The New York herald., 1875-12-21
secret soeietle. In Politics.


Light is as necessary to freedom as sunshine
to the earth. When it departs the Republic
will surely die and become like one Of the
dead worlds that revolve aimlessly through
i spaee-barren, useless, extinct. The wisest
men have viewed with alarm the growth of
4 every institution of secret character, or
4 whatever looked to the control Of our politics
through secret influences Even in coun-
tries governed by tyranny, where the friends
Of freedom believe they can only succeed by
secret associations, experience has taught
4 that it would be much better TO have borne
the ills Of oppression than to fly to those OF
| darkness.
Wherever we see secret society in ciyili-
cation claiming to govern political relations
I its fruition is evil Even associations IN
themselves right and inspired by high pur-
pose have become pernicious when they at
/ tempted to control politics. Take as con-
spicuous example the Order Of Jesus. In
spired at first BY the religious enthusiasm OF
Loyola. its members going forth on mission
ary errands, spreading the religion of the
Catholic Church throughout the world dar-
ing misery death and martyrdom, they be-
came llustrious for their meekness and de-
votion. But the moment the leaders began
70 concern themselves with the affairs of
Il State the Order fell into disrepute and its
name became a synonyme for intrigue and in
sincerity. When the society, under wiser
it regained its pristine fame, and is now
respected by all who respect conscience and
courage. So also when politicians attempted
to give the Order Of Masonry political ap-
plication, generation since, the result was
almost fatal TO it, Ii fell into disrepute.
The dark stigma of a crime was thrown upon
its fair name. An Order going back if we
may accept its traditions, for ages, governed
by beneicent, humane policy and existing
only for the good Of mankind, was turned
for the time into a political agency. 1t
would have fallen into decay had it not been
saved BY the wisdom Of its leaders, who
rescued il even as the Order of Jesus was
rescued from all political allances-from
the temptations Of power. Asaconsequence
it now exists the only secret organization in
the world which protects and preserves its
original purpose and is never drawn into
political intrigues.
1t is among the evils Of President Grants
Of tho constitution which have marked it,
that We should now find ourselves in the
presence Of q secret association aiming to
control this country in the interest of free
dom and the Protestant religion" The fact
that such a society exists under the patron
age Of the President is a painful event That
it does exist there can scarcely be any doubt
from the disclosures We print elsewhere
to-day. This exposure comes 10 us from
good authority We give it for what it is
worth. 1t shows q secret oath-bound associ-
alton, spread throughout many Of the States,
based upon opposition to the Roman Church
and for ''the defence Of our liberties against
the Papacy. It is the old business Of Know
1 Nothingism and Native Americanism in a
new shape-the aftermath If that pernicious
harvest. 1t comes in more dangerous
shape, because we believe the President is
the only Chief Magistrate OF this Republic
who has ever willingly courted an influence
like this, springing from bigotry and hatred
and seeking its purposes through intrigue
and darkness. 1t is fruit of the same tree
which has given as Cesarism and ostracism
and fanaticism. 1t is among the phenomena
attending those violations Of the constitution
which began with the illegal appointment Of
a Cabinet, and which thus far have ended in
the dismissal Of an officer of the government
for doing his duty in enforcing the law.
This secret society, 50 far as it is an ex-
preston Of political ambition and so far as
it would foment religious hatred, is an evil
Of the gravest character. The only way to
strike il down is for the independent press
to treat il as the physician would cancer in
the system, the general mutiny in the
army, OF ruler treason in the State 1t
must be rooted out and made infamous
Herein comes that high duty which indie
pendent journalism should welcome with
alacrity. The Independent press like the
independent nation, rests upon public
opinion. So far as it represents that
opinion it is the embodiment Of wisdom and
power. The old partisan press has died
away, fading into oblivion and night like
the Know Nothingism, Native Americanism
and loyal leagues and dark lantern lodges
Of the past Not even as accomplished
man as James Watson Webb, now living in
honored old age, and who, forty years ago,
was conspicuous party editor, could save
it. Mr.. Greeley will probably be remem-
bered a. the only exception to this fate.
Mr. Greeley, by the strength Of his genius
and his personal character, made journalism
power in politics. If he had been elected
| President-and the fact that he was not
may be regretted more and more as
time goes on-there would be no phan-
toms Of C@sarism and ostracism and
dnrnarooisrn and fanaticisrn 10 nfr;rht