endeavor to cause to
be opened to the public all nunneries, monasteries, or convents. Any
minister, holding any place under government, must be Protestant.' When
we reflect on the fact that the Southern system aims at a perfectly
oligarchic unity and consolidation of power, this dread of any external
possible influence, whether religious or civic, will appear natural
enough. Mexico is, however, to be the great field of future action, and
Mexico must be cleared of its priests. The _peon_ system is to be
reduced to '89,' (perpetual slavery.) The successor of 'quack and
confidence Bickley' has a most unenviable task. For this Coming Man--the
present incumbent being occupied with other duties--is expected to
extend slavery over the whole of Central America, with the judicious
saving clause, 'if it be in his power;' to, acquire Cuba, and to control
the Gulf of Mexico. Having sworn himself to all this, and much other
nonsense, and last--not by any means least--also taken oath to forward
to Confidence Bickley all the fees of every candidate whom he may
initiate, the new Knight listens to the following specimen of elegant
oratory from the Secretary:

'You had better hear the whole degree, and then sign; for unless
we have your entire approbation, we do not wish to commit you to
any thing. I am well aware that this whole scheme is a bold and
daring one, that can but surprise you at first, as it did me, and
for this reason I beg to state a few facts for your consideration.
In the rise and progress of democracy in America, we have seen its
highest attainment. In the very outset it was based on high
religious principles, and adopted as a refuge from despotism. In
the North, Puritanism molded it, and went so far as to leave out
the natural conservative element of all democracies--domestic
slavery. As a result, we have presented now social, religious, and
domestic anarchy. From Millerism, and Spiritualism, every Utopian
idea has numerous advocates. The manufacturer is an aristocrat,
while the working-man is a serf. The latter class, constantly
goaded by poverty, seek a change--they care not what it may be.
Democracy unrestrained by domestic slavery, multiplies the
laboring classes indefinitely, but it debases the mechanic.
Whoever knew a practical shoemaker, or a maker of pin-heads, to
have a _man's_ ambition? They own neither land nor property, and
hav