Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1856-02-16
Geeislat'ipe.
MIR. wICKEs, SPEECH.

III Tue IlOUSc Oh iJelepdIeS, on nurS-
day week, Mr. WIcKEs, of Allegany,
offered an order, 'that any one of the
Committee to whom was referred so much
of the Governors Message as relates TO
secret political societies, &C., be empow-
cred to have witnesses summoned, &c. :"
Notwithstanding considerable opposition,
he finally succeeded in obtaining the
floor, and expressing briefly his reasons,
as follows:
Mr.. WIcKEs said that he felt particu-
larly anxious to give expression to his
views upon the order before the House,
from the fact that he was necessarily alb
sent from his seat when the vote was
taken upon the motion of the gentleman
from Charles. He had known that this
proposition, or the one similar to it, in
troduccd by his honorable friend, would
be presented to the attention of the
House, he would, without doubt, have
postponed to some future time, 'the con-
sideration of the matters demanding his
attention, and have placed upon the rec
ord his approval of the order of the
member from Charles. When the Ex-
ecutive of this State, in his Message to
the Legislature, called the attention of
this House, to certain political societies,
existing among us, protesting principles
in direct conflict with the Constitution
and the laws of the land, and tending
to disturb the harmony and peace of
society, the majority of this House were
apparently astonished at the announce
ment. The wonder and surprise of gen
tlcmen were clearly indicated, and reso-
buttons were promptly introduced by the
honorable gentleman from Baltimore
! Mr. Kennedy, calling upon the House
to appoint a committee Of five to investi-
gate the subject without delay, and to
communicate with the Governor as to
the sources Of his information Power
D was given to that committee to send for
| persons and papers, for the purpose Of
, demonstrating or refuting the informa-
ton thus given by the Executive Al
= that time the political friends of the Gov
, ernor regretted that these political ques-
f tons should thus early be introduced, as
f tending to arrest the necessary legisla-
f tive business of the session, and expend
: the time limited by the Constitution, il
a mere political contests. When, however
= the gauntlet was thrown to us, and Tho
r challenge made we were ready to meet
/ the issue, and to remove all doubt as t.
/ the meaning Of the Governor, and give
explicit direction to the language of tho
S Message, he assumed the responsibility
G of saying that the Governor referred ia
= the American party represented by the
G majority on the floor of the House.
= Again, he charged that the party
, known as the American party, (for he
wished to be courteous, and would give
4 its chosen name, however inappropriate
| he might deem IL, is that organization
c pointed out in the Executive Message
He charged that this party was secret
party, and that the obligations and prin.
r ciples recognized by that party was not
G only anti-republican in their character
r but in direct conflict with the laws Of
, the land. Gentlemen might differ in
their opinions 1t is the right which
f every member of this body assumes, t.
entertain those political sentiments best
: suited to his perhaps too often
. guided by the hope of political advance
G ment. 1t is no less right which every
| member possesses, to call in question the
f political tenets Of any party organized
f in this country 1t is not only right,
r but duty incumbent upon them, to call
} to an account before the bar of the popu-
I lar tribunal any organization the prin-
r ciples of which they believe inconsistent
5 with the spirit Of our institutions and
a the existence of free government. 1t is
- believed, said Mr.. Wickes, that oaths Of
the most solemn character are admins
tered to the members of this organiza-
tion-oaths imposing an obligation to do
= that which the Constitution says shall
not be DONE by these oaths they arc
= robbed Of their freedom Of action; by
= these oaths they are forced TO yield to
r the will Of the majority; by these oaths
they are solemnly sworn to do all in their
, power to take from the American citizen
, his cherished political rights, and to i'm
t pose political disabilities upon large num-
bers Of citizens Of common blood and
Americans by birth, for no other cause
: than for exercising liberties Of conscience
} in the worshipping of their God.
He appealed to the majority of the
@ House-to their sense Of duty-to that
courtesy which he knew they pre-emi-
Y nently possessed-to their pride, as those
who assumed the initiative in this move
ment--to do all in their power TO fur
= ther the investigation Let us know,
said Mr.. Wickes-let the country know
= If this secret organization exists; let
= us know if this deadly plant has taken
a root in the soil Of our cherished State,
G which, spreading its fatal branches, must
| poison every stream Of social and politi-
cal life within her limits.
j If the majority of this House have
: placed themselves in dilemma; if the
{ position they assumed is indeed forced
J if their only object was to forestal the
inquiry we proposed, and thereby in yir-
tue Of their boldnoss TO deter us and
ward off discussion Of the principles Of
: their party; if they do not desire this
! investigation TO proceed, and deem the
consumption Of time unnecessary, we are
, satisfied, provided the facts disclosed in
, the Executive Message are assented to,
! and that the majority admit that they
! represent this "secrct political society"