Dtmncrat nub tfrnlintl.
riciiakd wits::::::::::::::::::iikxrt c. devixb
s '. - i
WHITE & DEYIKZ, Editors and Proprietors.
EBENSBTJRG.
TnURSD AY ' MORNING :::::::::::-.:M ARCH 22.
"-. &-J. C Noox, Esq., on Wednesday morning,
started on a trip to Kansas. Daniel J. Davis,
David Evans, and William Walker, also . 'eft at
the same time in company with Mr. Noon, bound
for California, by the ovcjland route. '- Thy leave
with the kind wishes of many fiienda for their
future success and prosperity.
Removaju.' Our fellow-townsman, Mr. Eatkiel
Hughes has removed his stock, of goods to his
new store room, which presents- a beautiful ap
pearance, and challenges the attention of the bal
ance of our merchants, who should follow suit.
Mr. II. has received an additional stock of goods,
which he Is offering at reduced prices. Give him
a calL - ' . . ? ' . : : " .
r Ebexsdubo Focxdby. It will be seen by an
advertisement in to-day's paper, that Mr. Edwabd
Glass Jiuslaken charge of the Ebensburg Foun
dry. .We understand that the establishment paid
well while under the control of the eld firm, and
we have not the least doubt that the present pro
prietor will still make it more profitable, as he
combines all the necessary qualifications to carry on
that branch of business to the satisfaction of all
who may feci disposed to patronize him. The es
tablishment has lately uaderwent considerable
improvement, and additional machinery has been
procured, which will enable him to turn out work
more speedily thaa heretofore.
. " , . ; Diseased Public Sentiment.
A few days since, a fighting blackguard, was
killed in a pugilistic encounter in the city of New
York. His life had been a continual conflict with
the civS powers, and with moral rights. From
afly life, he addicted himself to the haunts of the
Vicious and depraved ; and in the encounters, of
th'ring," or the " reports of the Police," the
name of " Bill Pool", was prominently conspicu
ous. His death has given cause for a popular
demonstration ; and as his corpse was borne from
Christopher street, to the hole that was dug for it,
in the vicinity of New York, it was followed by a
large " Cortege" of friends f
' ' The followers of the procession, rejoice in the
name of "KNOW-NOTHINGS." This was their
first demonstration, and the curious gazed with
wonder, at the motley group of scoundrels as they
passed in their way. '
I To the right thinking portion of the American
people, this demonstration presents a subject of
National reproach, and of deep dejection. First,
honors are munificently showered upon the re
mains of a man, who had alone distinguished him
self, by breach of the laws of his country.
Next, in the ordinary progress of things, the "gal
lows" will become the only passport to posthu
mous fame. .
, That public feeling will repudiate such sickly
manifestations, is what we believe. But we re
gard it as our duty to stamp the impress of cen
sure upon them, the moment they become appa
rent. -
i m
. The Ostend Treaty.
' Mb. Bcchasax, Mb. Masou, asd Mb. Soule.
The Commissioners congregated by an extra
judicial call, met at Ostend, in Belgium. They
adjourned for a " second sight'', to Aix Le Cha
pel Is, in France.--
" The result, at which these " three wise men"
have reached, is, thit to taka Cuba from Spain, is
a national necessity; authorized by the urgency
of the case!
, The argument of the trio" amounts to this-
If Cuba can be stolen, the United States should be
the thief. If it is to be conquered, the Lancaster
Lawyer can give the moral for the right of eject
ment, and a J I Jib. Ft. Fa. Possessionem, with
costs.
The people of this country do not recognize the
right that these self-appointed arbitrators have
assumed. They do not, and will not feel bound,
by their self-assumed authority.
, :f" ' ". , The Crisis.
There are issues outside the farms of the Na
tion, which are calculated to make Patriots feel
' for their ground. The death of the Emperor of
Russia, and the consequent accession to the dig
nity of thaCzar, of Alexander II., has been among
the facts which death establishes,
v Of the policy of the young man who succeeds
"Nicholas the first, we know nothing, and we care
less. " '
It is enough for us, as Americans, to be prepa
red to meet the meditated mischief that France
and England intend to exercise towards us.
. Since 17 So the policy of this nation has been
pacific It will never change! . And the slum
bering echoes of broken hopes, foiled in Russia,
are attempted to resound against the United
States. '
:: We are ready to meet the "mountebanks" fresh
from the fields of their recent disasters. We hold
ourselves ready, under the Providence of God, to
meet the surges that scoundrels from the other
continent may meditate.
