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 have no ties to the institutions of the country.  The Irishman emigrates, and the Frenchman stays at home.  The one hates his country, the other adores his.  The Frenchman, is a slaveholder and a man—­the Irishman is a serf and an outcast.  The South is naturally agricultural; and the farmer being most of the time in the midst of his growing crops, seeing the open operation of nature, his mind expands, he grows proud and ambitious of all around, and feels himself a man.  He wants no change, either in civil, religious, or political affairs.  He cultivates the soil, and it yields him means to purchase labor.  He becomes attached to home and its associations, and remains forever a restrained