The New York Herald Newspaper, February 13, 1855, Page 2

338 Reported Revelations of the. Councils of Pennsylvanie,, (From the Pennsylvanian (40 ministration organ) Feb. 12, Important—New Know ™, Revelations— ivania—Tne aoa ‘Full History of the Recent tne Councilsof Peay : Amendments Constitution — Dect. sons of the State See oe Mooted Te Late Cou at Pittebarg, i, dic. COPIED YROM THEIR OWN OFFICIAL RECORDS, Qur readers will find below a full history of all the yeoout deliberations of the State Council of the Order of Know N in this State, it being an exact copy of ‘the synopsis sent to the various subordinate lodges for ‘their information and guidance. It will alao be seen, that upon at least two questions, ‘bat of the abolition of the Canal Board and disbanding of the volunteer corps containing citizens of foreign Dirth, the State Council has issu: taeg enc rtd decrees which bave readily been obeyed by the trembling slaves it bae sent to the slature. PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION, Submitted to the State Council at the Session of January 3, 1856 HELD IN THE CITY OF PITTSBURG, AND DIRECTED TO BE DISPOSED OF AS FOLLOWS: Reeolved, That the Secretary of the S.C. be directed to have provided 3) pragoae amendments to the consti- tution, and forward them to the various Subordinate Councils, and that the Subordinate Councils be directed to instruct their delegates how to vote upon them at the next session of the 8. C. PHILADELPHIA—I855. Proposed Amendments to the Constitution. Strike out all after article 11, and insert the following:— ARTICLE UT Sec. 1. The State Council shall be composed of the same Dumber of delegates as there are members of the Senate and House of Representatives of the State, the delegates to be elected from the same localities as the members of the Legislature are now, and io the manner hereafter provided. Provided, That esch county in the State shal} be entitled to at least one delegate. Sec. 2. All delegates to the State Councils, and all wards, townships, muncipal, county, Representative, Senatorial, Congressiona) and State candidates sha!) be determined by the popular vote of the respective dis- tricts, and ian, pene having the highest nacaber of votes shall be declared the candidate of the Order. See, 3. There shall be in each and every county a “* County Council,’ which shall hi vision of the afiairs of the Ord counties, which from each subordinate Counzil, who shall be elected for dhe term of one year. And the Presidents of said Coun- ty Councils shail receive and distribute all communica. ns and documents intended for the Subordinate Coun- ils, institute or cause to be instituted all new councils within their jurisdiction, collect and remit all dues aad fees to the Secretary of the State Counci), and call meet- ings of County Councils when @ majority of the dele- tes thereto require it. The County Councils shall also ve power to determine all difference or disputes aria- img in their respective jurisdictions, subject, however, to ap appeal to the State Council. Seo, 4. The County Councils shall have power under and subject to the constitution and rules of the State Vouncil, to fix the time for holding all elections for Na- tional, State, District, and county offices, and delegates to the State Council. Sec, 5.—The delegates to County Counoile shall be the return Judges for their respective councils, and all returns for national, State, district or county officers and delegates State council, shall be made to the county cou and the Presilent of said County Coun- oil eball m: eturn for the national and State officers and delegates to the State Council. 3 Sec. 6 —When any Congressional, Senatorial, Repre- rentative, judicial ox delegate district shall be composed of two or more counties, it shall be the duty of the Coun- wo appoint conferees, to meet at some con- to ascertain the number of votes given in eport the r= : for by members of the organization for any office, unless the candidates shail present to the body having jurisdiction a certificate of membership from the council of which he is a member, signed by the officers of said council, and also by the can- didate soliciting their votes. ARTICLE 1V. Sec, 1. The State Council shall, in all cases, be the i ns of its own members. It shall ‘also have power to enact its own laws; to try all appeals from the decisions of Subordinate Councils or their offi- cers; to establish such constitution, Jaws, rules and re- Jations, and 10 do such other acts as it may deem to essential to the weliare of the order, and the unifor- amity of the council under its jurisdiction, provided al- ways tbat in making laws for the punishment of of- fencen, it shal) inake nofexpost facto law, and that ita var- yous enactments shall contorm to the constitution of the National Council of the United Stat Juy 8.5 Ts, M., and ant ‘The duty of the several office ha!) be such as the work of this organiza- tien prescribes Sec. 5. The offi at its stated me year. n nia ds Sec. €. The regular sessions of this Council shall be held on the first Tuesday of Marsh aad September, at 10 o'clock A.M. Special meetings shall be called by the President, on the writen request of ten delegates repre- senting two different delegate districts Sec. 7. In case of & vacancy ocsurring in the Wounci}, by death or resignation, a new election be held to tupply such vacancy, provided the Sub nate Councils sball have a least ten days notic election from the proper body. No substitute shall be admitted. "8 of the State Council #hall be elected ing in September of each and every ARTIOUE V. Sec. 1, All officers provided by this constitation (except | the §.’s) shall be elected by ballot. The presiding officer may appoint 8.’s from time to time : provided, however, tbat