- The glory of England is sunk. She has dam nod
herself by the ignominy of her example, and the
impotency of her troops. -
Nicholas though be bo dead, has lived long
enough to witness the decadence of England.
After realizing that event, he had room to die in
peace. .- .. .'
- The Emperor of France iboeld exercise the good
cense the M Continent" has already given 'him
credit for. If Le raises, over the boOes of the
marJwho has beaten him, and England, the theatre
of a new war, we will welcome him in the eloquent
language of Cor win, with open hands and hos
pitable graves" on the tbores of America Let
them r!'
' Death of J. Ellis Bonham. "J
The Democratic Union of Wednesday makes
Ihe following announcement ; - ; v
The telegraph brought to us yesterday morning,
the sad intelligence that our friend, J. Ellis Box-
ham, Esq., of Carlisle, had departed this life.
We can hardly yet realize the melancholy truth.
In the prime of life, in a'.l the vigor of intellect
and of manhood, it is hard to believe that he has
been cut down by the insatiate archer, that the
grave has closed over him, and that we shall look
upon him " no more forever." It seems but as
yesterday that Le stood before us in tl.c bloom of
health, ambititn sparkling in his eye, and his
whole sour inspired with the magnitude of the
great contest in which he acted bo conspicuous a
part and now, alas ! Le " sleeps the sleep that
knows no waking.". Peace to his ashes!. -His
death will create a void in the Socud circle which'
will not soon le f.l'cd and when the political
charge is again sounded the Democratic party
will nus; the clar;on voice and 6age counsel of one
j of its Molest and most eloquent champions. :
- Communication
. . Ftr the Democr.at If Senliud.
. Messrs. Editors : Immediately after the first
effort was made by the Legislature of this State
to elect a United States Senator, an editorial arti
cle appeared in the AlUghanian denouncing Simon
Cameron, and protesting most vehemently against
his election by the 'Legislative Convention at it"
next meeting. - In his last week's issue, the Editor
of the same paper has ' seen fit, in Li trus!tde
against Gen. Cameron, to call to his aid the col
umns of the Pennstjloanian, and published a long
article from that elaborately classical but malig
nant journal, abusive of Gen. Cameron and of
every man who is even suspected of being "Lis
friend. -
i I presume the Editor of the AHeghanian is well
aware of two things : first, that George S. Kiko
represents Cambria County in the lower branch
of the Legislature: that he received his nomina
tion at the hands of a Whig County Convention,
and that he was warmly supported by his prede
cessor It. L. Johkstos, Esq : secondly, that the
aforesaid George S. Kixo, on every billot that
was had, as well at the first as at the last meeting
of the joint Convention, uniformly cast his vote
for Simon Cameron, and that he is known at Har
risburg to be one of Lis most steadfast supporters.
On what rue of political ethics therefore can it
be explained, that Gkoge S. Kiso, who voted
on five ballots for Gen. Cameron, has thus far
escaped the censure of the indignant editor of the
Alieghanian, while the vials of his wrath have
beeu freely poured out on the devoted head of Mr.
Kino's, first and thus far only choice. Wijl the
Editor be good enough in his next paper, to .ex
plain why he spares George S. Kino but denoun
ces his Magnus Apollo, Simon Cameron 1
' FAIR PLAY.
. Amendments to the Constitution.
The resolutions proposing certain important
amendments to the constitution, passed the
Senate on Thursday by a large majority.
The first proposition relates to the public debts
of the Commonwealth shall never exceed the
sum of five hundred thousand dollars except
in case of war to rebel invasions, suppress in
surrection, or to redeem the public debts of the
Commonwealth : and the money so raised shall
be applied to the purpose for ..which the debt
may be contracted, or to pay such debts, and
to no other purpose.
