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OR, TRUE AMERICANS? MANUAL. 33
GEN, SAMUEL
Extracts from Grn. Houston's letter of
July 24th, 1855—addressed to W. A. BALD.
win, H. L. Graves, Esq., and others, of
Independence, Texas.
‘6The opponents of the American Order
exclaim: ‘It is a political association, and
therefore ought not to be secret.’ Ireply,
“Yes, itis secret, and its name denotes its
objeets.’ Is it the first secret political so-
ciety that has been organized in the United
States? It is as well known as any other
historical truth, that General WasuHINGTON,
and many of his compatriots of the Revolu-
tion, were members of the Cincinnati Socie-
ty, in which, if lam not under misapprehen-
sion, no man is eligible for membership, even
now, unless he is a native American. Was
not this a secret society? Was it not purely
political? Was not General WasninaTon, at
the time of his death, President of this So-
ciety? I should really like to know what
the. anti-Americans think of this scrap of
history. They cannot deny it. Then I will
ask them, what danger has grown out of
this secret political society? Is this the
only secret political society that has existed
in our country for more than half a cen-
tury? The Columbian Order—known as the
Tammany Society-—highly influential, nain-
tains its existence without danger to the
liberties of the country.
“General Jackson was a member of this
society, and I know prominent statesmen
throughout the nation who are members of
it; and as I myself am one, and understand
its principles, lcan assert they are patri-
otic and national. What say the anti-Ame-
ricans to these facts?
“Gan any sane man believe that Gen.
Wasuincton or Gen. Jackson would have
united with any association or order not
purely American? Would either have en-
tered into political Jeague, where secresy
was enjoined, if they had not approved of
the principles of secresy in political nssoci-
ations? From my knowledge of the charac-
ter of WaSHINGTON, the sacrifices he made
for his country, united with his fervid patri-
otism, and his preference for everything
American, I cannot doubt for one moment,
if he were now living, he would cheerfully
sanction the principles of the American
Order. From my personal and familiar
HOUSTON ON
AMERICANISM.
knowledge of the principles of Gen, Jack
son, Lain confident that, were he living—to
counteract the policy of European poten-
tates and statesmen, to throw upon our
shores their refuse population of convicts
and paupers, to pervert our Iallot-boxes
and populate our poor-houses—he would
most cordially sanction and inculcate tho
principles of the American Order,
* * * % *
*
“The design of the American Order is not
to put down Catholics, but to prevent Ca-
tholics putting down Protestants. The mem-
bers of the Order would not, nor do they
intend to interfere with the Catholic reli-
gion, or their mode of worship; but at the
same time, weare not willing to place power
in the hands of those who acknowledge or
owe temporal allegiance to uny foreign
prince, king, or potentate.
« * * * * *
“T believe the salvation of my country is
only to be secured by adherence, to the
principles of the American Order. ©
* * * * *
‘A vast responsibility devolves upon us,
We are acting in the present, but for all
future generations. Weare accountable to
posterity. We have received a heritage
from our fathers. Shall we regard it with
care, and transmit it unimpaired to our
children? Shall we remain American? Shall
we remain national? or shall we surrender
ourselves to demagogues and party leaders?
Or shall we sell our birthright for a mess of
pottage?
“We havea high and holy duty to perform
to our country; and if we, as Americans,
cannot maintain and preserve our freedom,
is it possible, or even probable, that we will
find .a safer depository in the hands of for-
eigners, or the satellites of a Popo? whose
system of religion pursues all American
Protestants with denunciation while living,
and denies their burial after death in Ca-
tholic countries. Is it a crime oreven a
fault in Americans who seek to resist an
influence so adverse to the principles of free
government? Is it proscription to fortify
ourselves against all encroachments upon
religious or political freedom? If it is
wrong, then lam wrong, If itis right, then
I will maintain the right.
‘Your friend and fellow-citizen,
“SamueL Hovston.”
a ee
Our Couxtrr—Irs Acriceitore, &£0.—As
Arncricans, we will foster and defend all the
great interests of our country—its agricul-
ture, its commerce, its mechanics, and fine
arts, manufactures, navigation, mining, and
science, and literature, against the world.
We urge the promotion and fortering of
all means of moral and intellectual culture,
by permanent provisions for general educa-
tion, believing the Intelligence of the people
to be necessary to the right use and the per-
manence of our liberties, civil and roligious,