Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-09-21
Xofal anS Ytrsonal.

i Yafal aaS Ytrsoaal.
i The ANTI know-nothtg Meeting Dis
turbance--Premature Adjournment.-In &C
cordance with public notice, nvting "the Demo
Gratis Of Washington, and all those friendly &
equal laws and equal rights 10 meet last even
ing, for the purpose Of organiziug an association
in opposition to the enemies of civil and religious
freedom" several thousands of persons assembled
near Csrusi's Saloon, where stand had beer
erected for the officers and the gentlemen who
had been selected to speak on The occasion; the
star-spangled banner floating at the right Of the
platform. fine band of music performed sew
eral lively airs, including Jordan is a hard road
to travel"
| The meeting was organized by the selection OF
Colonel J. G. Berret as president; Messrs. Maury,
| Key, Radcliffe, J. ID. Hoover, A. @. Allen, Nchol-
| son, Seldom, u. Jones, Hope, Orme, Durbin John
son, A. w Miller, and others, vice presidents and
Messrs. J. d. Clarke, r. McNaherny, Soothall,
Huntington, T. ]. Fisher, and M. Clusky, secre-
| taries.
Colonel Berret briefly returned thanks for the
honor which had been conferred upon him, when,
on motion Of
Mr. Radcliffe, il was ordered that there be APP
pointed committee Of nine, for the purpose of
preparing and reporting resolutions.
The president named the following gentlemen
as the committee: Messrs. Radcliffe, J. d. Hoover,
c. S. Wallach, T. J. Cali, H. s. Davis, Peter Hep
burn, Lemuel Gaddis, and VIM. Morgan.
The committee subsequently reported series
Of resolutions, asserting, in substance, and among
other things that certain secret political organl-
zation, known as the Know-nothngs, has recently
sprung up in the midst of us. and is repugnant 10
the Declaration Of Independence, the Constitution
Of the United States, and the principles ofour re-
publican fathers and Of the Democratic party;
that the meeting will resist to the utmost the de-
signs and purposes ofthis association; denouncing
i as bold and reasonable movement against the
| Constitution and liberties Of the people pledg-
ing the meeting not TO act in political fellow
ship with those who are engaged in the lraitorous
attempt to deprive their feow-citizens OF the free
exercise of their religious principles; endorsing
the wisdom Of the administration of President
Pierce in his domestic and foreign policy, and ap.
proving of his fidelity in sustaining democratic
measures; and asserting that the democrats look
to him 10 purge the several departments of the
government of those who are acting against the
Constitution, and are known 10 be connected with
the Know nothing organization; that the Wash
ington Union, and other journals here and else
where, which have ably and energetically opposed
the Know-n nothing faction are entitled 10 the
warmest thanks and generous support from the
friends of civil and religious liberty throughout
The coun,ry and that, TO carry the foregoing de-
caration into effect, there be organized society
10 be called the Washington Democratic Asso-
citation, the object of which shall be peaceable
enforcement of constitutional rights 10 prevent the
spread OF moral treason and the combination of
the Know-nothings in either general political, or
municipal affairs.
The resolutions were adopted; large number
OF persons, however, on the outskirts ofthe crowd
loudly crying out @no."
The president introduced the Hon. Thomas b.
Florence, who had scarcely opened his lips before
he was assaled with cries Of water y waite"
{" go home" while persons friendly to the objects
of the meeting called out 10 him to Ego ahead y
The noise 10 the assembly was diversified by
groans and "ugers and vociforations of waterm
g waterln
IL Colonel Berret came 10 the front OF the stand,
I
and said, in loud tone, If there are persons here
who do not sympaihize with the objects Of the
meeting, let them retire; or behave as becomes
them as gentlemen and citizens of Washington
But the confusion and outcries, groans, and
g tigers" still continued and loud huzzas went up
from the disturbers on The outskirts.
Col. Florence maintained his position, but was
again assaied with the former cries, in response
to which he said, " Why don't some Of you take
those people awayl1 This was received with
shouts of immoderate laughter Where's the
mayor, asked one. Where are the police p
exclaimed others. The greatest possible confu-
sion prevailed; amid which,
Mr.. Radcliffe asked, "Where are the gentlemen
spectacle Know -noihings OF Washington There
was a time when we did not want the mayor at
our public meetings. We are not 10 be inimi-
dated by the roaring Of lion, much less by the
brsyug of an ass. Laughter by the friends OF
the meeting, and huzzas by its enemies, who
were in strong iorce.l Here is a stranger, and
you refuse TO hear him speak. You did not get
this from your fathers Of 10, but rather from the
Abolitionisis of the North. Your faces are dirty,
and your hands unwashed."
Renewed disturbances in the crowd-screams,
yeIs, groans, and tigers u
Col Berret now veptured on another appeal,
saying never had stranger been refused hear
ing in the federal city.
Mr. John d. Clarke came forward, remarking
that If he had ever said anything against the
Know-nothings, IL was not hard enough, after the
demonstration Of tonight. 81" he said, "hate
the man who does not hate them" He continued
his observations amid the greatest conceivable
confusion,
Col. Florence was still in front Of the stand,
and was loudly invited to go on" His friends
sppauded him, while the enemies Of the meeting
gave three groans and tiger. A voice in the
crowd, abiding 10 the latter "These fellows
would cut their mothers threats. II is disgrace
to Washington Noisy demonstrations from the
1 - II.