Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-09-23
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II r
The Anti Know-nothing Meeting
Saloon was densely crowded yesterday afternoon
in accordance with the call, "Freemen, arouse
and vindicate your rights" There was band o
music TO enven the proceedings; and perhaps
the design was, likewise, 10 calm, by instrumental
harmony, any dscordant spirit that might be man
| Tested
Col. Berrct having taken the stand, said (as the
president Of the meeting) that when the adjourn
ment took place on "Wednesday night, the Hon
T. B. Florence, Of Pennsylvania, was on the plat
form, whom now, with great pleasure, he would
introduce 10 the assemblage. He was sure that
there was not man within the sound of his voice
who would say that he asked too much when he
asked for then gentleman patient and respectful
hearing, in order that the intelligence might go
forth that in the metropolis of the proudest coun'
try on earth, bearing the name OF the immortal
Washington, a name endeared to every patriotic
citizen, and TO every lover Of liberty throughout
the civilized globe, who can properly estimate the
distinguishing characteristics which make man
great in the estimation of his fellow-ctzens this
request was fully accorded. And in city which
bears the name Of SO distinguished an individ-
ua, might he not advert with infinite satisfaction,
to an era in the history Of that great man, shad-
owed forth by that emblem Of protection, he might
say liberty, (pointing to national flag, tattered
with age, which was displayed on the right of the
stand,) so valuable to every man who holds him
self to be an American. (Applause.l The history
of that flag was briefly told. II passed from the
hands Of the immortal Washington, the great, the
good, and the protector Of liberty, to Lafayette,
when the latter swore allegiance TO the "stars
and stripes" Of the country. [Renewed applause
He would not, however, further tax the patience
of the meeting by inficling speech on the an-
dence, but would again repeat the request and
bespeak for the several gentlemen, who had been
selected to address the assembly, calm and dis
passionate hearing.
Colonel Florence was then introduced, COM
mencing his address as follows: Freemen, fellow
citizens: The great apostle of American demo-
cracy, Thomas Jefferson, declared that "eternal
vigilance is the price of liberty" and in my judg-
ment, humble as am, there never was before a
period in the history Of this republic when the
sentiment should sink deeper into the heart of
every man who values the perpetuity of our
republican institutions. [Appause.l There is
crisis in the history ofihs country which requires
that every individual endowed with the spirit of
liberty should identify himself with democratic
measures, and come into the organization of the
democratic party Renewed applause.l No new
combination is necessary to protect us in this
crisis The platform Of the democratic party is
sufficient for the purpose Its principles are clear
~nA .,~L 81. L.<n 4
"equal rights and exact justice TO all men," is
sufficient for the purpose Of protecting the liber-
ties Of every man under our glorious Constitution.
[Applause.l Hence / say We want no one-idea
party; We waht no reorganization, nor a recon
struction OF our platform" He then proceeded,
at some length, to show that the principles Of ths
know-nothings are repugnant TO the plain letter
as well as the spirit Of the Constitution; and
pressed the belief that those there assembled
would determine, as one man, "not to have on
their skirts the heresy now stalking rampant over
this broad land"
The Hon. r. II. Stanton, Of Kentucky, next ad-
dressed the meeting in opposition TO the secret
organization Of Know-nothings, arguing that il was
in direct conflict with the Constitution OF the conn.,
try, under which we had continued 10 prosper
until we had become the proudest and most pros
porous nation on earth. II was the duty Of both
Wings and Democrats, who value the civil and
religious liberties bequsaihed 10 them by their
fathers to unite TO put down, forever, the spirit Of
intolerance which now, 10 some extent, pervades
the country. 1--WE were not present when the
speech was delivered; but learned that il was TO
this efect)
Charles w. Carrigan, esq, Of Philadelphia, was
on the stand when we rc-entered the Saloon, say.
ing in substance, we never gave aid and comfort
to traitors, and TO a hand Of political assassins
We never dragged the subject Of a mans religion
on to our political platform; we never discrmi-
mated against any one on account Of his nativity.
We oppose the union Of Church and State. tGreat
applausc.l
We oppose q religious iest as qualification for
Office, and we hold that mans birthplace does
not dsqualify him for political position. In this
we agree with the Constitution, and on this we
are willing to stand or fall, and from this strong
hold we defy the opponents OF constitutional rights.
Renewed and long continued applause, with a
few Objectionable voices.l We are asked TO for.
swear the Constitution, from the outspread wings
OF which have dropped peace, plenty, and hsppi.
ness. Will you do IL Voices, NO." "no.'l
We will oppose such efforts while there is a hairs
breadth OF foothold 10 stand upon. Applause, and
some disorderI We will battle TO the last for the
rights Of the people, for the supremacy Of the Laws,
and the entire liberties Of the people [cries, we
will" ave viii" and applause.l Iwant to reason
with my friends, and want them TO reason with
me. What safety is there in these secret organi.
zsiionsi tAvoice, They would cut our threats" y
That can never be while there is genuine spark
OF patriotism len, tApplauseI
He further continued his remarks, saying, in the
course Of them, that twelve months will not pass
before there will be a scramble for "the spoils.,
Many persons belong TO that organization or
the purpose Of eevsiing themselves TO power
and place. He stood there to warn men ssains,
the temptation Of the dark fallen angel, whose
name is ambition. For the benefit Of his Wing
friends be quoted from a speech Of the immortal
Clay delivered in 1882, in which the distinguished