The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1855-08-23

lawless and violen; conduc, of iDdiyiduale
since in Kansas, especially are abhonent TO
the people OF the North, and ought 10 be re.
dressed
5. That these measure res were wsnton re-.
newal OF sectional agitation, for which in no
sense are the Wings of the Nonh, and espe-
cially tho Wings of Pennsylvania, RESPONSE
BILE.
o, That the restoration of the Missouri
compromise line ought TO be demanded and
| insisted OH as matter of rieht
7. The reasserlion OF the Whi2 principles
ihe value of which every hour is confirming
of protection in some form TO American
industry, and especially to ihs staple inter-
es:s OF Pennsylvania yet struggling into exis-
tence-lhe policy oil peace and neutrality on
the part oil The general government, and res
olute abstinence from all schemes of foreign
aggrandzement and sympathy or afliui!y 10
foreign politics.
| These resolutions. after free discussion.
were laid on the table, my own vote being
The only one recorded in their favor; and ye,
hope may be permitted 10 say there were
| lew OF the Committee who did not, in ;heir
hearts and conscieuces, agree to every word
in them 1t is due 10 my colleagues to add
that some OF them put their votes on the res.
olutlons strictly on the ground of inexpedi-
endy and doubt as TO the powers of the
Conmillee. With them, however, readily
united those others of our colleagues who
are not ashamed 10 avow that they are Know.
No.hings5 and, as such, under paramount
# not exclusive allegiance.
During that discussion one OF ihess gen.
tlemen, as you will recollect, suid witt, en-
phasis, and without word leading to it, that
if these resolutions passed he should resign.
Till then no no word which, by any possibi-
ity could be construed into threat, bad been
whispered--certainly not by me. But the
feeling and resolution were all along cher
ished that If, after all that had occurred, The
sacrifice of MIR. Darsie, The discredit of last
winter al Harrisburg, the nsolent abandon.
ment OF the very name of the Wing party,
and, above ALL the prevalent suspicion that
affected every one, these resolutions, or soms-
Thing like them, were not passed, my duty
as a gentleman was very clear, 10 vacale, as
now DO, my position. Ii is a resolution,
assure you, not lightly formed or which can
be reconsGered.
The resolutions affirmed this secret organ.
iEation, with its proscrpIive and evasive
hs tn ha las,
moral! deliberately reefate that opinion,
be IFS value what it may, without agilating
another grave question, whether these COM
binations and these extra judicial oaths are
not strictly unlawful. 1t is very safe kind
OF swearing for easy consciences when no
penalties OF perjury are :isked. | am by ed
ucalion and principle, opposed to all extra
Judicial oaths-havlng beeh taught long ago
by one the greatest lawyers Pennsylvania
ever ptoduced-one, too, whose memory |
most affeclionaey nourish, that the admin
istering OF the pronouncng Of any oath, ex-
cept by authority OF law, is an offence
against the law. The example of this Sc
cret party is making them fearfully common
this taking in vain The Almishiy's name
''this rash swearing nolrequired by the mag
istrste" which the wisdom of more than one
Protestant church condemns. | am free 10
say that oalhs of exculpation are nearly as
repugnant as oaths of initiation aud proscrip.
ton. Aside, repeat, from all question of
law, the whole secret organization is immor-
al, and degradingy so in this, that it exacts
evasion and sometimes the denial of truth. -
If it does not now, it certainly did SO once,
in its prime Of youth and pride OF victory
The obligation once was, and fear is yet,
10 evade tie confession of membership il
possible and f not, expressly 10 deny it and
have myself seen instances of this debra-
ding prevaricalion which make The use The
word immoral almost TOO gentle.
Que other word, and have done. stall
look with deep interest TO The constitution and
action of The Convention which is summon.
ed 10 NEE, at Harrisburg in September. I
trust its action may De unresetvsd in The
enuncistion of principles conciliatofy 10
those who agree III principle and republican
in every sense-and most SO id this, that
no whisper shall be u;tefed, no intimalion
given, that can be construed into an interfe-
renee with religious liberty, which the Con-
sliution guards, or with social or polite al
rights, which the Constitution recognizes
am very respectfully, yours,
VIM B. REED.