Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1855-08-29
promise line ought TO be demanded and insis-
ted an as n matter of rioht.

ted on as matter OF right.
Z The reassertion of the Wing principles
the value of which every hour is confirming
of protection in some form to American indus
try, and especially to the staple interests of
Pennsylvania yet struggling into existencc-
the policy of peace and neutrality on the part
of the general government, and resolute alb
stinence from all schemes of foreign aggran-
diserent and sympathy or affinity to foreign
politics.
These resolutions, after free discussion,
were laid on the table, my own vote being the
only one recorded in their favor; and yet /
hope may be permitted TO say there were few
of the Committee who did not, in their hearts
and consciences, agree to every word in them
It is dne to my colleagues ia add that some OF
them put their votes on the resolutions strictly
on the ground of inexpediency and doubt
as to the powers of the Committee With
them. however. readily united those others of
our colleagues who afe not ashamed to ayow
that they are Know-N -Nothings. and, as such,
under paramount if not exclusive allegiance
During that discussion one of these gentle
men, as you will recollect, said with emphasis,
and without word leading to it, that If these
resolutions passed he would resign Till then
no word which, by any possibility could be con-
strued into threat, had been whispered-cer-
tainly not by me. But the feeling and reso-
luton were all along cherished that. IT, after
all that had occurred, the sacrifice Of Mr. Dar-
sic, the discreditof last winter at Harrisburg,
the insolent abandonment of the very name of
the Wing party, and, above all, the prevalent
suspicion that affected every one, these reso-
lutions. or something like them, were not pass
ed, my duty as gentleman was very clear,
to vacate, as l now do. my position. 1t is a
resolution. 1 assure you, pot lightly formed or
which can be reconsidered.
The resolution affirmed this secret organiza-
ton. with its proscriptive and eyasive oaths,
to be not only unconstitutional, but Immoral! !
deliberately reitirate that opinion, be It's
value what it may. without agitating another
grave question, whether these combinations
and these extra Judicial oaths are not strictly
unlawful. 1t is very safe kind of swearing
for easy consciences when no penalties of per-
jury are risked. am, by education and
principle, opposed TO all extra judicial oatks--
having been taught long ago by one of the
greatest lawyers Pennsylvania ever produced
-one, too, whose memory most affectionate-
| ly nonrish, that the administering or the pro-
nouncing of any oath. except by authority of
law, is anoffence against the law. The exam
| pie of this secret party is making them fear
| fully common-this taking in vain the Almigh-
| ty's name-..t this rash swearing not requi-
red by the magistrate" which the wisdom OF
more than one PROTESTANT church condemns ]
am free to say that oaths of exculpation are
nearly as repugnant as oaths of initiation and
prescription. Aside. repeat. from all qaes-
ton of law, the whole secret organization is
immoral. and degradingly SO in this, that il
exacts evasion and sometimes the denial OF
truth. If it does not now. it certainly did 50
once, in its prime of youth and pride of vic
tory. The obligation once was, and fear is
yet, to evade the confession of membership il
possible. and if not, expressly to deny it; aud
/ have myself seen instances of this degra-
| ding prevarication which make the use Of the
word q immoral almost too gentle
| One other word, and have done. Il shall
look with deep interest to the constitution and
action of the Convention which is summoned
to meet at Harrisburg in September. trusl
its action may be unreserved in the enunciation
of principles -conciliatory to those who agree
in principle and REPUBLIcAN in every sense
and most so in this, that no whisper shall b.
uttered, no intimation given, that can be con
strued into an interference with religious lib
erty, which the Constitution guards, or with
social or political rights. which the Constitu-
ton recognizes. l am, very respectfully
yours.
WM. B. REED.