The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1873-10-25
SECRET SOCIETIES.

such matters. Mems minds and opinions
differ and, probably, always will differ in
reference to the expediency, or proprcty,
OF such societies, but the fact remains that
they still exist. Experience, too, has shown
that they cannot be rooted out by cocrcive
or oppressive measures. 1t is an admitted
TACT, too that in some parts of the world,
they are an absolute necessity for the pro-
lection OF the rights of the people. The
independence of the United States would
never have been achieved but for the exist
ence OF these secret organizations, whose
members made themselves known by means
of grips and - signs" But the argu-
ment is that those days are passed and that
no necessity longer exists for secresy; that
these organizations are autagonislic to a
Tree government ; serve to foster class dis
tlnctions unduly elevate one individual at
the expense Of another; obstruct the course
OF justice interfere with elections and
numerous other similar charges. 1t is a
sulllclcht answer to most of these claims to
point to the list of members of different
secret societies, which have existed i'm this
country during the last three quarters of a
century, and ask whether these men would
affiliate themselves with organizations hav-
ing any such tendency. A further, and
more perfect, answer is found in the his
tory of the recent rebellion. The whole
country, NORTH SOUTH east and west, was
ramified with secret societies. Lodges of
free Masons, Odd Fellows, Good Tenn
lars, Sons of Temperance, etc. were found
everywhere, but their members did not hes.
ltate to enlist in the armies of the cause
which they espoused, and thus dcmonstra-
ted that their secret principles did not pre-
vent them from fighting valiently for what
they deemed the right, even if their .sbre-
thren' were arrayed in arms against them.
II the experience of the nineteenth century
- Wort" ""S'h'"g' " Inns proved that (" free,
intelligent people have nothing to fear
from secret societies. Tyrants and DIES.
potlsms do fearthem and, fearing, tremble.
The effort made some forty years ago. in
inns country, to root out secret societies.
and ostracisc their members. only resulted
in planting them deeper and stronger in
the country, and increasing their member
ship beyond all expectations.
Men are prone to secrecy. The human
mind is so constituted that any association
which is surrounded with mystery possess
SEES peculiar charm, and men seek to as
soclatc themselves Herewith What are
diplomatic negotiations, but tcmporarv
secret associations, on small scale, and
for the accomplishment of a particular
objectT The world would, perhaps. be
better off if the "human heart was not de- |
ceitful above all things and desperately |
wicked, and so it would be if everything |
could be transacted openly and above
board, and the whole inner life and
thoughts of each individual were known
and read of all men. Such an Utopia
would be blessed world to live in, but it
can be no more attained than the charm of
secret associations can be eradicated from
the human mind. Taking the world as it
H. what Is the best course to pursue in ref
erencc to secret societies Is ANYTHING
gained by systematic course of oppres-
sion and persecutionI This course has
been attempted to be followed in the most
despotlc governments of Europe, for the
purpose OF REFRESHING the aspirations of the
people after freedom. To accomplish
thclr end, their we've compelled to resort TO
secrecy, and with what result "The
Dlood OF the martyrs was the seed of the
church, and so the prosecutions of men,
ners' and the attempted suppression of Or
CARNATIONS, caused them to spring nm
hundred fold Injustice can never result
in justice. We do not propose to consider
the question whether secret societies are ex
pedent or incxpedient, because il matters
not so long as they are harmless. We
know moreover, of our own knowledge
mat ihey have been productive of much
good. We know Of many instances where
ny Their eXertions, and solely through
their eXertions, the sick have been healed.
brought to justice, ignorance en-
llghtened, suffering relieved, vice reclaimed.
and character improved While this is the
case with most of the prominent secret So
cletles, there may be others, perhaps
whose aims and tendencies are immoral If
not criminal if SO, their very membership
would determine it, and the force of public
opinion would soon scatter them. if not
irltted away in senseess and causeless at
lacks on all organizations
If men, whose minds are maturcd who
represent us IN the Congress of the United
states and in our several legislatures. men
who are prominent in all professions. trades
aud Industries, thus associate themselves
Is 1t matter of surprise that
young men in college should form similar ,
ass ociations Here, as in the outside world
experience has shown that it is impossible
to prevent the organization of secret on.
cietles in colleges, or to suppress them after 8
once organized. What then shall Inc done !.
with them What course, in the light Of
reason and experience, ought trustees and
faculties to pursue in the premises We
are willing to concede that II would be far ,
better If they did not exist in connection
with colleges but they do, and tho ques- 5