no one shall be appointed for « longer term than that of the presiding officer elect is Sec, 2. A majority of the votes cast shall be requisite | ‘to an election 10 apy office in the State Council; and all | officers and delegates must be full degree members, | Sec. 3. All officsrs of the Supordin ste Council, as well as the delegates to the State Council, and the County Councils, shall be chosen by bailot anoually, by the members present, at the Grst regular meeting in August, | and the officers sball be elected as soon thereafter as practicable. ARTICLE Vi. Sec. 1. The name of the person ofiered for member- ebip must be proposed in open Council, recorded and referred to a tone anger of beanhe a (always eH cepting the proposer, ) for investigation, who may report fortheith it. eapenieak when the Council shali proceed to ballot or vote; and if five black balls or votes appear against bim, be shall be rejected; if otherwise he shall ‘be declared duly elected, but shall not be initiated until | the next meeting after his election as» member; pro vided the Subordipate Council in the coanty, may elect and initiate, on the same evening, persons within their jurisdiction, residing tbree miles distant from their place of meeting. Sec. 2. A brother, to obtain the second degree of this Order, must have been proved worthy, and been a frst degree. member three weeks, and have applied for it in Open council one week prios to taking it; ail applications must be referred to & committee of three members of the second degree, whe sbail report thereon at the next meeting, and thereupon the second degree council shall proceed to ballot or vote, and if three black balls or Yotes appear against the applicant, he shall be rejected; if otherwise, he shail be declared duly elected. All bro- thers upon taking the second or third degrees shall pay such fees ax may be determined upon by the Suberdinate Council, ‘A per'od of three months shall elapse between the ta hing of the second una third degrees, fec. 3. Any person who may have been rejected, may, after the expiration of tnree months, be again proposed for membership. ARTICLE Vit Sec. 1. Each Subordinate Council shall be required to make to the Secretary of the State Council, on or before the first day of the montas of March and September, return of the number of its members; also, the number of members imitiated in the previous term. ‘Also, the re- jections of candidates for admission. Sec, 2. Subordinate Councils shall make their own by- Jaws, which shall be subject to the approval of the County Councils. Sec. 3, All applications for warrants of dispensation to form new councils must be made in writiug, and signed dy all applicants; not to be less than nine in number; same to be presented to the President of the County Councils, and by him transmitted to the officers of the State Council. Sec. 4. The jurisdietion of « council shall only extend to the township, or ward in which it is sitaated; and bereafter no council shall be instituted in any ward or township in wh council now exists; and the Presi- dent of any cou nitinting persons residing withoat the jurisdiction of the same, shall be expelled by the County Council on proof thereof, ARTICLE Vint. See. 1. Any member knowingly violating any portion of his obligation of this Constitution, shall be expelled, end mffer euch other Foe hnent as may be determined upon by the council of which he ia a member. Bee. 2 No brother shall be convared expelled by 2 Subordinate Council, uniess a majority of all persons present, entitled to vote, shall vote in the affirmative suspende! or | ‘See. 3. Whenever # new council may be organized in | eny city, town, townsbip, ward or allotted ¢ bali be incumbent on any member of any iding within the boundary of said pew council, mmediate applic for ® certificate of dis from his old coun: Ger penalty of exp omission #0 to do. certificate, the said applicant And upon the presentation of such ball be admitted to mem ‘of the National Council, the expenses of the State Counell; the nua! i members to be determined the return made to the of the State Council, previous to the Septem ber ression of the State Couneil, hall take effect immediately. may alter or amend this by a two-thirds vote of the at least one-half of the dele gates sbail be prevent. NEW YORK HERAD, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1855. ‘as the such ‘the And shotice for Stoctorsy or uot osaaaee sbails slice 3. Order shall bold its fret meeting The Senate of the ay od f of president and secretary, and such ‘Senate shall determine,’ The ssid Senate shall have Deer fe ceavene o$ sash ts, manger sat placed, and such notice rmine. Merit shall be the d rofhe Senate to submit, through their Senators, to the me ne the Hoc e sone Te- spective senatorial districts, names h, persons, pede ip the @rder, who may desire to be sie a tee enna o noe may be requi yy the coi ion and law: commonwealth, to be filled by election by the eople; and the said councils shall hold an election for # candidate for each such State office, at which the brethren thereof shall vote for ‘one ot {the persons whose’ name has been submitted; and each council shall, by the Senator or Sen- ators of the respective district, makes return of such vote to the Senate of the Order, who, having ascertained by such returns, the two persons for each office having the greatest number of votes, shall be again submitted to thefcouncils, and the candidate receiving the test number of votes throughout the Commonwealth, shall be declared the candidate of the Order, to be voted for at the proper general election And the Senate shall, in such manner as it may judge to be most expedient, give notice thereof to the brethren throughout the Common- wealth, 5. The name of a person, not ® member of the Order and in good standing, shall not be submitted to be voted for as a candidate; and the names of all candidates sub- mitted must be accompanied ee their residence, and the number of the council to which they belong. 