It is further provided, that to pay the pub
lic debt of the Commonwealth, and debts which
may hereafter be contracted in case of war, to
repel invasions, to suppress insurrection, and
to "redeem the public debt, the Legislature
shall at their next session, after the adoption
of this section into the Constitution, provide
by law for the creation of a sinking fund which
shall not be abolished till the said public debts
be wholly paid, to consist of all the next an
nual income from the said public works and
stocks owned by the Commonwealth, or by
any other funds arising under any revenue
law. now existing, or that.niay be hereafter
enacted, so far as the same may be required
to pay the interest of said debt, semi-annually
and annually, to reduce the principle there
of by a sum not less than five hundred thou
sand dollars, increased yearly by compound
ing at the rate of not less than five per cen
tum per annum ; the said sinking fund shall
be invested in tie loans of the Commonwealth
which shall be cancelled from time to time in
a manner to be provided bylaw. No portion
of the sinking fund shall ever be applied to
the payment of the debt of five hundred thou
sand dollars, mentioned in the first " section of
this article, but the said sinking fund shall be
applied only to the purpose herein specified.
The credit of the Commonwealth shalL not,
in any way, be given'or loaned to or in aid of
any individual company, corporation or associ
ation, nor the Commonwealth hereafter become
a joint owner or ttoekholder in any company,
association or corporation, in this Common
wealth, or elsewhere, formed for any purpose.
The Commonwealth shall never assume the
debts of any county, city, borough or township
or of any corporation or association, unless
such debt shall have been contracted to repel
invasion, suppress insurrection, or defend the
State in war. Th second proposition relates
to municipal subscriptions, and provides that
the legislature shall never authorise any coun
ty city, borough or township, by vote of its
citizens or otherwise, to become a stockholder
in any joint stock company, associations or cor
poration, or to raise money for or loan its cred
it to or in aid of such company or corperationr.
Hear Benjamin Franklin.
It is an unfortunate circumstance, for Know
Nothingisni, that the testimony of the fathers
of the republic is all against it. To that al
ready published, we add the opinion of Benja
min Franklin. During the discussion atten
ding the formation Constitution, ho said:
"IJe should be sorry to see anything like
illibility inserted in the Constitution. The
people in Europe are friendly to this country.
Even iu the, countries with which wa have
lately been at war, we have now, and had
during the war a great many friends, not only
among the people at large, but in both houses
of rHrliarnent. Iu every other country in
Europe all the people are our friends. We
found in the course bf the revolution that many
strangers served us faithfully, and tiat many
naticet Uok part against their country. When
foreigners, after looking about for some other
country m which they can obtain more happi
ness, give a preference to ours, it is a proof of
attachmentrwhiek ought to excite our-coafi-
J deoce. and affeeiica ---
Death of the Czar Nicholas-'
By the Africa which arrived at Halifax yes
terday, we have the important announcement
of the death of Nicholas, Czar of Russia: This
intelligence was communicated to the House
of Peers by Lord Clarendon on March 2d.
It came from two points Berlin and the Hague
and in both instances was telegraphed by
the British resident ministers at these sitties.
Lord Palmerston made a similar statement, on
the same evening, in the House of Commons. -There
seems to be no doubt of the correctness
of the report The Emperor had been suffer
ing from at attack of influenza, but his death
was occasioned by r.: pulmonary- apoplexy.
Nicholas I., Paulovitch, will be succeeded by
the crown prince, Alexander, who is thirty
seven years of age. He at present commands
the Imperial Guards of the army, and is sta
tioned at Warsaw as chief of that division. '
The late Ercperor was a man of daring and
unequalled ambition, of great powers of endu
rance both a mental and physical capable of
planning vast enterprises and gifted with those
qualities & mind which enabled him to grasp
the necessitities as well as the outlines of all
his schemes : His bold resolute bearing, com
bined with the serious, religious clement of his
character, made him almost a god with the
Russian people, who are supersticiously in
clined, and wedded to the Greek. Church as
firmly as they are to the Ituseian Emperor.
In the early part of his reign Nicholas laid his
iron hand with terrible severity upon a budding
rebt-lion against his authority. One "bloody,
remorseless sacrifice was enough. It exhibited
the character of the roan to his people ; and
those who loved Lim not, at least desisted from
any further machinations against his authority.
The one main object that, lika a star, led
Nicholas all his life-long journey, was the glory
and renown of Lis empire. For that be lived,
labored, and fought fierce battles, both on the
field and in the Councils of Nations. , , With
hun Russia was all He had dwelt upon the
past with all a student's love, with all : war
rior's stern delight, and what his ascesters
had begun he determined, to carry forward.
