Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1854-12-15
knOw-NC
knOw-Nothings Revolving Against the Decree. of
their Masters.

DEGREES
their Masters.
Al general meeting of members of the order of
know-nothlngs OF the city of BROOKLYN held an thu
evening OF the oath nltimo, for the purpose of con-
sdering the late action of the Grand Council of the
State OF New York: the following preamble and reso
lutIons were unanimously adopted and it was re-
solved that the same be printed, and copv thereof
forwarded to each council in the State We give
the capitals as we find them in the New York Fri;
bune:
Whereas the action of the Grand Council of the
State of New York at their late session in Octohar
last, In making an independent nomination for State
omces Wtnout instructions to that effect from the sinh
ordinate councils of the State and without divine
Vhen an opportunity TO participate in the selection Of
such candidates, and when no necessity existed for
such course, lnasmuch as GOOD MEN and TRITE
hau already been nominated by the great political
PaFues OF the State, the nomination of some of whom
was affected by the direct action of this order wae
departure from the true interests and objects of this
order' an unwarrantable assumption of power and in
1Fect violation OF resolutions adopted by the same
Grand Council in June last
AND whereas the said Grand Council adop,ed
resolutions presented by Chauncey Shaffer. puttinr
an unWarrantable and post facto Instruction nnon
the obligations of the members of this order tbernb
endeaVorlng to COerCe and compel them nv Tupr.Ts
and PENALTIES, 10 vote for the candidates so nom,
mated by said Grand Council in direct violation of
the constitution and laws of the land and subyersve
OF the genius and spirit of republican institutions
council, heir
cent session, adopted resolution originally sugoes
tea by II. A. 7. Granbury, requiring the members Of
thls order under certain pains and penalties to CON-
tESS under oath, how they voted at the recent cleo
ton, IN papable violation Of the rights and privileges
secured to- and so highly priced by, every true Amir
can: therefore,
"Resolrcd That we repudate and condemn the
aforementioned action of the Grand Council as ANTI
AMERICAN, ANTI-REPUBLICAN, and the most
UNWARRANTABLE ACCOUNTABLE, and DAN
GEROUS ASSUMPTION of DESPOTIC POWER
ever attempted in this republic; in its COMES.
SIGNAL, PENANCE, and threats of EXCOMMU.
NICATION, only equalled by the holy INQUISI
TON of SPAIN, and only worthy of imitation by the
GRAND COUNCIL of CARDINALS at ROME.
ReS0lced, That any American asserting or yie
ding obedience to such degrading and inquisitoria
acquisitions nherts not the spirit of his revoutona
ry slres, and is unworthy the name of son of rs
and descends to the level of an ignorant Papst
" RsSotred, That we recommend our brethren Il
pause and calmly reflect before they aid in central
Hng so dangerous a power in the hands of body
, who, however pure they may now be, may, at som'
future time, be composed of unprincipled men VIII
regardless of the public interests, will WELD it 70
| their own personal aggrandzement
c. J. SHEPARD, President.
, w. c, HEAToN, Secretary"
W. are not surprised at the action of the Crane
Council Our only surprise is, that any considerable
number of American born citizens, living under Jus
and equal laws, and protesting have higher and
hoIeF regard TOT inc country ana It's Tree institution
than by any possibility be possessed by thos
VINO labor under the accidental misfortune of foreign
birth or foreign parcntage, should surrender thei
conecences, preferences and actions to the keepin
and control of a small body of irresponsible MEM
2 word, that they should become the blind, submits
sive instruments to fight the quarrels and promot
l the official aspirations of unknown to Them @
known on for their faithless and unprincipled ca
e reer as politicians. How humiliating to US, as re
e publcans, is the startling admission in the abov
preamble, that the attempt was made, by threats IN
penGltteS to compel natire AmeTCGns to vote for III
= canddates-not nominated by the knoW-nothng pal
ty at large, but nominated in secret caucus by tn
i Grand Council! Still more humil:ating is the n
less startling admission that the Grand Council pas
: sed resolution requiring the members of the sui
oldinae lodges TO confess, under OATH, eder certai
pains and penalties, hoay they Uoed at the recent ee
r tl0n p
If this is not transferring the sovereign power fro
e the hands of the people into the hands of a secr
: and irresponsible unta does not destroy at
sweep the inestimable privileges and blessings Of til
elective franchise-if its object is not the destructic
h of our liberties as free and independent nation
+ we know not the true meaning OF words, ard al
IS incapable OF penetrating the transparent designs
T. demagogues and tyrants.
n The apprehension expressed in the last resolutio
n relative to the future 1--WE suspect the present is i
l. tended) material of the Grand Council is well fou
J. ded. Such of the know nothing leaders as ha
l. shown their hands, and avowed their identity vii
the new party, have generally been recognised by Il
l. country men of no settled political faith, and wi
II have weared county, State, and national convention
of all parties and factions with their long deferre
p and hitherto not properly appreciated, claims
:, official nominations, or other less equivoca tavOrs
FL Washington Union.
i Report oa Commerce and Navigation.
@ The report on Commerce and Navigation accol