Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-06-22
Great American Meeting.

Great American Meeting.
The largest assemblage ever convened In
this city on any similar occasion met last even
ing at the City Hall to ratify the proceedings
of the National American Council in Philadel-
phia. Six thousand American freemen were
there, comprising delegations from every ward
in the city, from Georgetown and Alexandria.
Although the enthusiasm of the multitude was
deep and pervading, the greatest order pre-
vailed, and nothing occurred to mar the har-
mony Of the glorious occasion.
Joseph II. Bradley, ESQ, one of our most
eminent citizens, presided, and was assisted by
several Vice Presidents, whose names win be
found in the local column, where also will be
found the resolutions which were adopted
We append report of the speeches as far
as practicable, and will give the remainder to-
morrow.
The President on taking the chair, remarked
that this was of the greatest and most glorious
assemblages he had ever met in Washington. He
did not see what they had called him to preside for,
unless 1t was because he was Of that nondescrpt
class, yclept one of the oldest inhabitants"
Cheers. He had the fortune to be born here, and
unfortunately II was over half century ago, and
he had seen the changes offifty years; had watch
ed the incoming and outgoing of the several
administrations, and the gradual corruption Of the
one man-power, until now he had lived TO see the
birth of Sam, who would redeem and purify the
government. TCheers He concluded his remarks
by thanking the meeting for the distinguished
honor they had conferred upon him. Vice Presi.
dents and Secretaries In another column.
II - atx.. aHt. Ian
introduced
Hon. yAcoB BRooM, of Pennsylvania, who was
received with cheers for Broom and Pennsylvania.
After the cheers had subsidized, Mr.. Broom said :
If anything can cheer the heart 1t is such cheers
as these that come directly from the hearts Of the
people. Some years ago he left this city with his
family, after having spent two years among the
people of Washington, where he had formed many
pleasant and agreeable associations. He now re-
turned to see this glorious uprising of the people
in response to the great principles which had re-
Gently been promulgated by the National Council
at Philadelphia.
He spoke of the charge Of attempting to per-
secute the Catholics on account Of their religious
opinions.
This is not true. We do not design to persecute
them. Many here remembered the petitions that
came to the Capitol some years since, to have all
the mails stopped on the Sabbath. It was reriem-
1
his celebrated Sunday mail report, in which he took
the ground that the petitions partook of an ecces
astical movement TO influence the operations of
one branch of the government. This was conclu-
| sive, and the matter dropped. The Presbyterans
did not cry persecution and attempt to form po-
ltica party to get control of the government They
submitted, like good citizens. Not so the Catho-
lies who landed on our shores, found the Bible in
the public schools, and demanded that 1t should
ho Ind t,r ne s,tr
duction of religion into politics. ] would not in
terfere with any ones religious rights. would
spill my hearts blood to protect Catholics in their
right to worship God as they please, butt will
join Americans TO put down their political interfe
renee in the affairs of the country [Cheers. This
is according them their rights as fully as to any
American, SO far as religion Is concerned.
The attempt of the Roman hierarchy and their
tools to control the political destinies of this coun
try, Is consistent with the history Of that Church.
1t had destroyed every kind Of liberal principle,
wherever it had gnined power The design of the
American party is to check this spirit of domina-
ton, and put Am sricans, with American princi
Piles, in power instead of the petty party hacks
who are ever ready to do the bidding Of the Ro-
mish priesthood and the hordes they command
Who first drew the line of demarcation between
native and foreign-born, between Protestant and
! Catholics II was the foreigners and Romanists
\
for the nomination Of county officers In Philadel-
tphia, composed of 1S5 members, we found that so
were Irish Catholics. The native delegates were
struck with amazement. This large number OF
Catholics could not have been elected by the.mere
ordinary course Of meetings Of the people. How
was itY Before we adjourned, we found out. A
vote was passed to 20 into the election OF County
Treasurer when up jumped an freshman and
said, Il nominate Hughy Clarke This opened
our eyes. We had twelve ballottings, without an
election. The Catholics declared that they had
been voting for the Democratic party, and always
assisting them. And now that they bad grown
strong enough they would have power. On each
of the twelve ballots In the convention, Hugely
Clark got sixtytwo votes, just the number Of Irish
Catholics present This shows who first drew the
lines. They did, and now LET them abide by IT,
We shall find no difficulty in taking care Of them
when we come 10 the ballot-boxes [Cheers.
Both the Wing and the Democratic parties have
for years been playing for the Catholic vote. The
Democrats have had Il, and the Wings constantly
tried to steal It. IL more fully manifest In the
last Presidential election. The Democrats had
such men as Buchanan and Cass but they dropped
them, and took Frank. Pierce Laughter. The
Wings had Fillmore, most exemplary President,
cheers, and Daniel Webster, the greatest states.
man Of this or any other country, [cheers but
they took up Scott, because he had made the sol
diers Of Mexico bow to Catholic domination and
forms Of worship, and thought he would have the
Irish vote. Ever since the days Of jackson, the
parties had been crowding foreigners into Office, in
violation ofthe principles Of Washington. lCheers.
What happened after Pierce's elcctionf Look
throughout the country, and behold the foreigners
in Office. We could not even be represented
abroad by Americans. He must take German
jew, Frenchman, and an Italian, for our repre-
sentatiyes, making US laughing-stock all over
Europe. These things have caused the rise Of the
American party.
[The speaker here went into brief history Of
the Kensington riots, with which most of our read
crs are familiar
Now we had raised again that star-spangled ban
ner, which was trailed in the dust by the Catholics
Of Philadelphia and the sons Of Sam would stand by
Il until they could shout victory over our foreign
enemies and native political demagogues.
Three cheers for the old Keystone State were
given with hearty good will.
Here the President announced that an entire
steamboat load Of Sans boys had arrived from
Alexandria, which was received with three hearty
cheers
Tho next speaker was
U,~x,-,, ID. ofN or,k r.-oi.n. IT. 80