Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1832-10-11

he was poor. r."-However, the old gen
tleman ought to be excused for the folly
of uttering his aristocratic feelings, as he
is now in the neighborhood Of 80 years
of age. John Hall, of Wexford; Richard
Shaw, Geo. C. Shaw, David Anthony of
Portsmouth; Nichols Hassard, Augustus
Peckham, Jr. of Middletown; George
Peckham, of do; Samuel Peckham, do;
Felix Peckham, Jr. do; Benz. T. Shelf
field, and one other distinguished anti
mason from that town, who asked it as a
particular favor that he should not be
mentioned as being at that meeting; Jno.
C. Clarke, WIN. Price, and two or three
others, names not recollectcd. In the
rear of the whole and outside the railing,
amongst number of laughing spectators,
was our humble self, squeezed up in an
uncomfortable corner, with a dim light
and broken pencil ,endeavoring to catch
the words Of wisdom which fell from the
lips of the speakers.
II Before the meeting was organized,
! there appeared to be a considerable nn-
easincss manifested on the part Of Messrs.
Pearce, Case, and Ennis, in their fire.
quently passing and re-passing from the
room where the meeting was held to the
lobby, but after a number Of apparently
agitated s. earnest consultations between
these gentlemen, they all three entered
the room, when
Mr. Ennis nominated Dutee J. Pearce
for chairman, and the vote being put was
carried unanimously, there being three
votes in the affirmative, and none in the
negative.
Mr. Ennis then nominated George Bo-
,ren for Secretary, who declined, saying
that he was not much used to such busi-
ness, and thereupon returned the compli-
ment by nominating Mr. Ennis who was
also chosen unani'nously-there being
one vote IN the affirmative and none in
the negative.
Mr. Pearce then rose with the newspa-
per in his hand containing the notice by
which the meeting was called, and said
that GALL that he knew of this meeting
was contained in the notice which he !
would read" After reading the notice !
and waiting considerable time for some
person to speak, Mr. Pearce then very
briefly and guardedly explained what he
conceived to be the objects the notice
had reference to-observed that state
of things now exists in Rhode-Island
which never existed before two sets of
Presidential Electors were already be-
fore the public, and the probability was
there would be a third-believed that
the Electors agreed upon by the Conven-
ton holden in Providence were in prin-
cipe anti-masons, and would vote for
Writ in the event Of their votes being in
sufficient to secure the election Of Clay;
and then proceeded to explain why he /
believed those gentlemen to be anti-ma-
sons. Mr. King, he said, with the other
Senators chosen in 1881, it will be re-
wrote in answer to the anti
committee, his views upon the
subject of masonry, and there was there
fore no doubt as to his being an anti-ma-
son.-As to Col. Wilbur, Mr. p. said he
knew him to be an anti-mason in his
heart.-In relation to Judge Peckham,
he could not speak with so much conf
dence, but presumed he, also, was an
anti-mason.-As to Mr. Ruggles, he said,
that if his declarations were to be credit
ed, and they certainly were, he, also,
'cas right upon that subject--they being
all anti-masons, he should therefore vote
for them himself.
ln relation TO the antimasonry ofthese
gentlemen, as set forth by Mr. Pearce,
we will only say, that in making those
assertions he spoke unadvisedly, and
without the authority Of either Of those
Electors. We know that they are nei-
her masons nor antimasons-that they /
ire true, genuine National Republicans,
n the very broadest sense of the terms;
hey are friends Of the American System
Ind the best interest Of the country, and {
'njoy the entire and unreserved conf !
|ence of the National Republican party. I
Mr. p. further remarked, that the an
party was composed ofrespec-
able men, and had nominated list Of ,
electors which would be supported by
numerous individuals.
Mr. Pearce sat down and waited con- {
iderable time for some body to speak, 7
nd finally getting nearly out Of patience j
ose and said that che did NOT wish 10 do ,