The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-08-19
GREAT MEETING AT CHARLESTON.

In pursuance of public notice very large and highly
respectable meeting Of the citizens Of Charleston in favor
OF State rights southern rights, and opposed TO the po
c.l association known the American party know
nothings assembled at Hbernan Hall on Wednesday eve
ming, August 10, 1855
The Mercury speaks Of the meeting as follows;
II has been fortune witness larger,
attentive and respectable meeting than that which thronged
bernian Hall to its utmost capacity last night. There
deep enthusiasm written in the faces and demeanor of the
audience which bespoke bright future for the party
picousy nauguaed and though the weather intensely
hot and alarm of fire took place. they remained staunch
and attentive absorbed they in the great duties
whose performance they there to begin but refer
readers to the official proceedings in another column
Suboined is the address adopted by the meeting and
submitted by Hon, 7, W. Heyne
When South Carolina after long period Of political cx
element settled past differences and through constitu-
ona organ zed convention proclaimed to the world the
principles which held in by her suhs and in
her sovereign capacity defined her position in regard the
federal UnOn had hoped that, for time least she
might be spared further agitation aud party distraction To
the allegiance Of her citizens trusted for uniformity of
principle at home and felt assured that her sister States
of the South would know where find her in time need
We desired only to keep the ship Of State fast at her
ngs We did not seek progress, but simply to maintain
seadasy the position taken by the highest authority known
10 our institutions South Carolina had hoped, would,
in quiet dignity, 'bde her time for further action.
1T Is now manifest, however, that party organization has
become necessary resist new political combination,
known the order of know nothings, but lately assuming
for themselves the of the American partya party
which, in the apdity of its growth and of its early
movements having outstrPped the fanacal de-
veopmcns the free States has reached State has
introduced ro ii principles and practices new dangerous
and dstractng. Notwithstanding its professions il practi-
caly repudiaes the fundamental principles of civil and
gious lbotyreects the right Of free discussion
the ncsnabe blessing Of freedom of consciencesacrices
personal independence the subvesou of the rights
Of tho States sovereign members of this concderacy-and
in its assertion of the indspuehe and rghul sway OF the
majority, auulaes the independence safety, and welfare
the savchclding States.
u then becomes, conceive, the imperative duty
all who regard the preservation and faithful and
enforcement Of the constitution of these Uned States
high political duty who resolved maintain rights
the States and particularly of the avehoding States
incidents OF their sovereignty and the political rights and
privileges well Of the people Of the States forth
in the constitution of the Union and in that of the State
South Carolina array Themselves not in secret but open
y not bound together by oaths, but BIZ the strong ties
which unite those who have enjoyed the rich blessings Of
civil freedom and religious liberation for advance
Of selfish purposes bat for the good Of the communities
in which they i've and of the State which they belong
not by the order Of any grand council but in obedience
their free and generous impulses subject to con
troll except such the established laws of their country and
their conscientious convictions OF duty sugpes-n op-
position to this combination styling itself the Ameri-
party, in order that It's saved the man
fold evils it has produced and will produce be abaed lis
unwhoesome effect the moral character of our State be
removed and the bghtng OF political prescription
and religious intolerance forever averted."
Eloquent speeches delivered by Hon. r. w Hayne
A. G. McGrah, esq, G. w. Martin, esq and letters were
read from Hon. James Simons Hon. A. p Butler Hon r.
S. Brooks, and Hon. /. NJ. Keitt