Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1855-05-31
Proce edings of the Mass Meeting of
the Democracy of Putnam.

UREENCAsliaE, May ~, 1870.
At mass meeting Of the old line Demo
Gratis and Wings of Putnam, for the purpose
of perfecting a county organization in aecor
dance with the recommendation of the State
Democratic Association, upon motion by
Mr. Turk, Esq, Archibald johnson was call.
ed to the Chair, and upon further motion, by
Gen. VIM. ID. Allen, NJ. r. Rudisill was ap.
pointed Secretary. The President then de-
livered a forcibie and energetic address, ex-
planatory OF the objects of this assembly, and
upon the duty of all patriots, especially o!
those who, in time past, hal acted with the
old National Whig party, not to abandon
their former principles, to unite with the new
secret and sectional organization, whose deeds
of darkness stunned the light of day, and
the gaze of honest men.
Upon motion of Gen. w. ID. Allen, a COM
mittee was appointed to draft resolutions, ex-
pressive of the sense of this meeting, and tc
frame Constitution and bylaws for the gov
eminent of the association. General Allen
Judge Eckels and Mr.. Barnet were appointed
said Committee. Mr.. Secrest being called up
on, delivered a forcible and eloquent address
in vindicaiton of the soundness and consisten-
cy Of the principles as entertained by khs
gzsat. Sati0nah. D. uun1ieI
posure Of the baseiess system of Know Moth
ingism. He appealed to all who had pre-.
III IL IL Il.
old political parties, not to abandon their for
mer principles to unite with an Organi
zation, founded not upon principles, but mere
ly upon preference of one class Of citizens ovel
those of another class, irrespective Of mental
and moral worth, and held together only by
the cohesive power of public plunder.7-
Few, that listened to this powerful and telling
ezpose of the midnight conspiracy, could GO
away unconyineed, and its effect was evident
upon the large audience assembled.
The committee on resolutions, and to frame
a CONSTITUTION and bylaws for the government
of the Association, submitted the following,
which were adopted unanimously.
ResOluef, That in creating an organization
lOO TIC DlO1lOtiel VI DfOoitIllN vi tue
the General and State Governments, we de-
clare our entire approval of the Compro-
mise measures Of 1850. and the doctrines OF
the Convention of our friends, held on the
22d day of February, 1855, at indianapolis,
and pledge to each ether, and to our friends
throughout the county, our best exertions
in season and ont Of season, to preserve and
sustain them
Resolved, That we have no such fears OF
the Catholics, as to induce us. in violation oi
the law, to band together by secret and fear
full oaths, and meet in loathsome places, Al
the dark hour of midnight; but, on the con-
trary, that all our meetings shall be in public
places, in the broad face of day, to discus:
public principles, and aid in preserving unim.
paired the free institutions bequeath to us by
our fathers.
Resolred, That this organization shall be
subordinate to the State organization, adopted
on the 22d of last February, and we respect
fully recommend the following Preamble
Constitution and Bylaws, for tho adoption OF
this meeting: (these are similar TO those adapt
ed BY the democratic Association" with
only the changes requisite to adapt them fol
County purposes.)
Resofred, That there he a Convention o
the officers of this Association, and of Dele
gates from the different Townships, to be held
at the Court House in Greencastle, on the 4tf
day of July next.
Upon motion, by A. j. SMEDLEy, Esq, {
Committee of five-consiting of A. j. SMED
LEY, A. BowES, GTLMoRE CoSSEIIY, VII
LIAM BRowN, and Mr. AcREs-was appointed
to report permanent officers for the Associa
ton. Said Committee, after consultation, re-
turned the following report, which was unan
imOusly adopted:
NANTES OF OFFICERS.
Gen. w. ID. ALLEN, President.
ARCHIBALD JOHNSTON, Tee President
! M. b. RUDIsnL, Secretary.
A. j. SMEpLEY, Corresponding Secretary.
CLINTON Walls, Treasurer.
Upon motion eff Judge EcKELs-
Resolpea, That copy of these proceeding
be furnished the Editors of the Indiana Stat
Sentinel for publication; and, upon furthe
motion, the meeting then adjourned.
ARCHIBALD JOHNSON, President
M. B. RUDIsELI, Secretary.