The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-11-04
THE KNOW NOTHING CONVENTION AT
UTICA.

CouScn. CHAMBER UnCA, Oct %, 1854.
BREHRKS-Many representatives in the Grand Council
of the State of New York, and large number Of the
order feeling that at the session of that body held
the 4th 6h and 9th days of October 1854 the constiu
ton had been violated their rights tramped upon and
the safety of the order eopardzed invited their brethren
throughout the State appoint delegates represent
them in a council to be held in the city Of Utica on
Thursday the 26h day of October for the purpose Of
considering the condition Of the ORDER and taking such
action thereon might be deemed most conducive to its
future usefulness and best insure the advance of its
principles.
In response to that invitation there met at the time
and place appointed number of brethren representing
large proportion of the members Of the ORDER who
having opened council in due form, entered upon the
consideration Of the following resolutions which, after
calm and protracted discussion, were adopted by .
unanimous vote -
Received, That the constitution under which assem-
A 9Th snd fh upon that sSdy to
members voting II the did only in viola
sioH q sA.. osS.iio s.ss.hsd Ials.
Resolved That selecting candates in accordance with
Council acted direct Violation e the Law
m s ,oss ns nc
Es9i,sS That the ticket nominated y The Grand Council
der We speSSns 70 BY aopng
s,ituton in accordance with its known theories and
The committee upon whom the duty Of presenting
constitution and by laws in accordance with which the
business Of the Order shall in future were
likewise directed to present to you the convictions which
I'D to the adoption of the foregoing resolutions and
which should commend them to your Judgment and ap-
probation In the performances Of this duty, the
mitee feel that the limits within which this communi.
cation must be confined, preclude them from stating all
the which suggest themselves vndicatng the
action they have taken. Convinced Of the integrity
intelligence and candor of their brethren they know
that they may safely pass by the multitude Of arguments
which might be adduced in support Of the propositions
involved in the resolves.
stiuHon under which the Grand Council assembled.
To perusal Of that instrument ask your attention.
with firm conviction that nowhere can be found
single clause which confers upon That body the
power directly to present candidates for State
cmces The very principles upon which 1t Is organised
forbid the supposition that such power intend
Of once Of the representatives to that body xed at
years. must force the conviction that they
never designed to act nominating convention-and
elected BY exceedingly small minores Of the present
members OF the Councs renders IL certain that they
could not be capable q expressing the will Of the
tempated IN the obligation The only duties thay were
intended to perform were legislative not executive
- thsy have assumed; Z their duty to make laws
the people from whom they derived their power with
the propety the State Central Committees of the
various political parties might select the candidates Of
their respective parties proceeding that might be
satisfactory to the most depraved politicians who VIII
follow almost any road that leads to the spoils but
practice which every honest American In the State would
heartily and promptly condemn.
n well UNDERWOOD precept Of the order, that by
no act of it, shall be incurred the risk Of bringing
70 the public knowledge either Of the names of the In
dvfdua!s who are enrolled among its members the
acts which those individuals may perform within the
walls q the Council chamber In corroboration Of this
vew OF what Ne deem the keystone Of organization,
~ s0nenA to Jour attention The following rSsolutiona