This promise has been kept faithfully, and in'
the midst of a war partly national, fully reli
gious. But still intended to strengthen. Rus
sian influence" in Europe, death closed his
eventful career. . , ,
'., What effect the death of Nicholas will have
upon the present conflict cannot ven beur
prised at this early day. It is said that in
Europe the peace party are sanguine that it
will be followed by a cessation of hostilities
and permanent peace. But that is mere con
jecture. Alexander was not only deeplj attach
ed to his father as a son, but as a statesman
he placed the most unbounded confidence in
the purity of his motives the comprehensive
ness of his plans, and the fidelity of his patriot
ism. He knew the secret springs and motives
which actuated the late Emperor, was familiar
with all his plans for the future, and hence
will not rudely be driven from that course
which commanded the confidence of his father
while living. Besides an abandonment of the
campaign, immediately at the death of the Em
peror would be a reflection on his conduct not
likely to receive the crown Prince. Like his
father, Alexander has now a historical charac
ter to sustain. The glory and renown of
Russia is committed to his care. - The war
commenced by the late Czar is not without a
treat leading idea. With that iihut -Alexon .
er is familiar. To it he no doubt gave his
absent, and hence any peace to meet his con
currence will have to bring with" it the darling
objects of Russian ambition. In this light we
view the death of Nicholas! It does not, to
our mind increase the chanses of peace, though
it may produce a material change in European
policy on the part of the Allies.
From the Boston Post.
Lieut Gen. Scott Bombards a Whig and
Know-Nothing Falsehood.
Hon. Wm S. Durnell, the anti-slavery
Know-Nothing member of Congress from Mas
sachusetts, having asserted in his lectures in
Cheshire county, that the Catholic vote was
offered to Gen. Scott at the late Presidential
election, several persons who heard him deter
mined to get at the truth of the matter, and
therefore addressed a letter to the distinguish
ed veteran, who returned the following reply.
It is a clincher : - ;
Nkw York, March 1, 1855.
Gektlemen : I have just received through
the Hon. Mr. nibbard, M. C. at Washington,
your joint letter, dated the 24th ult., in which
you pay to me that, in some recent political
addresses, delivered in your neighborhood,
and in your presence the speaker declared
substantially that in the last Presidential can
vass.
"Bishop Hughes, of New York, proposed
to Gen. tscott ; to sell the Catholic vote, who
hesitated to reply ; when the proposition' was
made to uen. Fierce, and excepted, ana a
Jesuit was placed at the ' head of the Post
Office Department. That Bishop Hughes de
mands were assented to by the party to whom
he first proposed, except that it demanded a
cabinet officer, upon which you hesitated ; and
the proposition was made to Gen Pierce, and
he assented.
Andvour letter to me is thus concluded
' Believins the statement to be false and
basely calumnious of the fair fame of yourself
and the other distinguished gentlemen impli
cated thereby, we would respectfully request
of you to inform us at your earliest oouvenience
whether the statement of Mr , so far as
it relates to you, is true." : ; '
I hasten to say that the statement or state
ments I have quoted from your letter, as above
are in respect to myself, ABSOLUTELY
FALSE, and J have no daubt they are eqvally
so in respect to my political friends and oppo
nents in the canvass alluded to.
I remaint gentlemen, with great respect,
your ooeuieut servant, .
i . WIN FIELD SCOTT.
Horrible Affair. The Kosciusko (Miss.)
Sun. of the 17th ult., has the following :
A report has reached Kosciusko, that Dr.
Woodward, who formerly preached at. this
place, was recently stabbed by an expelled
member of the Methodist church, at Port Gib
son. It is said that the Doctor expired im
mediately after receiving the wound. The
particulars of the horrible affair are, that the
person who muraerea air y oodward had
made application to be reinstated into the
church, and all the members consented except
Dr." Woodward. The excommunicated mem
ber became indignant," and while the trial was
in progress, he rushed upon Dr. VY oodward
and stabbed him to the heart, in front of iho
pulpit of the Methodist tharch. . '
SUMfiTARY OF NEWS,
(XJ-Tlie farmers of Delaware complain of a se
vere drought. '
Ocj-The Missouri Legislature adjourned on the
5th, without electing a Senator.
C3The Tork river (Na.) railroad is under con
tract, and the work progressing.
(jCf-The Iowa papers record the nurdcr of Maj.
Hamilton, an old Indian trader, by the Indians.
frGen. Wm. Trousdale, of Tcnn., is put up by
the Summer Flag for the office of President of the
United States. . . . .' . . s .