6. It shall be the duty of the Senate of the Order, frem time to time, to give to the respective Councils of the Order, information on such subjects or events as may be conducive to the al welfare, or tend to sup: port the constitutional laws of the country. We pro) the following as an amendment of Sec. 1, Articl f the Constitution of the State Council of ‘The 2 Counci) shall be com; i of ove delegate from each Subordinate Council, duly elected at some re- gular meeting held at leart thirty days before the meet- ing of the State Council, and duly certified; Provided, That any two or more councils may unite in sending the same delegate, who shall, when a vote is taken by count, or by yeas and be previously called for, have a vote fer each council he represents Resolved, That hereafter no joint committee from the different Subordinate Councils of any district shall be ap- pointed without the consent of the County Councils, Resolved, That until after the election of the County Councils, a provided in the constitution, the executive committee of the diflerent counties shall continue to act and perform the duties and have all the powers of said councils. Resolved, That each executive committee shall imme- diately report. to the Secretary of the State Council the Dame and address of their chairman. Orvice OF THES. C., OF Pewna. PumaDA., Jan. 12, 1855. RESOLUTIONS AND DECISIONS OF THE STATE COUNCIL. ADOPTED AT THE SESSION HELD of Philadelphia, Oct. 3, 1854. AND In the city of Pittsburg, Jan, 3,1855. Published in compliance with the following Resolved, That resolutions: and decisions of this S. C,, affecting the interest and action of the Subordinate Councils, be printed in pamphlet form and sentto each Subordinate Council by the Secretary. RESOLTTIONS AND DECISIONS. Resolyed, That when deemed necessary, the President of each Subordinate Council is hereby anthorized to in- stitute an additional pase word, to be used by the mem- vership of his particular council, and also, when deemed necessary, to suspend entirely the visiting of brothers from other councils. Resolved, That all councils now established or here- after instituted under the jurisdiction of this State Coun- cil, are reqnired to send ‘a list of their delegates, and number of their members, to the sacceiary of this Btate Council, attested by their president and secretary, at least four weeks previous to ite quarterly session; Pro- vided, such council shall bave been instituted such length of time before said quarterly sevsion, and in such case the council shall report oon as instituted; and, further, it shall be the duty of the Secretary of the State Council to communicate to the President 0: Subordi- nate Council, immediately after he shall have received their report of the place of meeting of the State Coun il, and the password, whereby the delegates are to work their way into said council. The following is the form for return of delegates to the Secratary of State Council:— No, Counci) Name of place and date. Ward or township. No. members. County: This is to certify, that at a stated meeting of thie Council, the fallowing brothers were elected delegates to the State council Preeident for 1 year. Py order of the Counei). Attest, Secretary. Resolved, It shall be the duty of the Secretary of the Subordinate Councils to report to the Secretary of the State Council the name anftresiignse of the officers and delegates thereof, immediately.aiter an elestion therefor; also the term for which said officers aud delegates were elected; and no delegate,shal] be admitted to the sess‘ons of the State Council whose name and residen:e has not been previously reported to the secretary of State Coun- cil and entered upon the roll, President. Ocronxn 3, 1854. And that hereafter, before any delegate be admitted to a seat in the Sta-e Council he shall produce a written cer- tificate of his election, and the Secretary of the state Council is hereby directed to procure @ seal, which he shall impress on all such certificates to be used by the members, as they apply for admission to the State Coun- cil during its sittings, JANUARY 3, 1855. Resolved, Thet hereafter no nominee of a political, par- ty shall be eligible to membership in this Order. Resolved, 1 President of the 3. C. have autho- rity to grant dixpensations to initiate upon appli- cation being vy @ vote of any counsil, provi- ding three-fourths of the members present, if such coua- cil ote for said apprication, and in the judgment of the presidentit will not interfere with the good work and prosperity of the order. Resolved, That the delegates to the S.C. be artho- riced to act as ao executive committee in their respec- tive counties, to transact the bueiness of the same; and when two or more counties are united in one Representa- tive or Congressionai distaict, to elect three of their number to act jointly as an executive committee in said district. Resolved, That the State Council proyibit the publica- tion of any matter other than that absolutely necessary for the convenience of councils. Jaxvary 3, 1855, The followirg questions were propounded, and the subjoined decisions made thereon:— Qurstiox—Must all who were received under the old worbings, have the new obligation administered to them ? Drcision—No. Question—lIs it not sufficient where members have had the old obligation administered to them, and who sub scribe to the constitution, and are willing to live up to the requirements of the new ritual, without having to take another obbgation / Drcisi0n—Only for the first degree. Qurstion—Are we privileged to electioneer for our | ticket om election day ? cIsION—Yes; but not as an acknowledged Know Nothing ticket. Quesnox—Can we give tickets to men in whom we have confidence, who pledge to us their honor to vote them, without looking at them ? aon—Yes. Qursrion—Are the members of a council, having had no voice in the nomination of the State ticket, bound to vote for the nominees of this Order now made? Decisiox—That every member of th State, is bound to vote for the State ti ‘Quistion.