The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-02-03
Assembly.
Albany. Feb. Q 185S.

Mr.. PETTY's resolution was announced, and
Mr.. WATERBURY said 1t was not necessary for him TO
define his position. His position was defined before the
organization Of this House. But there were men on this
floor who would never have had a seat here, had they
not taken an oath to fulfil their duty, But they had
basely broken that oath, and disregarded their duty.
He had been surprised to see that at q given signal, the
Speaker OF this House had come down upon the floor of
this House and there declared that he was justified in
breaking his oath-aye, and that he would do 50 were
his oaths as high as heaven. But he was glad to know
that such a man was q ''Ltttls john Talk not, said
MI. W., OF Catholic Jesuitism there was a Jlsitism ten
fold greater than that OF Catholicism. He was opposed
to the reelection of VIM. II. Seward, because he was an
tirepublican, AMI WINS in favor of giving the means to
Catholicism for its spread in this couatry. Mr.. W. thea
reviewed the working of the Catholic religion, arguing
that !, vas Sc contrary to rePuelsan principles 1,a Hs also
common schools, referring TO his proposition to divide
the school moneys between Catholic and Protestant
to IL this course was pprsued-would II be one United
American country-or would it not be divided up into
one of sectionalty.
Mr.. HULL said there were men here VIII, claimed exclu.
sively to have American feelings, but there was not a
man here but experienced this feeling as fully as these
exclusive professors of 1t He objected to the mpdus
operoadi of carrying out this feeling. He did not :ocsi-
der it necessary to prescribe or take oaths to carry out
this feeling. American feeling was too broad for that.
Was i. not American Jesuitism, this carrying out Anne
rlcanism as 1t wasg 1t was nothing but Jesuitism-
American Jesuitism-and yet ~Jesaitism is held ia such
high horror by these men A man rises here and in a
derisive manner calls another who has taken an olth,
in an u~nguarded moment, q Little Johu.!' For himself,
hS hAuN suNh a q oS sEs II. vac
referred to the public acts or Mr.. Sevsri. Another
word, raid Mr.. H., about these oaths. immediately af.
ter the organization o. this House, members were wait
ed on to take an oath. He held that men were absolyed
from oaths which bount their consclences that were
calculated 10 make them traitorous to their country.
Mr.. LAMpoRT, on his return from homo to this House,
a day or two since, was surprised to find matters SO well
arranged. He was surprised to fluid that men, who, but
two weeks since, had, 10 a counting room at the foot of
StHte street, declared sentiments directly contrary to
those proclaimed here. The gentleman from New York
tMr. Leigh had stated here that the sentiments of
Governor seward. IN a mesbawe were not what thew had
been represented to he. BIT that gentlem IN had care
fully withheld the fact that Governor s. issued in
another message sentiments intended to quiet the ex.
citemert which had aris.n in the State. 1t was known,
too, that a distinguished State Senator, at that time,
sentiments in the FIRST message. But his urging was
nnavaibny, and the sentiment went forth to the world
And what would have been the effect Of his
tons TO our public schools2 II would have bgcn the ruin
of thai magnificent system Of public education.
He also referred to the course pursued by Gov.
eruor g. towards the anti renters, and then reviewed
the remarks o. the gentle man from Moaroe, (Mr.
Stebbins) with regard 10 the doctrine of " higher law
BE said this doctrine had gained some ground in this
state, to Its disgrace, but II was soon abaudoaed. lie
denied tas imputations cast upon those who could not
acce5e to the doctrine o. "higher law" infdel!ty.
Gentlemen talk about taking oaths IN violation of their
conscience. No one had taken such an oath. But when
o man made declaration OF his intention to support a
principe, he had q perfect right to carry ot that de-
%elarstion, no matter in VIA. shape he assumes it. He
denied that there was any disposition to persecuts any
one on account of his religious principles. Il was un.
true that there was any intention to persccuie Catholics
because they were Catholics. He promised bis support
even TO the bearing Of arms-to protect the Catholic
from q prohibition of his enjoying the worship Of his
religion With regard to Jesuitism, he said, men in
their zeal were apt to 60 beyond the bounds Of reason in
what they say on some subjects, To show what Catho.
lie Jesuitism consisted of, he read tho Jesuits' DECLARE.
ton, Lately Published IN the public papers 49, M
doc oaihf
Mr.. LAspoRr was opposed to that kind Of Jesuiticsl
oatbs. and because he felt alarmed OF those oaths, he
was 10 be charged with taking an DATA In violation OF
his conscience. lie considered 1t the duty OF all Ameri-
worn 10 follow them. But at the same time he denied
the intention to pers scute foreigners, as such. Mr.. Ia.
referred 10 the recent e%ection in Ontario, where the
question was fully before the people. The question WAS
between Hindoo and-whatr Fusion, wooly heads and
abolitionists; and give SAM enc more lick at them,
and there will not be q grease spot left. (Applause.)
