The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1855-02-28

The first communication which read is at
tested by the seal Of the Chapter: "Han-
cock Chapter, No. l40," encrcling scroll,
upon which is inscribed "Independence."-
Was ever q sacred seal so shamefully pros
tituted as this Was the sacred term ain
dependence" ever before brought to such
base uses
The other is attested, also, with the seal
Of the chapter-"Columbia, No.7," with an
eagle resting upon shield, in the centre of
the circle Yes, sir, the name Of "Colum-
bia" is thus desecraIed, and the American |
eagle is dshonored as the emblem Of an Or
gani1ation whose members have the impu- |.
deuce and audacity to seek to control, by in-
| Limitations and threats, the representative of
a free constituency. Sir, the dastards have
mistaken their man. They will fail in their
nefarious purpose. No human power can
control my actions, or prevent me from fol-
lowing where my cons cience and duty lead.
Mr. Petty-I rise to point of order
The communications read odly request the
gentleman to do so and 50. do not, there
fore, see that the House has been insulted in
his person.
The Speaker: The gentleman has the
right to decide for himself, what he shall
consider as involving question of privilege.
Mr.. Leigh do not know how, properly
to characterize proceeding like this.
Mr.. Rhodes-The gentleman has not CIV
en- US the attestation on the third communi-
cation.
Mr.. Leigh really hope, sir, that | may
be permitted to proceed without being thus
catechised. Irepeat, sir, that do not know
what to make of, or how properly to char
Iacterizc, these communications. | came
here, and stand before you, the representa-
tive Of $4,000 freemen. rD ""
I do not come here as the representative
of a band of midnight conspirators, who as
q semble in the dark hour, Gin secret halls,
Y barred and bolted and sentineled) when good
men are at their family hearth, or engaged
b in pursuits of honest industry or works oI
benevoence and mercy. | came here, sir
9 not to represent such men-who desccrate
$ the name of ofAmerican-but to discharge my
It duty. openly and fearlessly, in accordance
$ with my best judgment and ability, SO as to
u promote the interests of the State and of the
people This is the duty of an American
legislator; and Amercanism which looks for
such conduct in their Legislators, can un-
derstand and honor. But know Of no such
Americanism as that which seeks to dictat te
to, and trammel, u representative. l spurr
it. 'a
True Americanism is the contrary of wAa
is avowed by these men who claim to be, pa
O excellence, Americans. Am |, sir, not an
!. mericanl Every drop of blood which cours
e es through my veins is American; and ever
d pulsation of my heart throbs in harmony Wit
n the free principles which rest at the base
our free Institutions. am all overhead
= heart and soul-in love with America-m
~ own, my native land love her green hill
and her pleasant valleys. love her nobl
rivers and her broad and verdant plains.
d. love her towering mountains and clear lakes
There is nothing within her broad and sa
cred domain, except slavery and rum, that
rs do not admire and love.
! And am l, in my own native country
es the land Of my birth and alfections-whlc
3 holds all that hold dear on eartt--shali
w. be told by such men as have addressed me-
=" men no, take back the appellaton--tra
n tors to their country am to be told b
an these American Jesuits that shall not, b'
e. at The hazard of their displeasure and the
. prescription, answer my conscience and
nd God as a legislator Shall | be told tn
Fl. American liberty requires this sacrifice !
Ea "Oh! liberty, what crimes are not col
iiP- mitted in thy dear nume!'' From the tape
- try that udorns these walls, The immortal
: ther of his country frowns with indignati
upon such renegades from freedom. a
IN. Americanism how many crimes are
Z tempted from professed love of thee +! w
eau not Connecticut the birthplace Of Arnold
are In what say, Mr.. Speaker, ! do not vi
:, to be understood as denouncipg all who
1rs. long to this order. If did so' should
ned nouncc myself; and certainly man sho
raft respect himself. know very many good
siVe izens-some of the very best--who are
'''O tached to that organization; and it was un
,ble the influence of some Of these my warm
ear sonal friends, that in an unguarded mons
connected myself with the order. But
IS r IN atonement, here, in this capitol, and
,om fore the free representatives Of free peo
.a, and in the sight of heaven, under the An
tenn. lean flag that now proudly waves over
y and in the presence of the great Wash
~ ton, whose memory revere, before WI
,1,ss @ portrait now stand, say, that in doing
n did dishonorable act, of which most
Sew tly repent, and ask the country to for
% 70 me; and here, before heaven and my G G
III trymen, declare myself absolved iron
oartv connection with aud allegiance to the
'fore, ternity. 7''i'.'e' @- .@
v, l have, Mr.. Speaker, written a rep
,.o oio' these would-be keepers of my console
,rd 10 1t is as follows:
Y 1s Brother Americans Your favor OF
18th uItimo,, by the hands OF my este'
Com. friend, Br. Van Arsdale, has oeen rec V,ce