Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-02-16
From the South Bend Forum.
ssEhcy Love Darkness. -

a very weak and very mean partisan effort all
over the country is this time being made by the
dainty mnons of the Lincoln Administration to
brand Democratic Legislatures and Democrats
everywhere with Rebel sympathy and secret po
iLical combinations with reasonable objects
They return again to their old partisan tactics
What they charge upon us, that they most indus
triously practise
Coming up recently from indianapolis. where
the heart of the State is beating with quickened
pulse against public wrongs, and where these
dainties are suspected of such double dealing, we
tnd demonstration of their peri ly under our
nose at home. We find, in all local newspapers
an advertisement, by "the Central Secretary OF
the Strong Band Association" at Chicago. to the
effect that that new secret brotherhood" IS pre-
pared TO establish "branches," Ihat-it proposes
"to preserve" Ito secure" and "to teach" GER
tain things which men know ntuitively, and GER
tain rights which American citizens are all born
with.
The same advertisement is in this paper IL
is tolerated there for pay-it is not indorsed
The printer is not responsible for other peoples
eytravagances in connection with the drugs aud
whisky and snuff aud tobarco he may advertise.
That advertisement comes from Republican
sources; and in the accompanying "nOtce, -
printed also in this paper last week with the ad
yertisement, it was Loastingly stated that the
very name of this secret political band has refer
ence Ito association extensively diffused
through our CRIMES"
IL is a political axiom with US, that whatever
purposes to teach the principles Of selfgOvern.
ment by pretentlous Covenants, oaths, emblems
and solemn ceremonies" which are .confeSseuly
unfit tor the light of day, should nowhere receive
the counteuance Of good citizens. Looking no
further than To the acts of she Know Nothnss,
the Wide Awakes, the Sons of Malta. the T.
C's the U C's, &c, men OF the State OF Indiana
| fiud enough TO demonstrate that secret political
societies are unfriendly to the institutions of free
government. And if their tendency is bid in
civil lie. how certainly should they be deprecated
\ in the armies of this UniOnl
In view of the fact, then. that their tendency is
unfriendly to good government in ordinary times
they must be positively dangerous now; and would
il not be well and wise for the Legislature now in
Session suppress AL such organic itons by posi-
tive llwI Id this is not done. they will continue
their wOrk--aBd they not wanting all the de-
lenses of money aud official patronage. and the
weight and support of selfish and corrupt men OF
influence in the church--they will continue their
begun work in the hands of that very same class
of extremists which nave instigated the great Re
beiIion They have iustigated n rebellion, whose
resources OF strength n two years war conducted
by their c0unsels without restriction of men and
mea.is have only begun 10 develop. ! he coun-
sells of the Administration all tile time overriding
the judiciary and the Constitution the people are
| beginning 10 see that the rebellion cannot be sup
pressed by policy hostile to the rights OF man;
aud they are crying Que against its acts with a
voice that will be heard by their ultimate State
authorities.
/ IL will therefore be the first work of our State
Legislature to restore the violated laws. and to
strengthen the fallen hands and feeble knees OF
the J Judiciary. And then they must promptly
rebuke the conuptionists in high places, and all
their friends and abettors ia every secret place.
prominent among whom are these secret political
organizations now so industriously seeking favor
with the honest and unwary citizen. The men
that began this CAM neither prosecute it sue
cessfully, nor bring il to any just and honorable
termination. They can do nothing now but ex-
tend the Of civil war. and the Legislatures OF
the people should put them down by law--at
once and everywhere.