Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-05-22


The following are the resolutions of the
Democratic and Anti-Knowing- Nothing (alias)
Loco-Foco Convention, which nominated Mr..
Berrett
81. ResoI0ed, 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
tice, 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 sentimentaty 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
cases combined, have vitiated the best elements
of society everywhere, and inflicted upon it
evils innumerable, if not incurable.l
90. Resoloed, 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 Resoloed, That the evils incident to
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 tcnets, 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, stimu-
lated rather than repressed outrages of the most
serious character. Whatever may be the fail
ings 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 uncons,i-
tutional oaths, and perfectly free to do justice
to all, whether to the manor born or not
lGood ana applause.
~. Resoloed, That the leaders of the know
nothing party being responsible to an immeas-
urable extent for the present demoralized 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
fairs and asking the votes of the people upon
Independent grounds. ['That's it. and APP
plause.] 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 polit
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 ACKNOWLEDGMENT,
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. Resolced, That the invasion of our then
quiet and peaceful city, on the day of the last
municipal election, by hordes of know-nothing
ruffians from Baltimore is without parallel in
the history of civilized communities. Good
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 promptitude with which they
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
of the Republic from the carnage which other
wise awaited it. Those who were absent in
their far distant quiet homes can have no ade-
quate and proper idea Of the condition Of things
which on that occasion, existed here, render
ing it not only justifable but obligatory on the
proper authorities to vindicate the supremacy
of the law at all hazards and to the last ex-
tremity." [Applause.]
Now, we ask, can any one of common sense
expect, that any member of the American
party or a conservative citizen, can or will vote
for such a nominee.