, fr-Hon. A. C. Dodge, the new minister to
Spain, will sail from New York in about ' two
weeks. . , . r'
O-The Richmond Va.) Dispatch notices new
Irish potatoes as large as cherries, raised in a gar
den in that city. .V r .
03-About 200 bogus half dollars and $110 in
notes were found four miles from Columbia, Pa.,
a few days ago. , ; ' .
iOc-George W. Williams, Esq., declines being
the candidate of the temperance party for Gover
nor of Kentucky.
OCr-The bill repealing Tavern licenses passed
the House of Representatives in the Pennsylvania
Legislature on Friday, by a vote of 47 to 30,
frJ-Wm. &. Tnomp6on, a tax collector at Fitts-
burg, has been arrested on the charge of being a
defaulter for $4,827. -" '. ' "
V 03-The Russian Minister at Washington pro
nounces the " Death of the Czar" an unmitigated
humbug i
CCr-Tbe Sheriff of Holmes county, Ohio, is on
his way to the city of Balse, in Switzerland, to
bring back Shrock, the defaulting treasurer.
OrOn the 3d ;nst., 20.291 bales of cotton were
cleared at New Orleans, chiefly for Liverpool and
Havre.
&GngTess; at its last session appropriated
$1,484,173 to be expended for the benefit of the
District of Columbia.
03-On Wednesday of last week, 760 applica
tions were received at Washington, for lands un
der the new bounty land law. . ...
03-During the last five months,. 87,888 bis. of
flour hare been imported, and 60,090 Lis. expor
ted Lt Fittsburg. .
03-The slave family laUly purchased in Virgin
ia by Senator Sumner, have arrived in Boston,
and are the Hons of the town.
03-Twelve Puebla Indiana from New Mexico,
en route for Washinton, are at St. Louis out of
money, and intend to return home. .
fc-At an election in' Reading, I'a., on Friday,
W. M. Raird(Knov Nothing) was elected Mayor
over S. Lj. Young (Fusion) by 404 majority.
There were 2,4 84 votes po l-J.
3"The steamship Canada saillTrom Boston at
10 o'clock on Saturday noring, with seventy
passengers for Liverpool and sixteen for Halifax.
She took out $1,267,000 in specie.
03-To the life of Wikoff and Barnura is now to
be added the life of Wm. Poole. Already a pub
lishing house in New York, it is said, is preparing
tne tnatertnt. '
CC5-Baring Brothers & Co., of Loudon, have been
appointed by the Board of Public Works, agents
for the State of Virgin:a for the sale of State secu
rities. fcJ-Rev. B. H. Overby, of Atlauta, was nomi
nated for. Governor of Georgia,. by the Temper
ance Convention, which met at Atlanta on the
22d ultimo. .
GO"The Rev. MrfUraves, editor of the Nash
ville Babtist, who was upon a collecting tower in
Missouri, nearly opposite Hickman, Kentucky,
was found a few days ago, murdered, on the road
side. '
COMr. L. B. Washington, "of Virginia, a near
relative of the eldest brother of Gen. Geo. Wash
ington, is said to be among the applicants for mil
itary office under the recent provision for the in
crease of the regular army.
O-The Carroll county (Va.) mines have deliv
ered, in Lynchburg, since December 1st, 590 tons
of copper ore. The Virginian says that before'
long the copper tonnage of the Virginia and Ten
nessee road will reach a thousand tons a mouth.
jEzra Meach, of Charlotte, besides weighing
400 pounds, has the largest farm in Vermont,
keeps 300 head of cattle and 2",000 sheep, culti
vates 30 acres of wheat, 40 of rye, 25 of corn, 20
of potatoes. 25 of beans, and 50 of oats ; 250 acres
are ploughed, and COO acres are used as meadow.
(r-The number of deaths in Philadelphia last
week were 194; in New York 515.
03-Real estate in Memphis which sold for $4,
000 in 1852, -sold for $34,000 in 1854. Cause,
Railroads!
jtj-Thc bill for the sale of the Main Line of our
Public Improvements, is now under discussion in
the Legislature. , , '
" 09-The Degree of LL. D. was conferred upon
Chief Justice Lewis, of tLe Supreme Court of this
State, by Jefferson College, on Satuaday week.
E3-The Legislature of Indiana have adjourned
sine die, without being able to elect a U. S. Senator,
or any of the State oflicera usually chosen by that
body. - . .
