Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-05-15

The following are the resolutions of the
Democratic and Anti Knowing- Nothing (alas)
Loco-Foco Convention, which nominated Mr..
Berrett
81. ResoIoed, That in presenting the name
of James G. Berrett for election as mayor of the
city of Washington, we deem it proper to pro-
test.upon every consideration of truth and JUS
tce, against the impression which to some
extent prevails in this community, as well as in
Congress, that the present city government is
responsible for the violence and outrage unfor-
tunately prevailing here. [They are properly
attributable to causes of an entirely different
character. The defective moral training of the
youth OF the land, in consequence of the general
disregard of parental obligations; the almost
universal laxity of criminal jurisprudence, from
sickly sentimentality in regard to the punish
ment of capital crimes; the inadequate punish
ment inflicted for minor offences; the bad ex-
ample OF men in high places these, and other
CEASES combined, have vitiated the best elements
of society everywhere, and inflicted upon it
evils innumerable, if not ncurable.l
". Resotoed, That prominent among these
causes was the introduction into our midst of
the know nothing organization, which by array
ing friend against friend, and brother against
brother, has broken up the pure fountains of
friendship and love, precipitated upon us the
bitter waters Of fraternal strife and hatred, and
shaken the very foundations of society.
3 Resotoed, That the evils incident to a
partizan police are justly chargeable to that
party. While in power it invaded, in a man
ner hitherto unprecedented, every department
OF the municipal government with the most
ruthless prescription, striking down all who
had not subscribed to its illegal tenets, and
rendering life and property insecure by the
VIGOROUSLY partizan character of the entire
police force of the city who, urged on by inHu-
ences engenderedin secret political clubs stmu-
lated rather than repressed outrages of the most
serious character. Whatever may be the fail
lngs OF the present police force, those who COM
pose it are not justly liable to the charge of
being partizans. They are .treemen, in the
just sense OF that term-unbound by unconsti-
tutonal oaths, and perfectly free to do Justice
70 all whether to the manor born or not.
[ Good and applause.]
"A. Resolced, That the leaders Of the know
nothing party being responsible to an immeas-
urable extent for the present demorazed con-
dition of society, many of those who in the
main composed it, now come forward with bad
grace disclaiming party rule in municipal af-
lars, and asking the votes of the people upon
independent grounds. ['That's it. and ap-
plause.l Those who trust them, judging from
the bitter experience Of the past, will find them
selves dependent, rather than independent, not
only for the free and full exercise of their pot-
ical rights but for the life and liberty which
they enjoy under the providence of God and
the provisions of the Federal Constitution. We
therefore call upon all who are opposed to the
principles and practices of know-nothingism,
as evidenced here as well as in Baltimore, Louis
vile, Cincinnati, New Orleans, and other large
Cities to stand firm and unite with us in crush.
ing out, finally and forever, the last remnants
of this miserable faction.
So ResolUed That the invasion of our then
quiet and peaceful city, on the day of the last
municipal election, by hordes of know-nothinp
rutfians from Baltimore, is without a parallel in
the history of civilized communities. TGood1
Our warmest thanks are due, and are hereby
rendered, to the President of the United States
and to the Hon. Secretary of the Navy for the
readiness and prompttude with which thew
responded to the call of the mayor of the CITY.
and by the interposition of military force re-
PEELED the invading foe, and rescued the CAPITAL
oil the Republic from the carnage which other
wise awaited it. Those who were absent in
their iar-distant quiet homes can have no ade-
quate and proper idea of the condition of things
winch on that occasion, existed here, render
ing 1t not only justifable but obligatory on the
proper authorities to vindcate the supremacy
oil the law at all hazards and to the last ex.
temity." [Applause.l
NOW, we ask, can any one of common sense
expect, that any member of the American
party or conservative citizen, can or will vote
for such nominee w'
SOBER MAYoR-It has been a matter of
serious concern, and the subject of earnest con-
Versanon among the sanhedrim, for some time
prior to the meeting of Tuesday night how to
Keep the mayor sober for the occasionY Il
was determined that he should address the
meeting to show his intention Of supporting the
nominee, but the question was how to keen
him soberH After much deliberatipn thew
came to the conclusion that he should be the
first speaker, as they all agreed that If thew did
not, he would not be in fit condition to adj
dress the assembly at ALL
washington city was entertained last Sun
day by very pleasant and cheerful exbibi.
uon. Two kegs of ale were rolled out into the
street. the bungs knocked out and grand time
had, in politcalr discussion and jovial hilarity.
They are jolly set of dogs in Washington
always full Of fun and fight What pleasant
place it viii be on the day of election Lunch
burg Virginian Of the tn inst.