A SECRET SOCIETY.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4704, 4 February 1884, Page 2

A SECRET SOCIETY.

A correspondent to a London paper whose faith is beyond question sent the following letter, written by one of the unfortunate men who has been induced to. join one of the American-Irish secret societies:— fcopx.] November, 1883. * * * You are very lucky in escaping by refusing to join our party. I wish I had taken your advice, and > never joined. Everyone is watching the other. I will give you some idea without telling any secrets. lam a paid officer, receiving about £2 15s a week, and my duties are to make myself acquainted with the whereabouts of my two hundred and twenty-eight men continually, to whom by a number I give a sealed order, and I do not know where he is ordered, everything being done with the greatest secrecy by ballot. The written orders are sealed and whoever is lucky or unlucky enough to have his number drawn must proceed on his mission. There may be ten, or only two. None know each other's bus ness, though it may be the same. I think there are gome in the Post-office, as it is known at head-quarters, whetr you get a letter, and from where and whom. Such is the system of spying into your private affairs, that had I not been'sent to , ..'.\' r"'*: I probably never would have heard from you, as I got the letter from M——, and wrote through her to you. Theire are about twelve thousand in the city of , not including the bar-room men, who have the privilege of getting men to>' join. I would give worlds to be out of it, sincel must write in such guarded languages I question really sometimes ,if even, my thoughts are my own. The old man has thoroughly reorganised everything since* the last great failure on the above principle. There is something in contemplation, as thirty of my party are gone, and they ail received English money before leaving. I am sorry I cannot tell you more. One thing I can tell you, though— i c., no one is recognised here as an Irishman who does not belong to us ; they arts enemies. I believe the policy (mistaken policy) to be to strike terror into the hearts of all enemies, then they will clamour to the B Government to throw our conn. try over to their own resources. What nonsense, as if they could by their blood-thirstiness frighten an Englishman. When I was in the King's. I learned! better. I don't think I would have joined only for my brother, who asked me when dying to take his place. I don't like to., say anything now he's dead, but I do wish he had died a day sooner. My old friend, it's a dreadful life, frightened of your greatest friend; there are attached to the special party over two spies, nearly every State has its own numbers, all sub* ordinate to the 0.M.; it's known when you are out, &c. If the B. Gov. would put a little pressure on, all would soon be disbanded. I know a Congressman who thinks the samo. It i« cruel, and very cruel. When once you have taken the oath, then you have virtually surrendered your liberty. If wanted you must go, and at once ; no time to say good-bye, as they are afraid you will per> - haps tell your wife where you are going. You are watched to the station or steamer, and watched till you return (if you do return—many don't). There are scores of our men in England. I hope no harm will attend you. I am directly against this policy, but we against it are few, and arelooked upon with suspicion. There is one thing thai gives me a little happiness, i.e., ■' now that I am a paid officer I remain at headquarters. Our oapital is very large. Send your letters to A. M. for me; don't, for the life of you, send it here» as its, contents ape sure to be known. . ■-"' I\S.—Will tell you more in my next. Can't tell how long before I will be able to write..