03-Iu the State Legislature, on Wednesday, the
Senate took up and passed finally, by the consti
tutional majority of two-thirds, the bill chartering
the Honesdale Bank, which was vetoed bj Gover
nor Bigler. , '.
; 0Lord Palmerston, the British Premier, is now
51 years of age, but is said to be as hale and "rig
orous as a man of fifty. He first entered office in
1807, and has, sinco that time, played an impor
tant part in the diplomacy of Great Britain.
OtJ-Three buildings, belonginging to Mr. Gares
che's powder establishment at Wilmington, were
blown up on the 10th instant killing two of the
workuwn instantly, and fatally injuring two oth
ers. These are the same mills that were blown
up last season and rebuilt.
lP-Maxwcll M'Caslin, of Greene county, who
was Speaker of the Senate of this State at its last
session, has been appointed by the President to be
Indian Agent at the Osage Bivcr Agency, in place
of Ely Moore. V '
.03-At a public meeting recently held-in St.
TLouis, Col. Thomas H Benton was nominated for
iho Prl?i''rr!''v in I ?f..
KN0W-N0THINGISII EXPOSED!
t The following communication from a highly re
spectable citizen of this county, is published at
the request of the author. The statement is vol
untarily made, and we hoje will put to rest the
doubts heretofore existing in . some minds as to
whether this, secret organization ere bound to
gether by oaths. All who are acqualuted' with
Thomas Mahafkev, Esq., in this county, will
bear testimony to his Ligh moral worth as a citi
zen. It will be useless for the rnembersTf the
order, longer to deny its obligations, or attempt to
screen themselves from reproach. This exposure
fastens upon them two things; first that they
have let themselv8 down to a level with member
ship in it, and secondly that they have falsified
the truth when they denied it. Let it pnss round.
Read it, we say, "and then if any man can bz fosmd
mean enough to advocate such an order in a free
couiitry, and under a Republican form of Govern
ment, let Lim speak. He will deserve credit for
Lis bravery, if not for good sense. Think, bow
ever, while reading, what kind of men they must
be, who will suffer themselves to bo bound by, and
adhere to such obligations. . ; -
Who will deny the truthfulness of the following
statement 1 Isriiot the wotd of an honest man
sufficient ? Other political prrtics, we Lave no
doubtr will be satisfied with it churches will be
satisfied with it ; every association except that of
the Know Nothings alone, will be satisfied with
it. . We submit the statement without further
comment, however, assuring our readers that the
position and character of the author entitles him
to respect and confidence. Clearfield Republican.
.A CARD.
" Bcrxside Tp., Fib. 21, 1855.
, Mesb6. Mooke & Wilsos : Gentlemen, I must
ask the liberty to appear before the public, for
the first time in my life, in the columns of a news
paper. To vindicate my own character, and to
expose the corruption of a secre t oath-bound po
litical combination in our midst is my only object.
I have all my life endeavored to keep my obliga
tions with my fellow man, and intend to do so in
future, whenever sound morality b'nds me to do so
I regret, that duty to my conscience and my cm
try, compel me thus publicly to renounce an obli
gation taken without knowing its extent or its
character." I mean -the obligation imposed upon
the members of the order of " the Star Spangled
Banner" as it has been recently called, but more
familiarly known as the order of " Know-Nothings."
. I became a member of tl.e order previou
to the but election, and took the t-ofir.t deTees.
Tle order to which I belonged wa3 called tut
New Washington C mncil," No. 2S1, ad Le'd
its meetings in the town of New Washington.
