The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1872-05-24
The OberlIn Antl-secrecy Conven-
finn

OBERLIN, May 23.-The Anti.Secrecy
Convention met this morning ut the
usual hour. 1t had been announced that
tho ceremonies of comforting the degree
Of the Royal Arch.Mason would be per-
formed by an ex.mason, but the church
authorities objected, and the design was
abandoned. DR.. J. Thorn, Of Fairmount,
Ind, who has taken twenty-eight degrees
in masonry, gave d minute description
Of masonic ceremonies, signs and oaths.
By vote of the Association the publica.
tion Of the cynosure was transferred from
the Association into the hands of Cook &
Co., of Chicago, A meeting of all those
who were desirous Of political action,
was appointed for seven o'clock this even
ing.
The National Christian Association op-
posed to secret societies completed its
business and adjourned this afternoon. 1t
was shown by test votes taken on several
occasions that a majority of the Conven.
tion favored the adoption OF an anti.secret
platform and putting in nomination Pres
idential ticket. Those who favored the
making of nominations, were opposed to
taking action as q Christian Association,
and desired tho nominations to be made
in mass meeting, accordingly call was
made for q meeting Of those delegates who
were in favor Of taking national political
action, tobe held at half pastseven. Near
ly oil the delegates who were present in
the afternoon, attended the evening meet.
ing, and unanimously adopted the follow
ing declaration and resolutions.
WHEREAS, We believe that the net
work of the secret orders now spread and
spreading throughout this county and the
world are essentially different from and
opposed to q Christian Church and q Re.
publican State. lE- t.-. m rGsS
ReSOlred, That we recommend TO all
American voters, who sympathise with US
in these connections, 10 support in the
pending national canvass for President,
Hon. Charles Francis Adams; OF Mass; for
Vice President, General Charles Il.
Howard, of Illinois; and tohcreaS, we have
no time to arrange the details made
proper and necessary by these nomina-
tions, we refer tho same to Sthe following
committee, requesting them to prepare q
platform Of principles, including political
opposition to the secret orders, opposition
TO the traffic in intoxicating liquors, with
other needed reforms and sound princi-
pies of national policy, in which both
Republicans and Democrats arc agreed,
and to publish the same in the Christian
CynoSur6, with the above nominations, for
approval or disapproval Of our -constitu-
ents and thoaewho may concur with them
in their township, county and other local
associations, aud their action for or
against the said platform and nomina-
tions, be faithfully published in the same
paper, so that If generally approved
measures may be taken in the several
States to secure the largest possible sup
port Of the same at the polls in the ap-
preaching national election.
The members OF the platform commit
tee are as follows: L
President, James Blanchard, Wheaton
Illinois; Philo Carpenter, Chicago, iii:
nois; j. A. Hart, Wheaton, Illinois; Rev
J.. Bailey, Peoria, Illinois; s. NJ. Stratton
New York, s. B. Allen, Illinois; Mr.,
Hand, Wisconsin; O. II. Blanchard, Iii.
nois; w. B. Orvis, Indiana; Adam Floyd,
Pennsylvania; u M Snyder. Illinois
Prof. Milton Wright, Dayton, Illinois, and
]. B. Stoddafd, Illinois.
The people of Oberlin express the deep
est regret that a nomination upon such
IN issue should have been made here, be.
cause the place will seem to be identified
with the movement. Several Of the most
prominent citizens declare that while
some disapprove Of secret societies, an ex
ceedingly small number only are in
sympathy with the methods Of this organ
ization, and probably none approve the
idea OF nominations on this issue. IAmonl
the members of the college faculty only
three are in sympathy with tho measures
OF this organization,