The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-05-26

able right. The coward, the willing
slave cam not diveSt himself or It. 1t
goes with him In lhs bondage, however,
resreant he be to nature.
Sir, he Ia wrongfully despoiled, his
right invaded, grievous injury done,
When TO any man, Is denssd any part or
snare of his social rights or privileges
by reason of his religious faith. II
property, If place, If honor be his right
ful due among his fellows. he who strikes
aught away OF either becauss, Of religious
opinion is an enemy to law. 10 humanity,
ana a Its hopes. Hosts humani geherIs
AND therefore 1t Is, sir, that this sta
tue or James Marquette Will stand as q
monument and embhsm Of religious llb-
erty., The noble right to honor and re-
membranes among men, which the Leg
islature of wisconsin and the Congress
of the United States havEl declared to
be his. he Is not idenied. 1t Is sacredly
preserved.
The Democratic party of Oregon, in
its convention held at Portland q few
days ago, set forth in no uncertain terms
the views OF the Oregon Democrats in
referen,e to this organization, which are
as follows:
That religious differences should find
no place IN American politics, and, the
Democratic party Is opposed to spirit
or !ntc&erant bigotry fostered for politt-
cal purposes by those who seek 10 breed
d$cord and animoslty among, the citi-
zens of this Republic.
Secret political parties are a curse to a
party. State, and nation.
we heartily welcome the assistance of
all good citizens who VIII cooperate in
the suppression OF any political move
ment organized for religious proscrip-
ton.
Mr.. President, secret, oath-bound po-
lttical parties having the enactment of
laws and the guidance of public policy
FOR their objects are in!,nical to the well
rare OF this republic and q dangerous
menace to It's liberties. They should not
exist within our land. There Is no rea-
son in this country. where there q no.
taing to prevent the fullest and freest
public discussion of any subject, for the
existence of secret societies, whose
places of meeting are not known, whose
proceedings are carefully concealed.
whose membard are oalth-bound There
Is no KIND CT honest political work that
needs TO he thui raemmed in and conceal
ed. Such political associations have
Deen universally condemned wherever In
the world they have existed, and most
Justly. They have the approval of no
thoughtful men who have given the
subject consideration
washington, in h:s farewell address.
his remarks apply with ss.ll more force
to secret societies:
All combinations and associations nm
der whatever plausible character. with
the real design to direct and control the
regular deEberat!on and acton of the
constituted authorities, are destructive
OF the fundamental principles of the ma
tlon and OF fatal tendency. They serve
10 organize faction, to give II an a,,s,
n t1d
the place OF the delegated will of the
nation the Will of a party. often a small
out artful and enterpr;s!ng minority Of
me community, and according to tho
alternate triumphs of different parties, to
make the public admip Il trat!on the mt.
ror OF the Fll-concetved and lncongruous
projects of faction rather than the organ
of consistent and wholesome plans di-
gested by common counsels and modified
by mutual interests
However. combinations or associatiops a
OF the above description may now and
then answer popular ends. they are likelv
IN tne course of time and things TO ba-
come potent engines by which cunning
amoatious. and unprinciplod men viii be
anied 10 subvert the power Of the peo-
pie.
The whole people are equally interest
ed IN the welfare OF this country apd
&
with the rest IN every deltberation and
IN all Legislation affecting II. Ian noli-
teal clubs, societies. and assoo.ations
start on their career with professions
sk1lfuliy drawn so as to make It appaar
that their purposes are patriotic arr,
worthy OF support; but all of them as
soon as they have obtained power, are
used by unprinc.pled men to do wrong
rms 10 the history of the Carl,onar, ths
N:hilists. the Jacob!ns, the Anarchssts
ana the Commune and this wsn be the
Eistory OF the A. p. A. unless dts evil
tendencies are perceived In time by the
American people and its dangerous On
reer stopped by their good sense and
Judgment. 1 have faith, Mr.. President
without bounds or limits. in the Amers,
can people, in their moderation. wisdom
Justlce and courage. / do not believe
uaat they wili submit to the dictaHs,n
or any SUCH organization as the A y
A. but that they will promptly and ef-
relatively stamp with the seal OF their
conuemma t!on this impudcnt and danger
Gus interference with the interests of tbs
Republic. 0- '''s
THE ELKs' MEMORlAL.