Buruside township, Clarfirld county. Pa. The
meetings were always held after night in a secret
manner, in some out-Louse or uuiuhabited build
ing with the windows darkened, and made secure
from observation. One ol their meetings was
called in my wagon shed, being able to find no
better place where the Council could meet without
fear f detection. The instruction to the mem
bers, was, always to approach the place of meet
ing alone, and to leave in the same manner for
fear of exciting suspicion. I must Lere confess
thosl ahnrs felt a degree Of Tceanncs in going
to and returning from those places, that I had ne
ver before feU, and the more I knew and learned
of their secret organization, and their movements,
the more I became convinced that no honest, vp
right, conscientious man cofdd, without gteat vio
lence to his feelings, and an entire surrender of
all self-respect, and dignity of character, continue
in their ranks. I had always before felt the proud
consciousness of being an honest man and a free
man. I had never known what it was tosh: ink
from the gaze of any mau or set of men. I had
always felt, and feel now, that it is a high privi
lege for a " freeman to express his thoughts," on
all occasions and upon all subjects. I have been
taught to believe that an "henest man is the no
blest work of God," and my highest ambition
through life has been to occupy among my fellow
men that exalted position. I soon found however,
that I had been decoyed into a secret society, that
claimed from me a very different character. A
society that not only asked me voluntarily to
falsify the truth, and to act the knave, but actually
imposed upon me an oath in advance by which I
was bound to lie at their bidding. Having with
out proper reflection assumed these oaths, and be
come a member, I concluded for a while to remain
with them and learn what I could of them. I
have now left them and forever ! I shall no more
meet in their secret midnight conclaves, and no
longer hear their impious oaths administered. I
rejoice to feel that I am again a freeman ! Those
whoso consciences will allow them to remain in
their ranks can do so. Doubtless ere this 1 Lave
been expelled from their Council for my denun
ciation of the order, and if so our obligations are
dissolved by " mutual consent."
The nnrcf inn Lpre arises in mv own mind have
I done my whole duty in merely freeing myself
from their unhallowed influences'? Do I not owe
it as a duty to my fellow men to expose this com
bination, and to warn them against what I con
ceive to be the most dangerous political movement
that has ever existed in this country. I know
there are those who will think and say, that I am
violating a high obligation if I attempt to expose
the doings of these midnight orgies, but I shall
content myself with the belief that they are not
those for whose opinions I have much regard. 1
have thought long and anxiously on this subject.
My conscience approves the course. If the judg
ment of the public is rendered in my favor I shall
feel glad ; if not, I shall be supported by the pu
rity of my own motives. . I firmly believe the
oaths administered to be immoral in their ten
dency, and corrupt in their influences. Having
sworn to become dishonest and to practice false
hood, am I bound to keep that oath 1 Laving
sworn, if needs be, to perjure myself in a Court
of Justice, will the Almighty hold me responsible
for the violation of such an obligation. Believing
as I do, that my duty, both to my God and my
country demand at my hands a full renunciation
of all such obligations, can I hesitate ? Certainly
not! Every impulse of my hcait approves the
course I have adopted, and my friends will allow
me alone to be responsible for tha consequences
I shall fettle that account before a tribunal far
above the reach of Krmw-Nothingism, and before
which neither their favort nor frowns can effect
mo. One thing I know, I should not bo alone if
others were not afraid to go with me. There are
; hundreds in th ir rank", whtw r.frr3 frying
dictate the sma course ; and who if they can
summon to their aid sufficient moral courage will
soon fellow in my footsteps. I shall thercfora
proceed to unmask the monster, and expose its
iniquities to the public gaze.
The organization of the secret society to which
I allude, is aftcr the following form. Ia tl.e bo
ginning it was called a society of Know-Noth
ings," and I may be allowed to say the name was
peculiarly appropriate. So Soon, however, as
that name became generally known, they changed
it for another, and then another, until during the
short period of their existence tht-yhave been
known by several appellations, the List of which
known to me was tLe " Sons of the Star Span
gled Banner." There is a Grand Council" for
the United States, th President of whieh Las a
scperinten .laucc end control f ver nil the Coun
cils" in the U- B. There is a subordinate" Grand
Council" for ach State, -with a President wLo
controh tLe ' Councils" iu- the different counties
of the State. The "Grand Council" for Pennsyl
vania is in Philadelphia, and the President Ihercof
appoints an " Instructor" for each county in the
State, who has charge cf the " Council" in the
different townships ia the county. The " Instruc
tor" for the county is st'c dictator and retries all
questions arising fa the " Councils." He orders
when their mwtiug-s shall be held fer milting po
litical nominations, and if the nominations do not
please him. he may order ancther to be held, and
so on until they are satisfactory. He also appoints
for each " Council" a " Deputy Instructor," who
acts for Lim and under his advice and directions.
Each "Council" is bound la everything to the
strictest obedience to its superior. This anaLge
ment Crt a!arrctd me. I joined the crder, be
cause I had been induced to fctr the power i f tte
" Pope." But when 1 learned that the Presider.t
of the '-Grand Council" Lai more power than is
even itiriLuted to the Pope of Piome that he was
constituted for the purpose, and willing to we Lis
power to further the desigr.s of the basest politi?
cai demagogueism, I could not close my eys to
the fact, that he was a mjie dangerous enemy to
the civil kit-tiiutions if our coi n!ry than I Lad
before thought the Pope. I fear now that mv
worst apprcheusions will be realized.
