Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1856-02-15

secret nolitical combinations or that oath, oblga
tons or hedges are administered in such councils
to The prejudice of any class OF American cltzens
and that there does not exist any design or purpose
in such societies to trouble, moest or oiscouh'en
ancen or to exclude from preferment or office any
citizen in consequence of the religion he processes, or
the place of his nativity, no one will be more pleased
shan myself, and~none more ready to acknowledge
that injustice has been done to large class OF our
neonle IT, however, the proofs adduced before your
committee shall concusvey establish that secret po-
litical councils have been organized among US for the
purposes and designs attributed to them, ! humbly,
conceive that there be little or no diversity OF
onnion as TO their tendency subver the well es-
tablished and dearly cherished principles of our gov
eminent. The Constitution degrades no man, either
on account of his place of birth, or his religious
opinions, but equally covers every citizen OF the
State, of whatever faith, or wheresoever born win
! it's protecting shield And if it shall be made to ap-
pear that in such of these political councils, may
be shown to exist oaths pledges are administered
| for the purpose OF qualifying or restraining the eX-
ercse of the right of suffrage, in any manner I'M
known to, or unwarranted by the Constitution: 1t
will be for you and those you represent to determine
how far such obligations shall be allowed 10 con-
fict with the constitutional obligations of the citi
zens to the State, and to apply the RENE y which
such condition of things may require
II might be we'll to consider, that while this mat
er is undergoing investigations whether this existence
of such a secret order may not have led in in
stance predetermined obstruction of the polls,
sutng in violence and disorder, and the exclusion
of the legal votes of orderly and disposed ciizens for
it is of the most imperative of the duties of the
State TO throw around electors of every class, wheh
er native adopted, every possible means of pro-
lection against any and all combinations, secret
open, that would hinder oveIawe them in the
ercse Of their right of voting, and thus mpede the
free course of the only legitimate of obtaining
IA fair expression of the public mind wilful and
deliberate obstruction of the polls is crime against
the State, which in view of It's consequences, assumes
degree of enormy to which it is difficult to aix
limit and the Legislature scarcely be too rigid in
the infctio of punishment upon those who may be
found guilty of such offence against the dignity of
the State and the right of the individual citizen. 1t
should at least be declared felony, and punished
accordingly. | hope, whatever may be the the result
of your present investigation that you commend such
action to the favorable notice of the Legislature, in
order that hencefoth any hnderance or obstruction
whatsoever with intent to prevent voter from de-
posting his ballot shall be punished with due severi-
| ty.
| have thus, sir, in the midst of unusual and con-
slant Interruptions, (not wishing to detain you from
the work before you by any delay on my part has
tily thrown together these few suggestions in COM
pliance with the request contained in your note to
which this is reply. | might have forborne to dc
more than 10 reiterae here the language of my
municatOn to the Legislature at the opening of the
session, containing all desired to say in the pre-
misses but in conformity with the wish expressed in
your note, and the accompanying resolutions of the
House of Delegates | thought it we'll 10 point out
the way in which, in my opinion the truth might be
reached. have the honor TO be, very respectfully
your obedent servant, T. WATKINS LIGoN.
LATEST FROM L1BERIA.-The New York Colonial
ton Society has advices from Liberia to The close OF
November: Every thing was going on favoraby in
that new Republic
The papers give an interesting account of Presi
Poho off visit III
At Buchanan he received with all honors due to
his high station.
The Young Mems Literary Association invited the
| President to public dinner, on which occasion an
address was delivered to him by Mr. Charles Pitman
q native youth, who received his education in New
| York, and was named after the lale Rev. Charles
Pitman, for years corresponding secretary of the
! Methodist Missionary Society. The president re-
sponded in interesting speech
The Rev. Mr. James, principal of the preparatory
i school, writes from Monrovia November 23d, tina
the schools are doing well school for young girls
has been opened hy Miss Caroline M. Brown, lately
from the United States.
President Benson has resolved to serve but on,
term of two years. He raised on his farm durin:
the past year about 10000 lbs Of coffee.
LATEST FROM HAYT1-1Ilitarv Executions By tn
Emperor.-The Baltimore Sun says BY the arr
val of the General Taylor at New York we have let
tiers from Port Prince to the 9th of January. II
respect to the political and commercial condition O
me capltal q correspondent OF the New YORK Pos
writes as follows:
PORT AU PRINCE, Jan. 6, 1856.
g, In respect TO political matters, hardl
: know what to write you, but the feeling seems to b.
much stronger that we are to have no revolution a
present The North and the South appear to b
perfectly quiet. and to this place, there is not tt
least sign of Instruction. The Emperor is said t.
be now at the Cape though, in very long time, W
expect him 10 come to Port au Prince, and then fin
ally to close the campaign-at least we hope so, aD
in that case business will Immediately revive all owe
the country, and consumption and sales be resumed
0 There has been quite a number of military execu
tions in the Amy. Among others, Gen Toussan
and Gen. Canlstre, of Jeremie, and another Genera
j from Aux Cages. The last two are said to hav
been traitors 10 the Government, and to have been
intimate terms with of the leaders of the Eas
tern people during several years past. Several off
It GERS of inferior grade have also been executed.
!. The arrivals of the Milton, John Boynton, Dagon
e Croton and Kerneson-all TO commence dschargin
to-morrow-have filled Cor rather will flu the plac
: to OVERLOOKING with provisions 1t is useless to quot
o prices, as they would be unsettled and falling fror
8 day TO day, and there are sales except for imme
Il diae consumption.
It Produce Sent Off.
e Happening in the Office of the Railroad Station
!, this place Wednesday last, We concluded to loo
u and the amount of flour, wheat and corn, thu