Mr.. l. said he was a iaw.ab,dIns man. He had under,
stood that there was a caucus last night. Whatever
was the Extraordinarily obtsinsd-he would
Mr.. S. d. cox said there was a crisis approaching.
such "a 10 test the %soundncss Of tlis legislature. The
question OF religious liberation had been mooted here,
but he sfoyrea 70 discuss that question. IL had no con-
hec,,on with The United States senatorthip, nor had II
any bearing Upon the resolution before the House This
resolu,ieu said we would MT support any man who
was no. a fritnd Of our state interests, or public
schools, bnt OF our country. Where was the man WI,
dared TO be otherwise than the resolution expressed
He was no faetionist. he was a wing. He had dared
10 determine what was right and act upoa IT, That
made hun o party msn-a whig. Hs you'd not asknos,
would vote for him. Circumstances had left VIM: IL.
Seward 10 other choice than TO take the side OF freeiom;
HeteTCuCf DuO Httu ulhtt " W ~ - - ~ $500
come here with an oath that would make him act indie
pende nj OF his Official oath. Why should q few men at
which made them kneel to Baal and lick the dust 2
Must . few men dictate al oath to these 10000 men
which made tsem act contrary to their convictions; 1t
was ~intimated, too, that committees had been sent here
TO work the destruction OF one man.
Mr.. RH0DEs emphaticaly denied that any such com.
mittees had appeared hero.
M. s B cox said 1t had been intimated such wasthe
case. But this great effort was to put down one man
william n scward-a man who, at this time, was the
LIZ 81 tfa gtnto ilsalF
Mr.. O'KEE.E had not intended to take part In this dis.
cussiou. II was none Of his business. He was a repub.
The gentleman from westches.er Mr.. Waterbury, had
said this was = Protestant community. 4S, OK, denied
that this was . Protestant or Catholic community. The
gentleman had said he would protest Catholicism. he
asked no protection from him. He got his protection for
hts religious creed from the Almighty God, and the con.
s~titutions OF the United States and this State, which
tolerated eli religions. Reference had been made to the
temporal powers Of the Pope. That poor old Pope had no
powers. He vas simply a prescribed prince, hedged In
at Rome. Mr.. OK. went on explaining the action OF
Catholics recently; claiming for them as much interest
in the stability and prosperity Of this country as any
was republican In itself; every oGice In 1t was obtained
by ballot. And 80 70 the ~Jesuitical oath read by the
gentleman from Ontario, (Mr. Lamport) he (Nr. ok
took this occasion TO brand 1t as q forgery, and chsl.
snged proof TO the contrary. As TO VIM. II. seward, he
could not vote for him. He did not like his principles.
But no kne ' Mr.. Stewards friends could take care OF him.
Mr.. PETTY followed, referring 10 what he termed tn
most contemplate conduct on the part OF Mr.. Leigh, In
getting him 70 offer the resolution before the Honss. MT.
whom he considered . political gambler an enemy TO our
Union, an enemy to our common schools, . propsgator
of anarchy through the "higher law doctrine. Mr.. p.
also reviewed the speeches Of Messrs. Leigh, S~tebbins,
I~dttlejohn, and Others. Ho said there were hfty mem.
bers Of this House who we're pledged TO vote agains. a
certain man for United States Senator, but who had
shamefuny violated their pledges. He could never be-
leve these men in q court OF Justice, even under oath.
Let their names, said Mr.. p, be shrouded Ia block, and
take their places beside that OF Benedict Arnold. What
innuence. have operated upon these menS The Governor
has certain appointments 20 make, but they are kept
back until II was known how certain ones voted. More
than ths, even the passage OF bills depended upon the
syvsee o. members on the Senatorial question. A col.
,les4Gs y biz, having several bills here, was told that
tbp = te votd for the prominent candidate. hs
f.i. tGetI DOT pasa. lie LotiRed hs consttu.
cat, IN ne condition Of Affairs A meeting wa,
he'd 10 Vi. constituents, Who instructed him to