Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1852-08-12
REPORT.

| alton OF clubs Tor the present political cam
paigu, which difference should be obviated
and the harmony of the party restored,
therefore 1870
Resotred, That this meeting respectfully
propose to the gentlemen Of the Hickory
Club that all political clubs in this city be
abolished, and that we and they agree that
10 political clubs shall be formed in this city
that shall be recognized by the Democracy
as opponents of their views and sentiments
during the present campaign, provided the
said Hickory Club will agree thereto.
The committee to whom was referred the
foregoing communication from certain DEM
Gratis assembled elsewhere, have altentively
considered the same, and ask leave 10 re-
port, that as they understand the matter, the
only action on our part, contemplated by the
proposition submitted, is the disbanding of
this club and the question therefore is,
shall Hickory Club No. be abolished?
To this question we presume there can be
but one answer. The character of the Club
ITSELF the urgent need there is of such an as
sociation, in order the more effectuallv TO
present the claims of democracy and adj
vance its interests-and more especially the
history of its origin, so deeply interesting to
every true democrat and well wisher of the
party, all forbid that we should lightly ADAM
don an association SO solemnly and harno-
nious!y dedicated to the cause of truth, of
liberal principles and equal rights.
1t is well known 10 ALL and there is no
reason therefore for attempting to disguise
the fact, that dissensions have for a long
time unhappily existed among the democrats
of Bath. Some two or three weeks ago,
strong effort was made, and we had supposed
perfectly successful one, 10 heal these dis
4 a
mony. 1t must be fresh in the minds of all
ofus that committee of ten was appointed,
consisting of five from each wing of the par
ty, both sections acting in the measure, and
each choosing It's own representatives. To
this committee was confided the important
trust of considering and reporting what
measures should be adopted to restore har-
mony 10 the party, and 10 enable us for the
future 10 act in concert.
Of the fidelity and success, with which the
committee entered upon and discharged this
arduous duty there need be no other tes,i-
monial than this Their report was object
ed to by single individual only. Whether
or not he finally acquiesced in it, is perhaps
not entirely settled But independently of
him, the acceptance of the report, by one OF
the largest democratic caucuses ever assem-
|
nous. 1t was proud day and Joyous one
for the Democracy of Bath.
The report in question consisted of three
parts, to wit-Ihe selection of certain indi-
vduais to be appointed delegates to the
coming County Convention, the designation
of certain persons named 10 be appointed Of
fcers of Hickory Club No. |, which they re-
commended to be organized Oh a platform
anneXed-and a recommendation that the
Hickory Club previously organized and then
in existence, should be disbanded. The
adoption and carrying out each and all of
these measures, it was distinctly stated by
the committee, would efectualIy secure
the harmony of the parry; but that he re-
lection or violation of any part thereof would
te fatal. By adopting this report, the peo-
pie there assembled chose their delegates 10
the County Convention, and they organized
Hickory Club No. ] and chose its officers,
as well as adopted the platform reported
Agreeably 10 the recommendations of The
committee. the Hickory Club first formed,
with which many Of US were associated, was
formally disbanded at its next meeting; and
thus the principles oil the report became the
law of the whole party by its joint and sever
al act. The compact thus entered into was
complete, and as such binding as any COM
Bath.
But at the adjournment of the meeting at
which this great and good work was conslm-
mated, called for the mere purpose of 'in-
Sailing the officers thus elected, and not
half so numerously attended as the original
meeting, motion was made by one of the
committee of ten, (all of whom be it remem-
bered had signed the reporD to reconsider
the vote by which the officers had been chos
en- in order to 20 into new election
Against this we loudly protested, as not only
: parliamentary, but direct and palpable
infraction OF the compact of union SO recent
ly entered into. But a majority of those
present and voting nevertheless proceeded
to adopt the measure proposed and thus 10
nullify, at The earliest possible moment, the
compact of union we all had entered into,
t and themselves had helped to form. And is
, it not passing strange that the men, who
thus violated their plighted faith, whether by
doing the deed themselves, or refusing to
, lift finger TO prevent it, should now make
an appeal to us to enter into another COM
pact, and that too, for the purpose of restor-
ing the lost harmony, which only needed
good faith on their part, to have insured its
preservation =?
We cannot, under present circumstances,
either advise or consent 10 enter into any
new compacts, Jm ace do propose to adhere
strictly to those already formed, and we do
most respectfully invite and urge our bretf-
rem, as they really value 'lhe union and har-
mony of the party, to rerace the unfortunate
step, which it must certainly be hard TO de-
fend, and which, if persisted in, can hardly
fail to be a fruitful and enduring source OF
dscord and rancor.
We cherish peculiar regard for Hickory
Club No. /, its platform, its organization and
its officers. The whole party adopted it,
why should not the whole party sustain it!-
What possible good can arise from abolshing
it! Do you say that it should be done in or
der to restore the harmony of the party! But
what sort of harmony is that, which will not
allow of organization or association, and which
even forbids all attempts to act in concert /
What could the mere disbanding of this and all
: other clubs or associations do towards curing
the discussions of years, so long as people not
only voluntarily indulge in, but fondly cherish
theml All the instrumentalltles In the world
for producing harmony, must be perfectly pow
erless, so long as the willis ranting.
t If your Committee could see in the measure
: proposed, any tendency to advance the best in
terests of the party, they would be eager to
adopt it. But believing as they do, that by
vigorously sustaining this Club, we may make
4 it an efficient instrument in advancing oul
f cause, while the act of abolishng it would
. hardly fail to be fraught with mischief, they
recommend the adoption of the following reso-
lutlons