New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-06-25
The Dark.Lam:. IA Democracy.

The Democratic party seems instinctiyely
to choose darkness rather than light because
their deeds are evil. Secret organizations
are the machinery which best suits their
character and are most effective In accom-
plishing their mischievous designs. They
were the first to rush into the know-nothing
movement, and only condemned it because
they were ..outgeneraled in their attempts to
use it to advance their political schemes
They were the originators; and now contrast
the Grange organizations, a secret, rattle
Drained, dark-lantern association, nomina1y
formed to promote the interests of the farm.
ers, but in reality to help the Democratic
party into power. And to a considerable
extent they have been successful.
But they don't seem satisfied with comb-
nations formed exclusively for their benefit
Of the Democratic party. 1t seems by the
statement Of one of their leading organs, that
in some portions Of the country sub-orsan-
cations within their ranks, especially intend
ed to. control its movements, dictate its policy
and make its nominations.
The Albany On. " A,gn&, high Demo
cratic authority, in a rcceut issue, declares
upon its own knowledge that "since 1869
there has existed in the city Of Albany a
secret and OaH-dound organization, for the pur-
pose of controlling the Democratic party"
The argus then continues, that having
through this secret organization obtained
control of the Democratic party, there was
not to be an inspector of election who was
not member of. the oath bound league. No
matter what the votes cast might determine,
the inspectors were instructed by the leaders
to return as elected such men as they might
select. No man was to have influence with
the general committee who was not an oath
bound member Of ku kluX. And when
secret conclave was to decide whether they
should be elected Or not. Oaths outside of
the secret conspiracy were regarded as of
no account, and every member was held to
strict account for the performance of his
duty to the Ku Kluy.
Still further, it declares that led on step by
step by the unprincipled and un scrupulous
men at the head Of this oath bound con-
claye its influence went further than we
have yet indicated. Men who committed
crimes were promised immunity from the
laws Of the land. The jury-boX was to
be invaded by the same infamies which had
thwarted and overthrow the liberties and
wishes Of the electors at the ballot-boX, and
crimes of the most infamous character were
by this means defended. And infamy and
wickedness went even to the lowest depths
of crime when plans were laid to put men
out of the way who might obstruct the
complete prosecution Of the designs of these
daring and INSCRIPTIONS plotters. For five
years the Democratic party Of Albany county
has been mainly under the control Of an
organization of the character we have des-
cribed.
This is frank and honest confession, but
a somewhat startling one. If other Demo-
cratic papers would initiate the frankncss and
honesty of the -Argus, we have no doubt that
we should be told that similar dark lantern
societies exist in every important city of the
Union, composed of corrupt and unscrupu-
lous Democrats. 1t is in harmony with the
hidden purposes of the Democratic party and
will partly account for the fact that its m ost
incompetent, dishonest aud corrupt men are
so generally elected to office.