—Have a number of deleg: sional district, aright to make a nomination which will be binding on the whole Order, without all the councils of said district being represen'ed in said convention; or at least having due notice thereof ? Dneision.—No. Qvxstioy,—The ritual declares that no person can com- municate the name of the Order except the President. Now, in the absence of the President, does the right to communicate rest with the Vice-President in commoa with the other powers of the President. In other words, can the Vice-President conduct second degree initia. tione ? Drersion.— Yi Qursriox —1 Senatorial district composed of two counties, where there are two candidates, ove a member and the other not, and no action is taken by the Order, are the members pound to vote for the candidate bel ing to the Grder Drcision.-gYes. Qurstion.—Can a member of this Order admit wheo asked whether he is a member of this avsociation ’ Dreisiox.—No, not to outsiders. Question. Were the resolutions transmitted to the Su dordinate Councils, compelling them to expel all members who neglect or refuse to support the State ticket, as set- tied, intended only for the approaching campaign; aot # it understood that those who from conscientious scruples decline giving their support ta the entire ticket, can be retained as members. provided their reagone be deemed sufficient by the council of which they are mem- bers? Drersion.—It wax intended for all future elections; if a member cannot conscientiously vote for the nominee of the Order, his only alternative is to withdraw from the Order Question.—Are the members of @ council bound to support a candidate nominated by a convention of dele gates fo which said council ie not represented, and of which it had no notice? Question. 1p & member of this Order, io a district where the Order have formed a ticket, electioneer for Persons not om the ticket of the Order. No. Does the action of this State Council, in re- meering # ticket other than the council tick. of thie organization ix table to 8 for complying with the request of s friend or bor in handing him # whig or s demecratio ticket ’ Dremiox,— Yes, {' done with intention of increas- ing the vote ef the whig or democratic parties. QUESTION.—In the country, it is often difficult to get persons who bave been elécted to the council room, i ry any proper time and place’ Decist0n.—If the persons bave been elected to mem- 1. There shall be constituted for the State a’ large, a | bershipin the order, it would. Body to be called ‘The Senate of the Order,’’ to consist QureTi0x.—Can the President of a eub council refuse oa three members. the pareword to a member of his council of owe fide. 2. Senators of the Order shall be elected by the | lity to the order he bae » doubt’ of the Order in the meee Senatorial dis. Tmcisi0m.—That ie to be left to the discretion of the Of the Commonwealth, on the first Monday of Ped- | council iteeif. weary in each year, in ruch manner oa the councils of Qcrerion—in case s person having been in the La rejected guoh renpectiye dietrigte shail prescribe, and each Senq- | council of his own dirivict, is nrtinted into the orcer in rents, who are tem to becomes member of Decistox— Yes. QuxsTion.—If a Council has been instituted by the per tolidation at Colum! and ry fees required, are to rent ‘nis Counell $5 for a charter? —No. .—Are second degree members of the old er- ganization eligible at once to the secomd degree, as con- solidated on c lath of July, at Columbia? —Yer ESTION.— Have the officers or members of one coun- ei) the right to decide upon the Jegality of any member of anotber council? Decision.—No. Qurstion.—Cap @ council which has not paid the fee of $6 due the 8. C., receive a charter? Decision.—No. QuEsTion,—When an illegal council is established in ny county, is it not the duty of the delegates in said county, who are alone empowered to organize councils pn said county, to proceed forthwith and establish legal council in said’ county, that may elect legal officers, and Jega) delegates? S10N.— Yea, Question—Has a delegate from one county the right to organize a new council in another county, where there is @ regularly organized committee for that par- Be Drcision—No. QuzsTion—If the or persons who announce to the various councils of the county or district organiza- tion, the names of those members who are candidares before it for nomination to omit the name of any brother who is a candidate, the nomination for the office for ich he is @ candidate, under such cir- fac wt be legal or binding on the members of the Drcision—It would not release them from obligation to vote for the nominee. Qussnon—Have Presidents of Subordinate Councils the authority to institute subordinate councils? Decrsion—No. QureTion—Hae a temporary President the right to confer the second degree in the absence of the President and Vice President? Drcision—Yes. QuxsrioN—Ie it proper for a counci) to initiate a 80D as @ member who resides in another State, where there is an organization? Decisi0n—No. QussTion—Has any Subordinate Council the right to confer the second degree on any new member, by reso- lution, ip @ shorter tie than prescribed by the consti- tution? If a Subordinate Council should do #0, would it ‘be binding on the