The daily union., 1856-01-31


thought The Language employed for the purpose free
from all ambiguity il certainly intended SO to be
and much surprised at finding myself nisunder-
stood learning that the fact Of the existence OF
such societies was any longer OF doubt or uneer-
tainty hope however that la this eopmunioation may
be Fortunate and that your committee may be at no
loss discover TO what political societies referred the
purposes for which II Is alleged they instituted.
Intended in the part Of the message referred to your
committee respeculy TO call the attention Of the repre-
sentayes Of the people 10 the fact OF the existence OF any
and all political societies combinations and
press the opinion that in my Judgment such associations
Of themselves calculated 10 produce great evil and are
inconsistent WITH and injurious to- the heathu action OF
republican institutions and that when the purpose OF such
societies reduce large portion OF the people to the
condition Of savsh submission TO their secret edets and
DEGREES and exclude from all honorable preferment the
Catholic and the naturalized citizen because Catholic
and natGrazed citizen they become dangerous in the
extreme and should awaken the deep socude OF every
true American in the State.
| am eredibly informed by large number of citizens
that In their opinion and belief there exist within
this State societies OF secret character whose
object and purpose is prevent the election or appoint
ent TO office Of any person belonging 10 the Roman Cath
olc Church, whoAs not nave-born citizen oil the
United States aud that In such secret associations eoun
cs or lodges oshs, pledges and obligations are admin
istered to effect this object
The existence of such unlawful combinations through
out The States has been repeatedly charged in the Congress
the United States in the legislatures Of Of
the States and by large portion OF the press and people
in every section o the country The fact is moreover
evidenced by disclosures made In the legislature of sister
State and by many members OF the 'order" who having
been thoughtesy and nnocently drawn into IL and find
ing that they deceived to its purposes have
swered the suggestions Of conscience by aburng the oahs
aud obligations therein illegally administered ~-~
With YOU gentlemen, abides under the sanction of the
house of delegates the power OF ascertaning the truth
or falsity of these serious allegations powerless
the premises beyond the making known you what fear
and believe in regard to them sts
You, however in the exercise Of the power conferred
upon you to send for and papers and to examine
persons under OATH to the existence of societies
and ends they propose accomplish may bring before
ynufh hp
eectualy set at rest the questions mt ISSUE twill give
me great pleasure to facilitate, by all means in my
power, the objects for which your committee raised
and in compliance with your request in your note OF yes
terday respectfully suggest that you take TO
copies Of the following papers, entitled as follows
viz The constitution of the national council OF the Uni
ted States OF North America and the accompanying
constitution for the government Of subordinate councils
the constitution Of the North Carolina State council
adopted January 18Th, 1855 address adopted in the
State council Of Massachusetts June 29th 1855 resolves
of the State council Of South Carolina adopted at meet
ing held Charleston, August l4tb 1885, copies of which
papers regret have at hand to lay before you. /
have doubt however the committee will be able if they
desire it, to procure them. ....
would further respectfully suggest that you summon
before you the delegates from this State to TIE convention
said to have been held at the city Of Cincinnati about the
close of the year 1884 and also delegates from this
State the national council held at the city Of Philadel
pha in the month of June last
Ths last body whose proceedings said to have been
Of principles 10 which would respectfully refer YOU
do because in the Sh section of said publication the
policy OF the Roman Catholic Church in country is
denounced aggressive and organized political resist
anoe to those Of the Catholic faith plainly indicated and
encouraged thus introducing religious Issues into the
field of political agitation ..-..a. ..-.s.. ..
The lth section Of this platform declares "that all the
principles OF the order shall be heacorh everywhere
openly avowed and that each member shall be liberty
make known the existence of the order and the fact
that he himself is member; and it recommends that there
be no eonceatent Of The places Of meeting OF subordinate
councils"
Here we have the most conclusive proof that the date
of
with the Hordcr' matter of secrecy its members
bound TO conceal its existence, and their connexion with
it, and from the specific statement above quoted of what
its members at liberty to reveal the conclusion
IS inevitable that there still left that which they
disclose to the uniniiiated.
further suggest that you summon before you such per-
Of ,especabity known TO have been
neced with the order and also others Who members
of the same and that seek produced before
the work ritual of any political order
may be in the possession Of any State subordinate
Gil in this State ofany agent officer of the
Should your inquiries result, trust they may, In sat-
styling the public mind that there such pol
ica combinations that oaths obligations pledges
administered in such councils TO the prejudice of any
class of American citizens aud that there does not exist
any design purpose in such societies TO rouble moes
diseountenance to exclude from prefement Office
any citizen in consequences Of the religion he processes
the place Of his nativity, will be ready
knowledge that injustice has been done large class Of
our people IT, however, the proofs adduced before your
committee shall concusvely establish that political
councils have been organized among for the purposes
and designs attributed to them, humbIy conceive that
there be little diversity of opinion to their
tendency TO subrer 1.-THE wellesabshed and dearlycher
ished principles Of our government"
The constitution degrades either account Of
his place of birth his religious opinions but equally
every citizen Of the State OF whatever faith
wheresoever born, With its protecting shield. And II
shall be made TO appear that in such Of these political
councils may be shown TO exist oaths pledges
administered for the purpose Of qualifying restraining
the exercise Of the right Of suffrage in any manner
known TO unwarraned by the constitution il win be for
you and those you represent 10 determine how such
tu
obligations OF the citizen TO the State aud apply the
remedy which such a condition OF things may require
IL might be well 10 consider while this matter is
degong investigation whether the existence of such se
order may not have led In instances TO prdeer
mined obstruction Of the polls resulting in violence and
disorder and the exclusion Of the legal orderly and
weldisposed czeus for II is Of the most imperative
of the duties Of the State throw around electors Of every
cass, whether native adopted any possible means Of
protection against any and all combinations secret or
open that would hinder them in the exercise Of
their right OF voting and thus impede the free course Of
the only legitimate OF obtaining fair expression Of
the public mind. ..
vul aud deliberate obstruction Of the polls Is crime
against the State which, in view Of It's consequences
sumes degree OF enormy to which IL is difficult ax
limit and the legislature scarcely be too rigid In the
iniction OF punishment upon those who may be found
guilty OF such an offence against the dignity Of the State
and The right Of the individual citizen II should least
he declared felony and punished accordingly. hope
whatever may be the result Of your present investigation
that you commend such action the favorable notice Of
the legislature in that benceforh any hndrance or
obstruction whatsoever with intent prevent from
deposng his ballot shall be punished with due severity
have thus sir in the midst Of unusual and constant in
terruponS not wishing detan you from the work he
fore you BY any delay my part hastily thrown ogeth