The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-08-14

BERKs COUNTY. Pennsylvania.

Of parties and the Of leaders Often by fac
TONS and sometimes slightly reduced by the wies Of the
opposition the democratic vote in that county from the
beginning Of the government has been steadily thrown
the liberal and the constitutional eide The peculiar glory
Berks county has been the fidelity Of democratic masses
to principle, and all those public who have them
selves been They have never wavered in the con-
test against abotonism. They undismayed during
the Of the bank upon the heroic Jackson and they
have proclaimed and proved their feay every demo
cratic administration that has been fearless and faithful in
guarding the public inerests When however the ques
ton of knownohingsm started upon Them they gave
most emphatic manifestation of their orthodoxy 1t was
in Berks that the alien and sedion law mereiessy
forced during the reign Of terror under John Adams Then
as now, Berks was powerful auxiliary Of the democratic
party Her editor addressed the German population of the
eountythe who had left the Old World to enjoy the
perfect freedom of the Hewand eoqueny advised them 10
oppose the party which attempted enact naral
cation laws than hose of King George the Third He also
cried aloud against the attempt Of the party to
ze the press and to the free avowal Of opinion
the part of the citizen For this he torn from his
printing Office by gang Of federal mercenaries, and
whipped ia the market place. This than fifty
five years ago 1t is easy to realize from this retrospect
therefore what effect the present imitation Of the alien
and sedon movement has had upon the intelligent and
patriotic people Of This beautiful region. half cen
fury which has served 10 develop the amazing mineral
aud the less amazing agricultural products
Of that wealthy district of Pennsylvania has also served
to establish the practical valGe Of liberal laws the sub
ect Of naturalization and emigration. B half century
has cured nnrrow-mnded reudice and passion. II
has not killed off the of demagogues and Of fanatics
1t hts not taught arsocratic politicians the fatal folly of
the monarchica doctrines advocated by John Adams and
repealed by Thomas Jefferson On the contrary wisely as
the masses have proed by the lessons of experience and
Of time many of those who essay to lead public opinion
grope in the valley and the shadow.
Its such remembrances these that give peculiar in
terest the following proceedings Of the democrats of
Berks county at their annual meeting in Reading the
nth Of the present month The meeting was unusually
large and animated and the proceedings of most
harmonious character Derks is the county so ably rep
resented ia our national councils by the Hon. Clancy
Jones The following resolutions unanimously
adopted;
eolpcd by the democrats of Berks county, in annual
meeting assembled
~. That the platform Of principles laid down by the
tains full and explicit exposition of democratic doctrine
upon all questions of national policy and we hereby resirm
the same that upon which willing again go be-
fore the country and abide the decision Of an Intelligent peo
2 That we cordially endorse the resolutions passed by
the Democratic State Convention Of 1885, and heartily APP
prove the nomination Of Arnold Pume of Vennngo county
Tor canal commissioner wing full confidence his political
fidelity democrat, and honesty and capacity as
80 That the administration Of Franklin Pierce has been
conducted conformity democratic precedent and prac
tice and in strict with the spirit OF the patriotic
maxim, No North, no South, no East no Vests but "a
cred maintenance of the ccnon bond and true devotion to
the common brotherhood
GA That State sovereignty in all matters purely internal
principle democratic faith and that,
Of this principle we recognise the policy and justice q non
the people thereof free to establish such local
institutions not contrary to law snd public morals &c e
Sates into the Union with without slavery Justified
BY the precedent set BY the fathers Of the republic in the
formation Of federal Union and confirmed by the uniform
practice of Congress from that day to thia,
s5 That Tho right Of Americans 10 rule America is so
clear and inhptable, that since George III Of England
lnauished his dominion these States foreign prince
poentate has attempted to oppose and that af the
example Washington and his compatrots Of the reyol
tion recognise Americans all citizens whether by birth
adoption, who attached TO our republican institutions
and live in obedience to tic constitution and laws
60 That regard with unqualified disapprobation the
existence in this land, where freedom OF thought free discus
son and free press have been considered sufficient
safeguard against public of secret political society
which letters the viii and conscience Of its members with
lawful oaihs compes them to vote for whomsoever it she
decree counsels them To Discrimination and aehood in
their intercourse with others that regard such societies
nti-Amcricsn in their origin anirepubican in their
spirt destructive in their tendency OF the very first
principles of civil liberty and that declare unaiterabe
seeks 70 deprive men Of any Of lie tights Of citizenship on
of the accident Of birthplace, conscientious differ
of religious belief For Justification OF this host
y appeal authorities purely American l. The Dec
araon Of Independence, which enumeraes among the in
usurpaons suffered by the American people at the
hands King of Great Britain his endeayos ito prevent
the population of these States by Constructing the laws for
naturalization Of foreigners and refusing pass Others to
encourage their migration hther And q The comstitu
ton Of the United States which provides that mo religious
shall be required qualification TO any Office
public trust under the United States
81 That congratulate the democracy of Virginia
the noble triumph they recently achieved the eahy
foe that flushed with at the North boosted itself
invncbe. We recognise in their gallant standard bearer
Henry A. Wise bold, chvalrous and eloquent champion
democratic principles worthy occupy the executive
chair OF the good old Commonwealth, which has
deed from the faith she learned at the feet of her JEFF
feTson.
49, That wo have nished confidence in the integ
rty, ability, and sound democracy Of the Hon. j. CLANCY
JONES' representative in Congress, and that his public
acts meet most cordial appreciation.
That the premedated fraud practsed upon the demo
Of Berks county by Jeremiah Mengle, John r. Lin
dermsn and Samuel Shearer, in secretly joining the know
nothing order while they proossed still to be democrats and
the deliberate violation of their solemn pledge denying all
connection with that ORDER have forfeited their every claim to
recognition members of the democratic party and justly
them TO the dstrust and of all honorable
TO- That the passage by the last legislature of prohib
tory liquor law, opposition TO the will OF the people,
fairly expressed through the baot-box
bic stretch of legislative authority which should not be suf
ered in sence that the law itself is in opinion an in
frngement upon personal liberty invasion Of vested
rights property and tyrannea attempt to force into
abstinence from that which, in i rational use has the
ton Of universal custom and higher than human author
iy and that will employ all proper efforts to secure the
repeal Of said law ut the time pedgng support to
practicable and necessary for arresng the evils
OF incompetence and preventing abuses in the liquor traffic