Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1855-01-23
THE KSOW-NOTHINGS.

TO THE PUBLIC.
As il il generally known in this community TINT l
was a member of the far-falned secret political organ
iza,ion known under the soubriquet Of know-Noth
ings and as l have withdrawn from all connection
with the same, l deem it but proper that my with
drawal should be equally as well known with my rea'
sons therefor.
On the I'd of October last, at meeting OF the
Council to which attached, offered the follow
ing preamble and resolution, which the Council re.
fused to receive alleging want OF Jurisdiction; nui
advised ME 10 present them to the Grand Council oi
the district through of the delegates OF that body
accordingly addressed the accompanying letter tn
the Grand Council, which, with the resolutions, |
handed to n delegate to he presented at the next
meeting, Oct =. They were not, however, presented
till the 2Dt when the Council refused 10 receive
tem on the ground that they could not entertain IN.
,livi,iua communications, aud could be approached
only through the subordinate councils mot much
Amcrcanism in that. The whole were returned I"
ur with that information. On the I'd instant, again
presented the sui jcr n the subordinate council, ask
iny 10 have the resolutions with my letter transmit
ted TO the Grand Council. read each and all OF the
preamblcs and resolutions in Il loud and distinct tone,
and as they were severaly read, they rejected
bv the President "a totally inadmi.sablc Iappeaed
FROM his decision, aud he was sustained by an unanl-
NOUS vote. Thus bafficd, nothing remained for me
but to ask for my dismissal, which was readily grant
Cd The whole matter speaks for itself, and It IL
scarcely necessary ask whether good citizens would
make any sacrifice by endorsing the resolutions.
Washington, Nov. 3. JAMES OWNER.
NUMBER |.
Whereas, 1t would more accord with the spirit OF
the free institutions Of0ur country, and with our char
actcr ns citizens thereof, that should direst our
selves OF all unnecessary concealnent and
Whereas, We are responsible only 10 the Const-
tuition aud laws of the United States for our purposes
and acts there can be existing necessity for with
holding our names members oi the supreme Order
of the Sons of the Sres of Seventy Six from the pub
lie; therefore
Resolved That the Injunction of secrecy be, and is
hereby, removed from all the proceedings OF the Or
der in the District of Columbia excepting 10 far as re-
CARDS signs of recognition and passwords; and that
the secretaries Of the several subordinate councils be
required To publish in ofthe newspapers of Wnsh-
aS:on city, perfect list Of the names of the members
q" their respective councils including the names OF
Wa members who have temporarily withdrawn.
A., NUMBER H.
Metcns, Exclusive jurisdiction over the District OF
svu. uo.a vested in Congress, the citizens thereof
=; ,h u" voice III the election of their rulers stand
.h H % %It'ous position of disfranchised freenen, oil
sne aru privileges Of American citizens being
guaranteed by the cnnstjtution
;,1aa ca! All just power OF governments ia de-
rlVea from the governed we hold that Congress has
no constitutional power to unss amv Inv that would
deprive them of those right, and nr,r;,sess w;tbont
their consent.
And whereas, Domestic slavery as II er;,,s in tho
District of Columbia IL right recorp1ed Inv the
constitution
Therefore, Resolved, That any act of Conrre,s to
abolish slavery in the District Of Columbia, Without
the consent Of the people thereof would be receive.
with apprehension and viewed AZ an abuse Of power
az an act Of tyranny that would be but precedent
for usurpation. y ~.
Resolved That so long as domestic slavery exists in
the States Of Virginlaand Maryland, tho abolition OF
it in the district Of Columbia woald be dangerous to
the peace and welfare Of these States.