The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-03-07
Official Know Nothing Manifesto.
FROM THE PRESIDENT TO THE STATE COUNCIL



FROM THE PRESIDENT TO THE STATE COUNCIL OF
NEW YORK.
BRoHERs-Tbe occasion Of the annual meeting Of your
honorable body one of no ordinary interest, involving,
does the present OCCASION the Iovelty Of being
the first under the existing form Of representation 1t
is perhaps well to review in BRIEF of the prominent
features in the progress of the Order.
On the 18th of May 1854 consolidation effected
between two divisions of Americans protesting the same
principles but acting under the respective names Of
Lodges and Councils, the two then numbering about
sixty subordinate bodies This union hailed with
enthusiasm and formed nucleus for the perfection of
organization the destiny of which to control the
politics of the nation.
The obvious necessity Of such organization being
apparent to the minds of the great Of the American
people, it deemed only necessary to combine the
divisions to secure the perpetuty Of the action.
II was the pleasure OF the Order the time of the
consolidation to elect to the Office Of President In
entering upon the duties Of that Office fully
of the responsibility which devolved upon me-of the
disadvantages should labor under from the crude and
imperfect form of the constitution any alteration OF
which looked upon with jealousy and suspicion and
OF the elements of discord and which must
naturally be anticipated in organization based upon
principles broad and general interest and effect
The whole strength oil the Order in the State the
18th of May 1854 did not probably exceed five thousand
an6 in the United States there not than ten
tnOuSanQ
My first efforts were directed to the formation of pro-
per agencies tor the introduction of the work in the diff
erent counties in the State and the subsequent appoint
ment Of proper local deputies is unnecessary
ter into minute details Of the action Of each brother ap
pointed suffice it to say most of the deputies have been
faithful and efficient in performance of their ties
and renoered valuable service in extending the Order
and carrying out the lava of the Grand Council.
The present harmonious and prosperous condition OF
the nine hundred and sixty councils in the State OF New
York ia the only evidence deem it necessary to offer OF
the efforts have made to perfect the organization to
ing, to destroy the influence Of section sentiment and
to establish, not balance of power butt positive.
contIolabis and enduring power both in the State and
1t is TO be lamented that have had persons in
ranks who have been recrsant to duty Indifferent
to the sacred obligations they have assumed debased
in mind and reckless of moral characteas to
the work of the Order thereby committing moral per
jury before God and man. Though sto be hoped our
councils are now rid Of those traitors sehooves each
and every member to be guarded in their intercourse
and especially cautious in recommending persons for
membership
At your last quarterly session it deemed sary
for protection to adopt measures for the purdca
tion of your own body and to recommend course to
subordinate councils which had proved etectua with
their representatives. The form prescribed has had,
happy to say, salutary effect throughout greater
portion of the State though objections have been raised
in councils and open and determined hostility dis
played in others. Such unfavorabie demonstrations,
how ever have been chiefly confined to those councils
where interests foreign the legitimate purposes the
organization allowed precedence the consttu
ton the literal construc ton Of the obligation, and the
laws OF the Grand Council
In some instances, doubtless, members have declined
to conform to the "test," upon honorable and con-
scentiou grounds though generally the objection has
emapated from those whose active 0ppeston TO the
nominations of the ORDER contributed largely the
cess of opposing candidates.
which will ;eve your fair and impartial consideration
would recommend careful discrimination between
parties who have been the victims Of Misrepresentation
the part OF representatives,, Others whose official
position experience in the Order attached Importance
il not responsibility to their influence those whose
I'D nd ned OuDOs las been
rent
open characterization should not be encouraged yet
the innocent should be protected against the machna
tions of the guilty.
Frequent Complaints have been made Of the made
quacy of the constitution to the powerful posi-
tion Of the Order aud it has been apparent that the
wsnt of n more general snd thorough system OF or
gsnzaon has contributed in greater or less degree to
local dir affections thereby enhancing the labor and
sponsibility of the President in their adjustment.
Though the great body Of the people much
intelligence their represe Natives yet they require
ample law for their government and look to you for
such legislation will secure harmony peace and per-
feet suNordinaion in their local organizations.
leads TO discussions which t. nd to subvert the purpose
Tor which is intended 1t is therefore desirable that
the constitution TO be adopted at the present session
should be ample in its provisions TO the exgency of the
times The committee appointed at the special session
heC in January, will doubtless submit a report which
win be satisfactory.
The course OF members of the present legislature o.
the state belonging TO the Order is matter worthy Of
your consideration. trust proper investigation will
be made, and judcious recommendations sent to the
councils TO which they belong that each
and every who has proved to the
he has pledged himself to sustain may be deprived Of
all power to iDjure the Order in future.
The rapid, and may say unprecedented growth OF
the Order naturally excited alarm among the active
political parties Of the day. aud ambitious leaders have
sought ranks-o disturb peace and destroy
influence. But the action of the past has proved time
ly warning, aud despite the opposition without and the
treachery within, hold to day the political destiny Of
the State.
As united body we are invincible.
May that Providence which created within sires
that pure and holy principle upon which Order Is
bssed guide and protect in efforts to perpetuate
it, that posteritymay rejoice in the national eyr
ty Of their fathers and hand down from generation to
generation priceless legacy, conceived not for
day, but for all time" Frsternaly,
SYRACUSE, Feb. 10, 1885. J. W. BARKER.