Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1863-05-06
The Voice of Old Berks.

one place without some overriding cause.
The Voice of Old Berks,
One Of the largest meetings ever held in
Old Berks, came off in Reading, on the
DIST. 1t is represented by these present
us al immense gathering of the honest
I~yeomanry. Hon. S. Z. AnCona presided
on the occasion. A committee consisting
ofone from each township, borough and
ward in the city and county, reported the
following resolutions, which were unani-
mously adopted
Whereas, 1t is among the inalienable
rights of d free people to assemble either
in public or in private, openly or secretly,
as they may choose, subject only TO the
constitution and laws Of the land and
Whereas, An attempt has recently been
made by the present authorities of the
United States, in violation OF thJse rights,
10y arresling reaceable citizens of the
county Of Berks, carrying them beyond
the jurisdiction of their own courts on
charges and pretenses founded on mere
rumor, and without the slightest iounda,
ton in fact, therefore,
R5S0lgsd, BY the Democracy Of Berks
county, IN mass meeting assembled, that,
while We will obey the constitution and
laws OF our country. and mako 20 forcible
( resistance TO the execution Of any process
administered by the Government within
the limits Of its legitimate functions, zee
VU not submit 10 nor toirrats NE SFghtcst en-.
croachUe,t upon orr rights andprirRcgc }ucd.
attempt ~W meet rih orr resistance at all Rdz.
ardS and regardless 9fcon5eYVcnccs.
RfSolcsd. That secret societies, political
or otherwise, are not in themselves in vios
lation of the Constitution and laws, and
that whenever q free people see proper TO
organize themselves, in secret or in pub.
lie, they have fright to protection, and if
the government, for political pun poses,
fails to render that protection, we pledge
ourselves to furnish it to the extent ofour
power.
RcSoiycd, That whenever such societies
are organized upon principles at variance
with the Constitution ard laws in their
letter or spirit, or whenever the tendency
of such Organization Infringes upon the
constitutional rights OF any citizen on &c,
, count Of the place Of his birth, his religion,
or any other guaranteed right, we regard
such societies as Illegal, subverslve Of law
and order, and deserving the conaemna-
ton of all good citizens.
ReSolUcd, That while the Democracy Of
Berks recognize and sustain the rights of
our people, under such restrictions, so 10
organize, as a mere question Of right ap.
pertaining to freemen. and deem IL of the
highest importance that eternal vigilance
at all times should be exercised 10 guard
against the slightest encros chmects upon
any tights, we DO not deem secret politi,
cal organization either desirable or eXpe
dent, as long as open organization can be
maintained without danger from armed
intervention or OF bodily harm. Unless
such danger exists, the tendency will all
most invariably be dangerous to the rights
of others, by falling into the hands Of bad
men. Pebble liberty as well as private
rights, may be undermined b fore the
public is aware Of the danger. These evils,
under the control of good and true men,
may he avoided but secret societies Of a
political character are lavorites with all
that class of men who dread the light for
fear Of exposure.
Rcsolced, That if secret political socie,
ties have recently been organized among
us, it is to be presumed they are for no
other purpose than the protection of their
rights against unconstitutional laws. I'M
til the contrary is proven the character Of
our people warrantth belief but, as such
objects can better be secured by the open
organization Of our whole people, in strict
accordance with law, and without furnish.
ing p~retexts for armed intervention by a
military power, we earnestly iecomr
mend all such to abandon the secret fent.
ure, and join US in open organization in
every ward, township and borough of our
%couLtry. Such Il movemen: will strength
and power at home, inspire confidence,
and weld moral influence abroad.
Resolce2, That we are equally hostile 10
Abolitionisis North and secessionists
South. We regard both alike as tending
10 the same result one is the openly ayow.
ed advocate OF a separate C~onfederacy ?
the other the advocate of principles which
must inevitably end there.
= Resolved, That we regared the enamel
patton proclamation, the CONSUMPTION law
and the ccnfiscation acts as clearly un-
constitutional hut while We pledge oul
united efforts to test them in all legal
modes within our reach, we will not in,
fringe upon or violate any law, whatever
may be our present opinions, until il is
pronounced by the proper judicial au-
, thorites to be null and void. 1t is better
, TO bear many grievances of temporary
character, than to plunge our country inN
to anarchy, ending in military ~dsspotism,
/, and destroying all our hopes for the
future.
ReSohed, That resistance by force TO an
, invasion oforr personal freedom is a vir'
| tue and II the insane threat ofa distin'
guished military chieftain, distinguished
| more for the position he holds than for a.
: chievment in arms to put his heel upon
The necks Of northern men, DO attempted
to be carried out, we promise him warm