members if such person should be a candidate for office? Decision—It would be s violation of the constitution ? The following is the form of an application for a war- rant of dispensation:— APPLICATION FOR A WARRANT OF DISPENSATION. To the S. C., of Pennsylvania :— We, the undersigned, members of the 24°, being de- sirous of extending the usefulness and influence of our organization, do ered ask for a Warrant of Dispensa- Yon, to institute and organize us as a Subordinate Branch of the Order to be known and hailed A. C, No. — To be located in State of County, And we do hereby Othe ourselves to be governed by the rules and usages order. Dated Names Residences To be signed by nine 2d o members. ‘Adopted, Oct. 4, 1854. Rerolved, That the part of Subordinate Councils be hereafter referred to the officers of the State Council for approval. Aesolved, That our Senators and Representatives in the State Legislature be requested to introduce a bill, and urge the passage of the same, for the purpose of pre- ‘venting the organization of military companies compoaod of foreigners, and also disbanding all such companies as are already organized and compelling them to surrender the arme in their possession to the State authorities, and that the Secretary be directed to inform the members of the Legislature, who are members of this Order, of the passage of this resolution. Resolved, That the members of the Legislature, who are members of this Order, be and they are hereby re- quested to use their influence in favor of such a change ip our present laws as will abolish the soard of Canal Commissioners as now established. Resolved, That no person be presented for the votes of the members of this x, unless there be a positive cer- tificate of his membership, signed by the President and Secretary of the Council of which he is a member, and also his signature appended. The foliowing questions were propounded, and the subjoined decisions made thereon. First.—Have the Subordinate Councils of the city of Philadelphia the right to appoint joint committees from their councils for any purposé wnich may require the jcint action of saidcouncils. Decision.—That all Subordinate Councils have the right to appoint joint or separate committees for any purpose whatever, provided, their action do not conflict with the function’ of the Executive Committee, which bas exclusive contro) over al: matters appertaining to elections. Sxcoxp.—If it be found inconvenient to bold a council always at the same place in a township, would it bea violation of its charter to remove it from place to place jn the same township, at the will of the council ? Drcisiox.—No, Turp.—Can the Subordinate Councils have the consti- tution and by-laws printed and bound in a book, and give a copy toeach member of the council, if not both, can the by-laws be distributed among its members ? Paeision.—No. But any member in good standing, when in council, may bave access to the constitution, ritual and by-laws for information. $ Fourtn.—Is it advisable for thie Council to take auy action, #0 as to effect a fusion of this Order with another somewhat similar order, called by the name ‘ Shamgbai.’’ Drcision.—Yes, if their principles and objects are similar to those of this Order. Firin.—Is it proper and const'tutional to nominate for any office, by Delegate Convention, in any ward or dis- trict where an election is to be held? Drcisios.—No. All nominations are uired to be made by the pupular vote of Councils in sueh district. Sixts.—In the last election, where no nominations were made by the Order, and two persons were running for the same office, one @ member of the Order and the other not, had brothers of the Order right to elect'on- eer against such brother; and in case they did and had not the right, what now is the duty of the subordinate Council to which euch brothers ? _ Decision.—Such action is a violation of the obliga- tion. SrvenTH.—Can any subordinate Council in the city of Philadelphia, through its officers, or by its own action, initiate @ person into this Order the same day or night he was proposed ? Decision —No, Honn.—If member of » subordinate Council shall throw bis vote for any other than the nea | of the majority of such Council, should be be expelled, and if #0, by what majority, and for violation of what law or obligation ? Decision —He should be expelled as having violated bis ho ial the majority controls the action of all councils, Nuytu.—Does the obligations of the Order compel a member of the Legislature to vote for members of the Order in preference to those who are not, and in the event of such member voting for a person not a member of the Order where there is 4 candidate a member of the Order, would it be a good ground for his expulsion by ‘the subordinate council? Drcision.—Yes. Because to do so would be a violation of his obligation Textu.—In the resolution explanatory of the ritual eo in connection with the constitution, what body is referred to as having jurisdiction of the ticket? Drcision.—The Executive or County Committee of the district, ELEVENTH. —I# a person who may have been initiated in another State, and who has not applied fora discharge from the council in which he was iattiated, to the one located in his own ward, township or district in his own State, within the time prescribed by the constitution of our &. C., eligible to membership, it he presents his card aiter that time has expired’ Decision —No. ‘Twerirt.-~When a resident within the jurisdiction of & subordinate council asks membership by virtue of ini- iene v4 andther State, who has the power to determ ine ie right Decision.—The council of which he asks to become a member, or the county or city executive committee on appeal. (HIRTERNTH.