Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1855-07-04
sPEEcH oF. THE HoN.. KENrErH RAYHER.

l.
In Baltimore, on the Goth ult., an AnlericaH
meeting wasFHeld in Monument Square,
! to ratify the proceedings of the late National
| Council held in Philadelphia. 1t was attend
| ed by AN immense concourse ofpersons. The
greatest enthusiasm prevailed, and series of
| strong resolutions was adopted- s
After the reading ofthe Resolutions, and be-
| ing adopted by acclamatiou, the Hon. KESNETH
RAYNER, of North Carolina, called for,
and in coming forward, congratulated the
American party of Baltimore, which mad as
sembled under such favorable auspices and
thanked them for the kind greeting which he
received from his fellOw-citiZenS:
Mr. RAYNER, said that the enemies of the
American cause had circulated report, that
division existed in our ranks in Philadelphia;
No division eXisted.-( applause We met
and parted as friends. One unfortunate. sub
ject had already caused division in parties and
churches; but in the American Convention the
North would not secede from principles so sa-
cred and endeared to all American hearts,
(Applause.) The great North and South We're
united in q common cause, to fight in a COM
mon struggle. Most of the Northern dclega-
tons, who had protested against the action of
the Convention, remained and participated in
in its future proceedings. The Catholics and
the enemies of the American party reloiced
over what to them appeared to be division
and they rejoiced did Satan over the fall of
our first parents (Cheers and applause-) But
But they will find that, like Satan when he at
tempted to seduce the Saviour, their effort TO
distract US from the truth OF Americanism is
futile and they viii return as chop-fallen as
their arch leader Of the realms Of darkness
(Immense cheering.) This overwhelming audi
ence exhibits the devotion to liberty and the
laws which everywhere characterizes the Am
ercan movement, which is as momentus to us
now as was that which gave an enslaved peo-
pie their freedom and independece. And he
was proud to be one in SO holy, and so
important to the advancement of Christian ci-
vilization, and the yearning hopes OF the mill
ions trodden in the dust by the oppressors
wrong. {Cheers.) 1t was thought that the rule
OF parties was absolute. But it is found TO
be mistake. And the people have for the
first time in the history of this Republic, aris-
en- in their power to decide whether they or
corrupt partizans are TO rule. (Applause.)
The question Of Professionalism presen-
ted is one that should arrest the atten-
tion of every thinking man.. Luther never
had a higher mission than the American Party
has before it. (Applause.) After the first rev.
/ olGtion we had wilderness to subdue, and we
I had 4 pure and Protestant people to go for
ward to subdue il. But, one liy one the recent
foes of the land we love, aud the freedom we
enjoy came here with words of promise which
are treasured through years and years of mex
pcriencc and prosperity. Now, when the foun-
tain of the worlds hopes for countless ages,
is to be realized the hand that we grasp in
! friendship are armed with the weapons of the
| assassin and the hearts over whose sufierngs
we wcpt, now only throb with feelings of in
gratitude. Protestant liberty is TO fall or stand,
and on this issue we are to meet the invidious
| foe. (Applause.)
! And We are here tonight to meet the ques-
tion-not as an armed crowd bent on outrage
and determined on wrong--bnt as great peo-
pie preparing for the battle of the ballot-box,
| than which none is more worthy the blessings
| ofmankinc. Cur liberty is in danger, and
| I s5.tlse~ ont. lApplause.) Americans
are not opposed to foreigners as a class Tney
| may come freely to our shores, enjoy our hos
| pitality and bask in the sunlight of our pros
| perity; they may send their children freely to
| our schools; fed secure under the protection
| of our laws, and indeed pursue the paths of
! freedom and civilization TO the remotest ends,
| and still ind i'll ils tr;el friends and true
| CChecrs.) But they must NOT band together
to destroy oI,r institutions. they must not trail
our banner o:' tile St,rS IN the dust with impu-
nifty. This had been done, and Americans who
! love their country above all things else; Amer
leans whose hearts lead them back to the strug-
giles of their fathers to give to posterity Union
! Of free and Independent States; Americans
who look forward, with hopes akin to prophe-
| cy, have now sworn, upon the alter of their
countryS liberty, that these things shall no
longer be-and that Americans in spirit and
in truth shall govern the land of their nativity,
and the home consecrated to their holiest
memories.