Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1905-11-09
knomnothIna Party Records.

The following Is an extract from the
records OF a political organization that
sprung up quickly and became active in
lS5i-5, termed the Knownothing party.
1t Is record Of Council No. 81 OF Tun-
bridge, so called, which was instituted
Oct. 2, 1854, with l2i members, by r. $.
san born, state department vice president.
The officers Of the council first elected
were. Richard Smith, presidents Hi ;.
Haekett. vice president; Gustayus Ralph,
secretary; Benj Tyler, treasurer; William
{. Smith. instructor; Jude Moulton, mar
shall; Griffin Clark, outside sentinel; Rus
sell Dustin, inside sentinel; Richard
Thompson and Charles Reynolds, inyesti-
eating committee.
TINS council included in its membership
a large majority Of the promiLen business
and professional men and farmers OF the
town, both OF the old line Democratic and
Wing party men, So OF the i24 being per-
sonally known 20 the writer.
The ritualistic work was OF three de-
Rrees-th first, investigation upon recon-
mendation: the two latter are not dis
closed in the records. The utmost secrecy
and careful investigation were observed, as
appears In the record Of ballots for adj
mission.
The council, held April p, '55, consid-
cred a motion TO adopt the principles OF
the American patty as published 10 the
Green Mountain Freeman OF April u lsoo.
II was referred to a committee appointed
and ordered TO report at the next council
On MAY - 1855, the matter was pre-
scented by the committee, and the follow
ing resolution was read
Resolved That while we are acting 10
defend ourselves and our country from the
supremacy OF the papal power. we are also
hostile to slavery or involuntary seryltude,
except for crime in all ITS forms, and that
We viii use all lawful and practicable
means to prevent its further extension and
favor its final extinction.
Resolved, That we regard the passage
OF the fugitive slave law as impolitic and
upcalled- for, and calculated TO create leal-
ousy between the North and south.
The resolutions were accepted and
adopted
Al the council Of March 3, So, the fol-
I lowing IS recorded 1.-THE committee ap-
pointed to nominate citizens for town Of
I Ulcers for the elective offices presented the
I following, to wit-Dr. Charles b. Chand-
/ Ter town clerk; Avis z. Cilley, constablei
I mi : Hackett, George Whitney and A. y.
Austin. selectmen; L. ID. Monkey, VIM. Z.
/ Brown and Lewis Dickerman, listers !
| Francis Sturtevant, overseer OF poor WIN,
/ p. Brown. treasurer The report was
adopted. ATTEST, Gustavns hole' seeIe
I tary.h a..
The last meeting Of the council for the
wear recorded in the book was heid ON
aug. rs. 1855, at which, after the regular
Z routine Of work, il proceeded to nominate
state and town officers and town repre-
7 sentatives TO be voted upon at the com
/ ing Freeman's meeting.
The next meeting Of the council, as re-
I corded. was held April %, 1886. rms pc
I ing an annual meeting, the officers were
I elected, no further business appearing.
] Tho last meeting recorded, and most
Ibkelv fine last held, was on June ID, 1897,
Al which the following resolution was
adopted: 80.
UVoted, not 10 give up the ship, but 70
/ work and regain AN interest