The element of discussion thus introduced into a body
essentially revolutionary, and whose success might be supposed to depend
upon the secrecy, promptness and unfaltering determination of its
councils and of the blows it struck, was thought at the time to be
likely to detract from its efficiency, if it did not endanger its
existence. But the good sense and prudence of the members restrained the
innate Yankee propensity to speech making, and this danger, with many
others, which from time to time threatened to make shipwreck of the
organization, was happily surmounted.
The Constitution having been adopted, the doors of the Committee Rooms
on Sacramento Street were opened for initiation into the body. The
greatest caution was exercised to prevent the admission of any
disreputable or unreliable man. Every person presenting himself was
carefully scrutinized at the outer door by a trusty guard and at the
stair head within by another; and if unknown to them, was required to
be vouched for by two respectable citizens.
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