Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1855-03-16
Official Know Nothing
Manifesto.
FROM Tur PRESIDENT TO TUE STATE cocN.
GIL or new YORK.

FROM TuE PRESIDENT 10 ruE STATE coCN
GIL OF NEw YORK.
Brofherg-The occasion Of the annual
meeting Of your honorable body is one Of M
ordinary interest, involving, as 1t does on the
present occasion, the novelty of being tho
first under the existing form of representa-
ton. II is perhaps well to review, in brief,
some Of the prominent features in the pro.
gress Of the Order.
On the nh OF May, 1854 q consolida.
ton was effected between two divisions of
Americans protesting the same principles,
but acting under the respective names of
Lodges and Councils, the two then number
ing about sixty subordinate bodies, his
nnion was hailed with enthusiasm, arf1 form
I'd nucleus Tor the perfection of an organi-
zl,ion the destiny Of which was to control
the desunies OF the nation.
The obvious necessity Of such an organi.
zaion belrg apparent TO the minds Of the
great mass OF the American people, il was
deemed only necessary to combine the divi-
SONS 10 secure tho perpetuity Of the action.
II was the pleasure Of the Order, at the
Tins 0! the consolidation, 10 elect me TO the
Office OF President. In entering mon the
duties of that Office was fully aware OF the
the disadvantages should labor under from
the crude aud imperfect form of the Consli-
tuition, any alteration of winch was looked
upon with jealousy and suspicion, and OF the
elements OF dlscord and confusion which
must naturally be anticipated IN an orgaEiza.
ton based upon principles so broad and gen.
oIui 10 inlerst and effect
The whole strength Of the Order in the
State, on the lllh of May lo5i, dld moi
probably exceed FIVE thousand, and in the
United States there was not more than ten
thousand members.
Aly first efforts wero directed TO the form
eion Of proper agencies Tor the Introduction
oi the work IN different counties in the State
AMI the subsequent appointment Of proper
local deputies. 1t is unnecessary 10 entel
lnlo minute details Of action Of each brother
appointed suffice II to say, most of the de
pulics have been faithful and efficient in tho
performances of their dnlies, and rendered
valuable service IN extending tho Order. ant
carrying out the laws of the Grand Coun
Gil.
The present harmonious and prosperou.
condition Of the nine hundred and Sixty
Councils in the State Of New York u the
only evidence deem II necessary TO ofiei
OF the efforts ] have made TO perfect the or.
fsnlLation, TO build upa national party, I,
disseminate national feeling, 10 desiro,
the influence Of sectional sentiment, and L
establish, not balance Of power, but po
eitiye, uncomfortable and enduring power
both IN the State and nation, Ia the Orde,
Of
Il is to be lamenled that we have had per
sons IN our ranks who have been so recre
ant to duty, SO Indifferent 10 the sacred obi
cations they have assumed, 20 debssed il
mind, and so reckless Of moral character, a.
10 expose the work of the Order, ihereb,
computing moral perjury before God snC
man. Though II IS 10 be hoped our councils
are now rid Of those traitors, il behooyes
each aud every member TO be guarded in
their Intercourse, and especially cautious in
recommending persons for membership.
Al your last quarter session II was deem
Cd necessary for your protection to adopt
measures Tor the publication Of your own
body, and 10 recommend a course to subor.
dnaie councils which had proved efiectual
with their representatives.. The form pre-.
scrioed hes had, am happy to say, salu,a
ry effect throughout greater portion of tn,
OF the State, though objections have beer
raised in some councils, and open and de
tsTmined hostility displayed in others.
Such unlayorable demonstrations, how
ever. have been chiefly confined to thos,
councils where interests foreign TO N,
legitimate purposes of the organization were
allowed precedence over the constltui ion
the literal CONSTRUCTION Of the obligation, an,
the laws Of the Grand Council.
In some Instances, doubtless, member
have declined TO conform 60 the " test,
upon honorable end conscientious grounds
though generally The objection has emanaie
fren those whose active opposition TO th
Bomiuaiions Of the Order contributed largel
10 tie success of opposing candidates.
II 10 Obvious that appeals may be present
ed to you which VIII receive youI fair an
impartial consideration. | would recon
mend 4 ezreiul discrimination belwee
parties Who have been the victims of misfeJ
Tessnlstion On the part Of Representatives, {
otnels whose official position or experenc
10 The Order attached importance, If IA,
responsibility. TO their influence, and thos
whose unqualified and determined oppositio
has been apparent.
Open lnsubordinaiion should not D
encouraged, yet the innoeert should B
protected against the Vaccinations of IA
gully.
Flequen, complaints have been made ,
tie iDadequacy OF the constitution 10 N
preseLt powerful position Of the Order an
u has been apparent that the want Of mol
general and thorough system oforganizatlS
has contributed IN greater or less degree
local disaiieciions, thereby enhancing i
labor and responsibility Of the President
itsv adjustment.
Though the great body of the people pc
Seas as ppeb Intelligence as their represeI
aiiyes, yet ft9y require ample law for the
government, and look 10 you for 81,
legislation az will secure harmony and pesc