The Portland daily press., 1873-06-26
Secret Societies In Politics.

plars in the nomination OF MI.
Dingley at Bangor. The Argus alleges
that the nomination was ehected py Tue
Vaccinations of this society; and the journal
categorically denies that the society took ac-
ton In the premises. 1t is fair to assume,
without any disrespect to our neighbor, that
the Journal is the better authority on Good
Templar topics, and consequently we ex-
pressly disclaim, in what we shall now say,
auy reference to the contest for the guberna-
torial nomination, which eliminated at the
Republican State Convention last week. The
agitation of the subject, however, affords an
opportunity to consider the general question,
which is rapidly assuming consequence, how
far secret societies for special political pur-
poses, can be safely permitted to carry such
purposes to successful issue.
In despotc nations, where freedom of dis
government is not rermitted,it may be essen
tial for the safety of subjects to form mystic
leagues, in order to obtain opportunity for in
terchange of views and organization for con-
cert of action. In our country, no such me-
cessity exists. ANY number of men, holding
like opinions, may fairly and openly meet,
discuss any questions which may be of inter-
est to them, and form such organization as
they choose, to make their conclusions practi-
cally effective. There is no need of tyled
doors nor mystic signs in political organ
izations, and the American people are keenly
and Justly jealous of any such mysterious
combination, and will in the future, as they
invariably have in the past, put the seal of
reprobation upon 1t with unmstakable en-
phasis. 4H4t
Just at this time there seems to be sort
of epidemic of secret political organization.
We recently chronicled the establishment IN
this city of an order of the "Patriotic Sons of
America" with purposes somewhat analo-
gous. we should Judge, to those of the old"Na-
tive American or "Know Nothing lodges,
which were so conclusively placed under the
popular ban in their day. On the other hand,
certain Irishmen propose to establish next
month at Cleveland, an "Irish Union for
political purposes directly contrary to those of
the "Sons of America" The Boston Pilot,
the ablest Irish journal in America, takes
strong ground against this proposed action,
as quoted by us yesterday. In Massachusetts,.
the opponents of the paohibtory law are max
ing secret organizations for political action in
furtherance of their views, forming potent
weapon fitted for the hand of Gen. Butler, or
some ether equally INSCRIPTIONS demagogue.
We quote from Boston paper an account of
the formation of one of these s'branches."
Branch No. 2O,of the new secret political or
ganization for Suffolk County, has been organ
lied in Chelsea, and already. it is said, has
large number of members. This new organiza-
tien is very quiet and secret in its movements
1t is organized by Counties and the head Gen.
tire" is located i'll Boston. 1t is intended to have
branch in every city and town in the State
before the State election. The order is organ
lied for the purpose OF operating at all the eau,
cusses for the nomination of town, city and
State officers, and more especially to obtain con-
troll of State and municipal affairs, by placing
good men in Office, who are liberal in their
views, and opposed to all fanatical laws now up
on the statute books such. for example as the
prohibitory law, and against all special legisla-
ton for railroads and speculative monopolies.
Its object is also to have heState reimburse all
persons who have had any property seized, for
which they were assessed, and upon which they
nave pau q Clty VI tOWu tdAs ~ 10 odiQ uude .
large amount Of money is being raised to fur
Their the object of the organization, and make
clean sweep at the next State election. The
motto on the seal of the new order is Eternal
vigilance is the price of Liberty" The order
proscribes no person from being member, on
account of race, color or creed. The branches
holdmeetings fortnightly at the present time.
Conversely in our own State, the profess
sional Temperance men" have secret leagues,
which are likely to be used, it is alleged, tor
political Purposes by designing men, though
organized for other and more praiseworthy
objects. The private members of these bodies
are undoubtedly honest and sincere men,
with clean hearts and single purpose to OPP
pose rumselling; yet they are likely to fall in.
to the hands of blatant hypocrites and dema-
gogues, who make loud but selfseeking pro-
LESSONS of devotion to the good cause of tenn
perance. To indicate this tendency, we quote
= paragraph from the printed report of the
quarterly meeting of the Knox County Lodge
ofGood Templars, held at Rockland a few
weeks ago.
A resolution recommending fidelity to tenn
perance principles in the coming political
campaign, both in nomin ating candidates and
constructing platforms, was adopted without
debate.
This was adopted in open meeting, and is
all well enough. We quote it only to show
that the order is likely to become committed
to political courses.
Now this matter Of secret combinations
and conspiracies, as means for political pow
er, is all bad. The fact that small minority
of the people, by such organizations, may
swoop down upon the caucuses and conven-
tons OF the political parties, and utterly rout
the unorganzed masses, who have been nee
essarily unconscious of the plot, and are I'M
prepared to effectively meet il, has tendency
directly subversive of Republican institutions.
There is natural, popular feeling of distrust
and hostility against political "rings' of all
kinds, even though their movements and
purposes are openly avowed and fully under
stood, so that they can be fairly met; but
these secret bodies are far worse and more
dangerous class of ''ring," and should be
sternly and relentlessly discountenanced and
driven out of existence, under whatever spe-
cious guise they present themselves.