Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1864-04-30
Know Nothing, Say Nothing.
OLYMPIA, w. II. April 10th, IS

OLNMfiAS w. L ApSN 1StIls xOO4.
Dear Sir: have been informed tina.
there is Society in this place called the U.
Fs. which has for its object the capture Of
Vancouver's Island, and I have taken this
opportunity Of cnqniring whether it is 60 or
not, as there are many of my acquaintance
in this vicinity who would be- ready to join in
with such an expedition. Please favor me
with an answer, and be assured Of my pro.
found secrecy. Yours Truly, -
The above letter was lately received by a
member of the order of U. +. of the F. u,
from personal friend residingin this vicinity.
As the writer has always been considered
gentleman of more than ordinary intelligence,
the communication elected no little surprise
among those who knew him, and as his, con.
juctures may b. considered a fair specimen Of
the ridiculous surmises INDUCED in by a
large portion Of the community conceyning
the objects Of an order of which they know
nothing, it is considered no improperly 10
publish the letter. suppressing all names which
might identify the writer. The idea that a
society could b. formed in this, Or any other
community. for the purpose Of organizing a
piratical expedition against the territory Of a
power with which our Government has more
but the most friendly relations, would be to
absurd to be seriously contradictcd. did we
not have undsputabls proofs that ideas even
more ridiculous are really entertained con-
corning tho U. +. of the f. U. by persons
whose opinions are entitled to great respect
-upo~ subjects maicA they understand. We
would here suggest that whilst it IS no partic-
MAR discredit to any man that he keeps aloof
from any society it is very ind;screet i'll such
to publish the absurd conjcctures of themselves
Or others as facts, concerning things of which
they and every body else must know that
they can have no knowledge. The order Of
the U. +. of the +. U. is W. Il known to num-
Dor among its members persons Of every
variety Of political and religious opinions. Of
every pursuit in life, and of every class in
soc;ety-,here being no political test whatever,
except q cordial and devoted adhesion 10 the
Government. This, in connection with one
other fact which is within public observation,
that wonderful cordially and unanimity ex-
lists between the brethren, notwithstanding
the variety Of their interests and opinions.
should satisfy any reasonable man that the
order must have something stronger to hold
it together than mere political parties. But
on tho contrary, it is proclaimed by this
one, that the order is a Experimentation
concern; another asserts just as confidently
that it is Copperhcad institution; again. it
is represented as decidedly disorganizing in
its tendencies and purposes. This last do6-
milton we presume to have originated with that
class Of persons to be found in every commu-
nifty, who can not heartily endorse even what
they know to be right, unless it comes from
the proper quarter. Tho chief Of all fools are
those who imagine that there can be any
kind of clap-trap machinery which will enable
them to control elections in opposition to tie
'cishes et'Me people. 1t is no part Of our iQ,
tention to set forth the objects or nature OK
the institution. Indeed it must DO apparent
to every person, that member of secret
order in pretending to inform the public of
the nature Of its ceremonies must either abso-
lntely draw on his imagination or violate his
pledges. We therefore dismiss all Of the
rumors mentioned to furnish food for the cog.
itatons of those who have visions of hot grid
irons and creased poles floating through their
brains, as symbols of the order.
-. -
TIE SMITH EvIDENcE.-The Governor
has suggested that the compiler did not pre-
sent the true state of facts as detailed by
Messrs. Merryman and Chalmers concerning
the proceeds Of the sale of the cutter jeff. Da'
els, in his comments ON the evidence. under
the title Of Remarks" The discrepancy is
not at all material, for the reader will base
his opinion Of the transaction upon the state
ments Of those gentlemen rather than upon
the remarks which follow. The compilers
version is more favorable to Smith, than the
facts as detailed by Merryman and Chalmers.
They say the entry was not made to the cred
it of the Government in the books of the
Office, but that they got the amount Of sales
from the memoranda and sales of the auction
Ger. The remarks convey the impression that
the entry was made in the ledger. but not
discovered while in the possession Of Merry
man.
--~oA---------
The New YORK HERALD ON SLAVERY