The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-02-15

and brought doicn the house
"PErRR ScHLENIHL " in America.
DEBATE ON THE UNITED STATES SENATOR
QUESTION.
Secret oaths and Proceedings of the Know Moth
ing Order
Netc York House Of assembly Feb. 5, 1855.
Mr.. Leigh rose to a question of privilege
and said:
Mr. Speaker, have been sent here, by my
constituents, to serve them in legislative capa
city. i came here an independent man, sim
ply desiring to do my duty honestly and fear
lessly In carrying out this purpose, l have
| deemed it my duty to declare myself the friend
| of the Maine Law and of William Fl. Seward
For having done so-particularly for having
avowed my purpose to vote for Mr.. Seward as
| Senator of the United States-this House has
| been foully and grossly insulted in the person
who now addresses you. /, this morning, received
several communications from my district, of an
extra officious and insulting character, design
cd for the infamous purpose of influencing my
| action as a member of this House. i shall
read these communications. The first is dated
Hancock Chapter =
Mr. Peck. call the gentleman to order; and
my point of order is, that if the communica
tons are private, he has no right to read them
The Speaker. The gentleman has no right to
read those or any other document without the
consent of the House.
Mr.. O'Keefe. / move, sir, that the gentleman
from New York have the permission of the
House to read the communications. Agreed to
| Mr.. Leigh. The communications which
| shall read are not of private character, but
relate TO public duties. The first is as follows
HANCOCK CHAPTER, No. IA, o. q. A,
Tuesday Erening, Jan. 80, 1855.
SIN: We herewith transmit to you the fol
lowing resolution, passed unanimously this
evening, by Hancock Chapter:
RESOLVED, That Hancock chapter, through its
officers, request the Hon. G. c. Leigh TO use
his influence and vote against the reelection of
William H. Seward as United States Senator;
we, as Americans, denouncing his political
course, and we regret to find that the Hon. c.
G.. Leigh has not the manliness and sufficient
principle to act against the said William IL.
Seward, without receiving petitions from his
Brother Americans.
Which is respectfully submitted.
GEO. F. JUNE, G. Of G.
JOHN j. LYNCH, c. c.
Geo. A. Titchner, Sachem.
Mr.. Leigh: John J. Lynch! An appropriate
cognomen TO be attached to such a missile.
But, sir, / have also another communication.
1t is as follows:
NEW York, January l6, 1855.
DEAR SIR: At regular meeting of the JAS
per Chapter, No. 35, o. U. A, held Monday
evening, 18th inst the undersigned were appoint
ed a committee of three, to draft a preamble and
resolutions to you, expressive of their feelings
on the election of United States Senator.
Herewith we beg to enclose the said pream-
bic and resolutions, and solicit from you an ear
ly reply.
Fraternally and truly yours,
+. c. WAGNER,
c. B. HAwLEY, Committee.
GEORGE A. WARDELI,
To Hon. c. C. Leigh, Albany, NJ T.
Address of F. G. Wagner, care of Rogers Il
Wyckof, New York.
Whereas the present Legislature in session
at Albany, will elect a United States Senator
for the coming six years; and
Whereas the course Of William 81. Seward
has been anti-American, and opposed to the
objects of our organization; and
Whereas the defeat of William Fl. Seward
will be a triumph of the American party over
Romanism and fanaticism; therefore, be it
Resolred, That this Chapter does urge Broth
err c. c.. Leigh to use his influence and to vote
against the reelection of William II Seward to
the United States Senate.
Resolved, That Brother Van Arsdale be ap-
pointed committee of one, to proceed to Alba
ny and deliver this preamble, &c, to Brother
c. c. Leigh in person.
F. C. WAGNER,
G. B. HAwLHY, Committee.
GEORGE A. WARDELL,
Mr.. Leigh. The third communication reads
thus:
NHw YORK, February 2, 1855.
DEAR SIR: At regular meeting of Column
bia Chapter, No. Z, D. u. A, held Thursday
evening, LIST instant, the undersigned were
appointed q committee of three, to draft a pre-
ambe and resolutions to you, expressive of their
feelings on the election Of United States SEN
ator.
Herewith we beg to enclose said preamble
and resolutions, and solicit from You an early
reply.
Fraternally and truly yours,
Henry JAY,
ID. II. STILES, Committee.
ALFRED L. STEVENS,
WV. j. DwIRE, Sachen,, pro tenn.
Henry DURAND, c. ofMe c.
To Hon. c. c. Leigh, Albany, ~ T.
Whereas the present Legislature, in session
at Albany, will elect United States Senator for
the coming six years: and
Whereas the course of William H. Seward
has been anti-American, and opposed to the
objects of our organization; and
Whereas the defeat of William H. Seward
will be a triumph of the American party over
Romanism ID fanaticism; therefore, be it
Resoired, That this Chapter does urge Broth
er G. c. Leigh to use his influence and vote
against the reelection of William II. Seward to
the United States Senate.
S ): &: : A. !; STEVENS Committee
Mr.. Rhodes. / wish to ask the gentleman one
question. Having risen to a question Of priv
ilege, l want to know upon what authority that
question is based. Are the communications
which he has read attested?
Mr. Leigh. Sir, can answer the gentleman
they are attested; and, since the gentleman from
Kings has seen fit to ask the question, wish
those who hear me, and particularly the report
ers, to notice the answer. The first communi-
cation which read is attestcd by the seal of the
Chapter; " Hancock Chapter, No. l4O," encir-
cling scroll, upon which is inscribed "Inde-
pendence." Was ever a sacred seal so shamefully
prostituted 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. T." with an eagle
resting upon a shield, in the centre of the cir
Gle fes sir, the name of Columbia" isthus
desecrated, and the American eagle is dishon-
ored as the emblem of an organization whose
members have the impudence and audacity to
seek to control, by intimidations and threats,
the representative of q free constituency.