Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1856-02-09
The pemocracy or Mary.ana

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At meeting Of the Democratic men,
bers Of tie Legislature Of Maryland,
held at the city of Annapolis, january
30, 1855, William d. Roberts, Of Talbot
county, was called to the chair, and Z.
D. Tower, Of Allegany county, appointed
secretary. The following resolutions
were unanimously adopted, and ordered
to be published:
Res,lee5, That the organization Of Sc
cret associations for the accomplishment
Of political purposes. binding thcirmcm-
bcis by oaths or pledges to the mutual
support Of each other, and to common
obedience to the authority Of the assoc
citation to which they belong, IS ropug-
nant 10 the institutions of Il republican
government, inconsistent with the digni-
ty Of its citizens, and dangerous to its
prosperity and its permanently.
Resoiced, That freedom OF conscience
is an essential element of the liberty of
our country and every attempt to visit
upon any class Of its citizens the degra-
dation of civil disability on account of
religious opinions is direct attack upon
u vital principle Of the government.
Resotrea, That we congratulate the
country upon the administration Of
Franklin Pierce, President of the United
States; and in the history of his admin
istration, in connection with the history OF
the administration Immediately preceding
it, we recognize the policy of the federal
government as finally established and ac-
guessed in upon those subjects which
heretofore formed the issues Of the two
great political parties.
hcS0(red, That we most cordially an
prove and commend the high and dign;-
lied position President Pierce has as
sumed, and which, together with him,
The Democratic party Of the Union has
taken, in defence Of the rights secured to
the various sections of our country under
the federal constitution, in support Of the
principles Of the Kansas-Ncbiaska bill,
and in patriotic and unwayering opposi-
ton to all secret political associations,
and to all organizations attempting, eth
er directly CT indirectly, to impair the
sacred privilege Of liberty Of conscience,
to abridge the equal rights oftlo people
Of this country By an arbitrary, unjust,
and unconstitutional discrimination be-
tween the natiye-born and the naturalized
citizen; ard will maintain, in its present
organization, the integrity Of that party,
as the only party now in the country
whose organization is national, whose
principles are in accordance with the
federal constitution, and whose purposes
are patriotic and just; and in this high
political duty we invite all good citizens
to cooperate within
Rcsoired, That, whilst we sincerely
regret the delay in the organization Of
the House Of Representatives Of the
United States, we cannot Withhold the
commentator Justly due to the Demo-
cratic members Of that body for their
firm and unwayering adherence to the
national and patriotic principle pro
claimed by them in their resolution of
the first day Of December last; and rely
upon their high intelligence and known
patriotism for a steady perseverance in
the same open, direct, and uuwavcrine
policy they have hitherto pursued: if
tactionsin chat body should unhappily,
still further delay its organization, they,
at least, cannot be cansurablo.
Rcsolrea, That the patriotic course
pursued by General Thomas L. Bowie
and Hon. james A. Stewart, two Of our
representatives in Congress, meets our
cordial approval
Reso'eea, That Governor Ligon has
proved himself worthy Of the confidence
which the people Of Maryland have re-
posed in him in him our State has a
faithful public servant and fearless de-
fender Of the civil and religious RIGHTS
and privileges of her citizens.
WA. D. ROBERTS, Chairman.
f. b. Tower, Secretary.