—Can & ballot, in regard to the admission of a member to this order, be reconsidered or again acted op until after the lapse of the time pressribed by the constitut'on’ Decision —No. Fovrrresti —If a subordinate council expels a mem ber for an act of insubordination, ie said council bound we circulate the name of said member throughout the rater Decision, —Yes. Firrxeyte —If a member of a subordinate council should be elected a delegate to the State Council, and, at i ogee mony gap should be called by business to de a part of the time ata distance irom his counetl, he still act as delogate, provided he still retains his connection with the council by which he was elected? Decsion—If he bas not lost his residence in the elec- tion d strict where his council is located, he would be entitled to his seat. You are hereby notified, by direction of the President of the National Council, that C. K. Garrisou, H. H. Doty, H.&. Gates, JobnG, Hunter, Jacob B. Moore, William MM. Johnson, and J. H. Parkitt, "have been rejected by the Councils of San Francisco, Californi: \d you are par- ticularly requested to be on yonr guard, in cate they are propored im your Council, not to initiate them. Extraot from the minutes, Attested—T. L. GIFFORD, § oretary. Bust of Washington, and | “ Strictly Confidential, "’ eagle perched upon’ the New York, Jan. 1865. coils of a serpent, the ser. pent resting upon the vel, } To our Brethren in all of Constitution, an um-|the States and Territo- known band supporting| ries of our common stripes. j 4 rillingly interestixg publication is about to appear in New York, which we earnestly and cordially a aes to Seen attention, iB our jucgment no work haa been published America so well calculated to illuminate the pop miné. or ii *0 and It is ent * pe wie Wii nly. heoring 354 poeualaly Sette romasee, but it giver what we believe to. be A jalthfoy our beloved country, but it should ge into for our mothers, our wives, our and our dai that they may guard against subtle influences which have ted 20 man and broken so man: to our brethren, because we frel American an work, in and ‘attention to a publication sence Pe poesia! in arousing the jealous vigilance JAMES W. BARKER, New York. 24008 BROOM, Pentieyivania, ‘A. B. ELY, Massachusetia, Ne i. 8) setts. HENRY V. LOVELL, New York. Ihave read most of this work, aud cordially concur in recommending it to the attention of Americans. BALDWIN, New York. T also agree with the above. FREDERICK M. BUTLER, New York. AN OPEN NATIONAL AMERICAN CONVENTION—ITS OB- JECTS. ‘Ist. To establish and adopt a national platform of American ib a pad Me a nomination, before the country, {he ‘american party and is principe ta the Peciden an inci siden- tial canvass at 1688, That the secret orders have exerted powerful influ- ences in the development of our principles, and created more healthy and natural tone ef public sentiment, and so accelerated the p of our glorious Ameri- can cause, cannot be d Butare not these admis- mons subject to q) ications which counterbalance, to some extent, the results achieved? Was it the ori- = design of the secret orders—was it, if you please, original intention of the honest, unsophisticated members of these orders, to usurp literally the franchises of the steadfe open American party—dictate nomina- tions inside and force the old guard outside Americans to dy nominations #0 made, or lose their votes? Was it the original intention of the honest mass of the orders, to compel the open American organization of eleven years’ standing, to support the nominees of the whig and democratic parties, at the sacrifice of our Ame- rican principles and ty? Was it intended, originally, vast majorities, in the dark, for old party no- minees, in conformity to ‘the edict of the order? Was it the cxigiaal purpose of the earnest and patrio- tic members of our time-honored, open ization, who had been attracted to the secret order, to see substituted for the fair, old fashioned, open repub- lican mode of nominations, the “boosting up” and “backing down”’ system of tactics, practised and coun- tenanced by the self-constituted leaders of the orders as instanced at the last congressional election in the First ane p pontine be stated th though on may be 5 us—altbough not so Pod acy toe ny hitherto as iad bh for eleven consecutive years, there has been, as is the case at present, the same one single political issue before the country, an American vg iy ae a foreign party. In a word, should not American party in tuture fling its own proud banners fearlessly to the , and be ory Aa anc openly make its own nominations for every office? Are not the diversified orders heterogeneous and con- flicting in action, and, in the absence of harmony and purpore, entirely incepacitated to make and conduct to» successful issue approaching national American nominations? Grant, politically, that an apparent ne- cessity existed for ‘ underground railroads’’ and ‘‘ bush fights,” will American freemen, when the necessity for secresy has passed away, from the spread of our prin- ples, and from American triumphs, bow down and bend the knee to the arbitrary receipts of secret orders? hall we hold an American State Convention at Harris- burg, and élect delegates to a National American Con- vention—shall we or not? Americans of the ‘Old Guard,” you must decide for yourselves. The members of the present Ameri:an State Executive Committee are respectfully invited to correspond, directly, with the Chairman, upon the subject oc this communication. P. SKEN , Chairman Am. State Ex’ve Com. A LETTER FROM THE BRIGADIER GENERAL OF THE SECOND (IRISH) BRIGADE OF PENNSYLVANIA. Brigadier General John Tyler, Jr., having been remov- ed from his command of the Second Brigade, by order of Governor Pollock, that officer publishes the following ps ~ those under hig aetnehil ving been by you with a majority of your votes pafied on the occasion of the recent election of Brigadier General, it becomes proper for me to say that the legality of Governor Pollock’s action in the premises is now Lae § questioned, and s' are about to be taken to its validity. ty and honor, as well as the rights and interests ef the Second srigade, under the law, shall be protected and defended as m: Governor of Pennsylvania is Sanity boun 4 of the Commonwealth with the lowliest nd if the view now entertained by me as to bis ion be correct, he shall be ent this truth. I JOHN TYLER, J! have the honor to be Re, Brigadier General Elect, Second Brigade. American organ- Court of General Sessions. Before Hon. Judge Stuart. THE CASE OF JOHN B. HOLMES. Fre. 12.