an inner door, where the
same form is gone through, only little
stronger. After walking around the room
he is conducted to the chair OF the Nlsi-
BILE Vice (Vosburgh,) who addresses him as
follows;
"'Son If Tammany. You are presented
here for obligation as democrat and as q
member of the Tammany society. The Sc
crsts and workings about to be made Known
to you are not to be revealed, under the pen
alty of everlasting disgrace and eternal dam
nation! Are you willing to take the obliga-
ton on the Holy Evangcists|
"If it be answered in the affirmative, the
scales fall from his eY~s, and he finds him
self surrounded by men in masks. Tie VS.
ible Grand Fernando Wood then proceeds
to administer the following obligation;
81, applicant for the c. H., do hereby SOL
emnly promise to keep secret the working OF
this association in all matters appertaining
to the Tanmany Society, and to support the
ticket nominated by majority OF this assoc,
citation at the ensuing election Of Sachems and
officers. SO hell me God"
He then signs the pledge, and is informed
that Mr.. Wood is the Visible Grand, but that
Augustus Schel is the Invisible Grand, who
will make bis appearance among them az
proper time, and that, in conversation with
tho members Of tho Taumany society, he
shall so conduct himself as to leave tue im-
preston that there will be one ticket, as
the friends of Wood intend to build Tam
many Hall.
THE society has held Bat FIVE meetings,
Wood presiding thrice and Dan Clark when
be was absent 1t is composed principally
of the gang who formerly surrounded the
CITY Hall, and the weak brothers in the Gus
tom House, who are led to believe that this is
the only way to secure their places; but some
respectable men have found their way III
W. Ii. C. Waddell, John Nimmo, Col. b.
CART, Dr.. Van Z.ndt the Murpheys, Avery,
Robbins, and others