Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1855-08-17
coue,poudeaes Of the E.snins Iostnsi.
The Know Something" Con-
vention at Rochester, NY.
ROCHESTER. Aug.

lie hnOW something" COn~
vention at Rochester, NY.
ROCHESTER, Aug. !.
Two branches of the so-caIed
"Know Something" Order have been
in session in this city yesterday and
to-day, the one the State Council,
organised last Fall in Utica, and the
other the Grand Lodge which was
represented in the National Convcn-
ton held in Cleveland last June
Both bodies were well represented
by large attendance Of delegates
from all parts of the State. One
object of the simultaneous meeting
here appears TO have been, to agree
on basis of union, whereby both
Of the organizations might fuse to-
geiher under one State jurisdiction.
The preliminary steps TO this OBJ
ject were taken in the most harmoni-
Gus manner by both bodies unani-
mously agreeing to the following
Platform of principles, and to adopt
the same Constitution and Ritual,
the National portion Of the latter
being that of the National League
organised in Cleveland:
AS servility to the Slave Power
characterizes the national organiza-
tons Of the existing POLITICAL parties.
and as this scrvility is perilous both
TO the MANHooo of the North and
the Liberty of the Republic,
VIZ DECLARE:
First-That the issue before tho
American People is, aohether Free
dom shall be limited to the Free
States, or whether Slavery shall be
limited to the Slave States.
.Second-That this issues has been
forced upon the country by the Slave
Power, through repeated aggressions,
and by acts which have violated ma
,ional faith, solemn compacls, and
sacred covenants.
Third-That these aggressions,
especially the Nebraska outrage,
J with the brutal assault upon the
elective franchise in Kansas, have
aroused the freemen of the republic
TO just sense Of their duty and their
danger; and though they will invade
no right ofany State, they will main
tain every right Of Freedom, and re-
sist the admission of another Stare
State or the addition Of another foot
Of Siave soil
Fourfh-That we shall meet this
issue, thus forced upon us, ia the
spirit our fathers met the issue Of
their day and believing, as they be-
lieved, that, rightfully, man can hold
no property in man, we will maintain
the NATIONALITY of Freedom.
, Finh-That Freedom being ono
in aim and end, the world over, the
, friends OF Freedom in this Republic
should make Principles and Charac-
ter, not birthplace, the test of add
mission 10 citizenship and its cons,i-
tulional rights.
AND WE FURTHER DECLARE - ai
Sirth--That the right TO worship
: God according to the dictates Of in
! dividual conscience being invaluable,
, we will labor TO strengthen this great
: immunity through wise State laws;
, but we will Iepel every politico-eccle-
. siastical interference, in political al
/ fairs, by potentate, pontifr or priest, or
= their abettors, as destructive alike of
this Right and our common Liberty.
Sepenth--That we are opposed TO
the repeal of the prohibiiory Liquor
a Law OF this State, or to any modii-
{ cation thereof, except such as exper-
i fence in its workings clearly show 10
n be necessary to lis efficient and thor
Q ough enforcement.
|. Eighth-That Free Schools, Free
!, Labor, the improvement Of Rivers
d and Harbors, an honest Republicans
: Official Representation Abroad, all
b measures that tend 10 elevate MAN,
: establish the material prosperity Of
e the country, and give stability TO tho
$ Union, shall receive our hearty sup
0 port.
!, Ninth-That to insure practical
1 success, we viii strive to fill all off,
: cos with men of undoubtcd integrity
and sobneiy, OF ability, and of nerve
e to resist aggression upon Right, como
$ when, where, or in what shape il may.
, Tenth-That for these objects.
:. vital alike to Humanity and the Re-
! public, we are ready to unite with all
men, under whatever name or organ
$ izaion, who will aid us in carrying
e into successful operation these great
j. principles"
D The report Of the committee OF
b conference, consisting Of eight from
$ each organization, was received and
adopted by each with the most en-
! thusiastic expressions of qualification
and applause.
, The election ofoficers for the joint
> organization is TO take place in Syra-
+, cuse on the second Wednesday in
October, that being the time and
place for holding the regular session.
!, Att o'clock to-day both bodies
s met in joint convention in the largo
Hall in The Minerva Buildings. which
i was crowded. After the appoint-
ii (Sse 4th page.