—In the case of John B. Holmes, indicted for the homicide of the policeman Gourlay, Mr. Jonas B. Phillips moved for postponement of the trial, on the ground that the defendant was assaulted and beaten so severely with a slung s'ot, on Friday night last, that he ‘was confined to his bed and unable to attend in court. Mr. Phillips read affidavits to prove that his statements were true; and the District Attorney, believing that the application for a postponement was made in good faith, consented that the case should be fixed for the third Wednesday of the term. THE VITRIOL MAN. In the case of Theodore Gray, known generally as the “vitriol man,” the bail were discharged, the District Attorney being satisfied, after close inquiry, that the prisoner was insane, GRAND LARCENY. Jobn Little and Edward Finley were indicted for stealing a sewing machine of the value of fifty dollars, from Jobn W. Martin, No. 160 Chatham square, on the 26th of Japuary last. The prison- ers were detected and arrested by officers Pollard and Jordan while trying to sell the machine in a secondhand clothing store in Orange street. Being unable to account for their possession of the stolen article, the prisoners oH guilty by presumption of law. Verdict accordingly. itenved each to three years and three months in the State prison. MANSLAUGHTER, Dennis Carrig was indicted for the homicide of Hugh Hagan, an em: it runner, on the 12th day of Decem- ber last. The first witness produced by the prosecution was Thomas O’Keefe, emigrant runner and boarding house keeper. He depossed that on the evening in ques- tion—a rather dark one—he was with deceased at the foot of Chambers street, where he Jeft him for a short time. On returning he found prisoner and deceased using violent language towards each other; the latter challenged prisoner to fight; deceased then tried to kick prisoner, who thereupon turned toa cart a few feet dis- tant, and seizing a cart-rung, struck prisoner over the head with it. Prisoner ran away after he gave the blot Joseph B. Cornell was working at the time of the oc tae ate ey ES Shermigy street; nee bt run- ning, and people following him crying ‘Stop him,’ he seized him and assisted to bring Elen to the station house. Richard Watcbern, emigraut boarding house keeper, saw deceased on the dock on the evening of the 12th of December last, looking after emigrants. He heard people call out that fan wee killed, w which he went up to deceased and found him Bleeding in the head. Rernard Hagan testified that his brother, gs deceased, ) died on Saturday, the 16th of December, . Derby, house surgeon of the New York Hospital, proved that deceased was brought into the hospital in sensible from a compound fracture, which extended from the top to the base of the skull, and from which he died on Saturday, the 16th of December, Numerous witnesses were examined by Mr. H. L. Clin- ton ‘or the defence. Ellen Finucane, sister of the prison- er, arrived in New York at the foot of Chambers street, from Ireland, on the evening of the 12th of December. Her brother met ber there, and took her baggage to a cart hired for the purpose. ' During his absence, deceas. ed came up and attempted to take away some ot the lug- gage, which witness resisted, calling out that the mao ‘was attempting to rob her. Prisoner returned and inter- fered, telling deceased tbat this baggage was all rizhty and to leave it alone, Upon this deceased besame abu- sive, eaying, “What authority have you to tell me to away, you son of a b—h’”’ and follow! ‘iwone! cart, with exclamations of ‘You G—d fellow, id other choice expressions, Prisoner only answered, “If yon don’t go away, I'll get an M. P. to arrest you.’ is baprened revious to the blows being given. Jobn oCarth » who woe also at the foot of Chambers street that evening, to receive the witness on her arrival from Ireland, de substantially the same. In acdition, he said that when deceased kicked prisoner, the latter was standing close to the cart; that he then turn. ed round and seized a stick, and struck deceased with it almost instantly Ji Nai Pp to prove the previous good and eadle character of After the counsel ted vemmed up and the alt an hour returned with a verdict of guilty of man- slaughter in the fourth degree. Sentence reserved, The court then adjourned. 