The Placer herald., 1863-06-13
From the San Francisco Irish Nationalist.
SECRET SOCIETIES.

Secret armed societies are organizing
throughout the State, and a general system
of warlke preparation going on for the
ostensible purpose of protecting the Union.
Thus. in this instance, AS in many others,
the most unworthy and unhoy aims are
souoht to be accomplished under the gar b
Of Just cause, or the shadow of a noble
name. Such, we have been informed is the
case.
Does any citizen with particle of sanity
remaining within him, suppose for an instant,
that there is the least necessity, either
present or remote, for these secret armings?
Is not the whole State of California loyal to
the core? Who are the dlssfected, and
where are they9 To our minds. nowhere.
No one here desires commotion. Here people
of Southern origin are in a small minority,
and could have nothing to gain and every
thing to lose by disturbing the peace and
harmony that providentially has reign ed
supreme in our midst since the commence
ment of our national difficulties. The arming
of bodies of men, and the meeting of secret
societies, clubs and cabals, are fruitful sources
of strife; and from hidden corners, dark
lantern gatherings, through secret grips,
signs and passwords, men accept the belief
that there is an outside element that must
be cut down, if you please; for the mere
fact of the organization Of masses of men,
appointed with arms and leaders, with signs
and passwords, will grow up and engender
the conviction as it were that there is An
enemy to encounter, and falling to meet it,
the necessities Of such organizations, the
need for their keeping up, must be supplied
by making difficulties, by creating STRIFE,
by aggressive acts upon the elected enemy,
and thus we shall have strife, commotion.
persecution bloodshed, and in the end, for
the present happy peace and security, civil
strife, and the destruction of the inestmabe
blessings now so universally enjoyed through
out our whole State
We call upon our countrymen-upon all
lrishmen-to sci their faces against these
dangerous secret societies, to avoid them
and their authors as aiders and abettors, as
they would the open spoilers of peace, and
of our rights as citizens and men. When
ever there shall appear to be danger, 90 all
to the constituted organizations, enroll your
selves in the forces of the State, which are
open and above board; offer your services
in the clear light Of day, and offer them to
the Executive of the State, to the regularly
appointed aud recognized off ers of the
Commonwealth, and then YOU cannot fail
to discharge your duties. DO as your counl
trymen have ever done, and have in our
present troubles so molly and gloriously
done all over the country, support the laws,
uphold the government, and defend the
Constitution of the State and of the United
States. TO do this no secrecy is needed,
no mdni.ht gatherings necessary, no con.
claves in gloomy aiIeyways or hidden cham
bers requisite. In the meantime, pursue
the course that has always marked you as a
people. Remain quiet, orderly, peaceable,
and ever faithful to the land of your adopl
ton; do all this, and the effect Of your
example will do more good than any other
course, and END to check the dangers to be
apprehended from secret organizations.
DEMOCRACY IL THE STArE,-Rioht Glad
are we to see the unanimity with viii h
Democrats all over The State are falling into
line for the coming campaign. Past dissen