H. BUCHER SWOOrE, cf tl.e Borough cf
Clearfitl J, is the Instructor" for Clearfield county,
and directs the movements of all the " Councils"
in it. He is understood to be among the first
members of the order iu the county. Ia Euvn
iJe township there are three Councils," one
hel l at New Washington, ore rear ratcLins, and
one called the "Crooked Run CounciL" DR.
JAMES M. BUNN is the " Deputy Instructor,"
under Swoopc, for tLe New Washington Council,
and these who know that indixrldval best, can
jude cf the character of the instruction Le would
be likely to impart. I am sure they will net
charge Lim with much moral iuttructiou or many
long jra'jers. In a recent ir-star.ee in our town
ship after a regu'ar nomination Lad been rna4e
and ratified by a vote of the Councils for town
ip officers, these instructors, II. BucLer Sv.-ocj.-e
and Dr. Buun (" a pretty pair") ordered a new
uominfttion to be made, and the Councils as in
duty bound Lad to obey. Ilovr Lus.iliating to
the old inhabitants of the county, who were 'pi
once" in it; earlr acitltncat, and who Lave htA
a voice Ler-jt ofer ; ia its politichl welfexe, tj le
obliged to bow bef jre the dictation cf ens wLa
Las not resided two years in the cotinty. Let
those who are opposed to Foreign influence,"
condemn at tLe same time this kind cf " f jrcirt
interferencfc" and I am with them. No matter
how great a j rofiigate, or hew corrupt the ma
may be, the ' Council" must yield implicit obe
dience to their Instructor." He may hs a gam
bler, a drunkard, a blasphemer cf reliim, and
fresh from the scourges earned by Lis infxny,f.:;d
yet, the By-Laws of this secrtt-oath-boand soci
ety require better men to surrender, not only
their own judgment, hut th"ir teuse of light and
wrong to blindly follow such a leader. Such is
Know-Nothingism, and such its votaries know it
to bo.
The meetings so fer as I attended them, wera
generally occupied in initiating liitu bers. They
Lave no object as far as I can ler.ru, but that of
controlling the politic of the country, and grasp
ing the offices. Ihe President for each Council,'
calls the meetings together by a written notice
unintelligible to any except the initiated. Ho
takes the chair and presides during the evening.
The general topic of discussi n in the Council, b-
f ire the election fast fall was Low to best decoy
the Democrats into their ranks, ciid gcncr&'dy how
te augment their forces, and gain the asctnaancy.
Their hoje is to ride into power, on tLe pepukr
prejudice against tie Roman Catholic cLurch, ard
indeed they are making Tapid strides towards
effecting their object. I could p o with them ia an
honest effort against any political power attempted
cn "the part of that church, and with that object
in view many joined their ranks. But when I
saw that bad men of all parties joined them, and
were willing to prostitute the association, to the
basest political purposes to obtain power, I cotdd
no longer see any bop of accompliaLing the ori
ginal object. Tbey are now composed very largely
of the igoornt, who are to b pitied the bigoted
sectarian, who is more designing, than foolish; the
broken down and disappointed politicians of both
parties : the demagogues who love spoil more
than party, and who fancy they can see a glim
mer of hope ahead ; a part of the clergy in some
of the Protestant churches, who are longing for
power, and who carry with them more or less of
their members: the floating population of the
country, with no fixed principles either moral or
political, usually denominated ? majority men,"
r men who rote cn the strong side if they can
find it. If these classes of men ' combined bve
the numerical strength they will succeed. Tho
order hopes to be able in 1855 to hold ia their
hands sufficient power to secure the election of a
Know-Nothing President, and by obtaining the
reins of government to pc-petuatc their power.
A desperate effort- will be made , perhaps such a
one as this country never witoe sed. In my opin
ion if virtue, intelligence and honesty of purpose is
:n the ascendancy i this country, they will be
defeated; if not. tl ey may triumph. For my
own part, I Lave heretof jre been a Whig, end
have always gloried in the triumph of Whig prin
ciples, but even to accomplish that object the sac
rifice is too great.
The following is a copy of tbyatns, and t lam
ination which every member must undergo, and
subscribe to before becoming a member, u nearly
sal cm reflect. Thit they tr sucetantisyy
G
D n
n