4 Fine ix Warrone, N. H—A_ corressondent of the hep rag: Bonga cal that (og ang vad el on the ni whieh ca rere ea, by Frere pho occu severe! ells a foodr sed Biward Grouly, druggist; (0, Miller’ Sen eee oo) the back part of one of stores as a shoe shop) ; a dwelling house in which Thomas Ball resided ¢ all saved from part of Mr, Ballet ws East bas been . ment of the railroad blockade to which we have been sul loss tothe rauroad companies centering in our city has been serious. If reckoned by time alone, it would amount to aboutfour per cent upon the entire business of the year; but as the obstructions have oc- curred at a season w! is usunily less active,the estimate may prove a little too high, as we trust it will. But the loss sustained by the cempanies, in damages to locomotives and cars, add very considerably to their ry loss, Some of the cars, as we have already have been cut up bodily for firewood to keep the passengers from freezing, frequent collisions with snow banka have rendered repairs to many others ne- cessary. to the locomotives will be much is hardly one upon the block- aded roads in the State that will not require to be taken into the machine shop fcr irs toe ter or less extent. The chief injury has resulted from the Treezing water in their by which valves were bursted, and other f Expos- ure to the weather alone will be no slight damage to y number must be still buried in snow Danks ie vi roade in the State. We seven, a day or two since, in thi predica- mm the Chicago branch of the Central alone. They will, of course, be badly rusted when they come out, if they should not be otherwise injured. ‘To these losses must be added the cost to which the companies have been subjected by the employment of » large num- ber of men to clear the tracks, amounting to hundreds mm some instances upon a single road,and who have often ‘deen engaged for several days together, it having been necessary to do the work over and over again. We shall not rtake to make an estimate of all these aggre- gate losses to our companies. The facts above stated will enable our readers to make an approximste estimate for themselves. In this connection it is proper to speak of the em ployes upon the roads, who, if they beve not sutiered molest to any great extent, have hazarded their alt, and even their lives in the heroic discharge of duty. Day and night they have been found at their pen raving the fury of the fiercest storms: many ave had their havds and feet frozen, and thereby been temporarily disabled, and all have had their powers of endurance pretty thoroughly tested. It now comes in order to speak of the injury which the business of our city has suffered by these protracted railroad obstructions. As compared with former activi- ty, business has come almost toa stand-still. Mersbante and bankers alike com of the difficulty. of obtain- country, with which to meet their engagements and accommodate their customers. A dearth of currency in the usual channels, of cow Jeads to stagnation in all departments of business and dustry. But even money cannot be used to srrneage while this state of things continues. We are credibly informed that a large number of packages of money now lie idle in the express offices hers, transmitted to our commission merchants for the purchase of produce on eastern account, but which they refuse to take out while the present obstacles in the way of purchase and sbip- ment remain. But little produce can reach us from any quarter, and the chances for forwarding eastward are too uncertain to be relied upon with any confidence. A d of ours is now in this city from New York, commissioned to buy 4,000 hogs, either dressed or alive, for that market; but for the present he can do Be. This transaction alone would distribute some $40, through the community. The movements of scores, if pot bundreds of others, are no doubt similarly restrained by the continuance of the embargo. When we shall be relieved from these embarrassments still remains a pro- diem, We learn that the snow upon the prairies yester- day was dri:ting aa freely as ever, and last night a fresh instalment of sow was falling, apparently the com- mencement of a storm. There is one consolation in the midst of our trouble, which is, that winters as severe as the present do not often visit us, and in ordinary seasons our railroads will not be obstructed by snow. In 1830 we had what wae called ‘the deep snow,” causing, when it melted, an extraord: flood in the Illinois, the marks of whi were visible up on the trees for years afterwards. In 1845 we had » winter very similar to the present, which continued so far into the spring that thousands of cattle died from starvation in Northern hnois, Wiscon- sin and Indiana. The next severe winter was that of 1849, which will be fresh in the remembrance of many of our citizens. During that winter, however, the snow was so intermingled with rain that there would bave been no difficulty in keeping # railroad track clear, had any at the time existed here. It a little rain had fallen during the present series of snow storms, sufficient to give the snow a crust upon the surface, but compara- tively little difficulty would have been experienced in the running of trains. All things considered, the present winter is unexampled in the history of this region for the last twenty years, and we trust it will not be paralleled for bee 6 ears to come. Hereafter the railroad com- panies will much better prepared to meet a similar energency by having on ent gaew plows of the moet efficient construction, and all other possible appliances for keeping the tracks free from obstructions. ANOTHBR LETTER FROM THE SNOW DRIFTS—BURN- IN@ OF THE PASSENGER HOUSE AT EARLVILLE, [Correspondence of the Chicago prem EARLviLue, Jan. 26, 1856. Our train is again stuck im the treacherous drift, and the question of the most absorbing interest is—when shall we get through to Springfield ? Public opinion is that this willoccur some time in the course of the winter. Our aa opinion is that this event will take place some- time after we have a thaw, as the chances are against its ing otherwise. On the whole, any opinion on the rub- {fot In about as uncertain as the verdict of petit. jury fore a Pennsylvania backwoods’ justice. Yesterday we reached this point, and in the evening returned to Chicago, when we availed ourself of the hos: pitalities of the teson House ; but this evening we can neither advance nor return, Let us figure up our position and res, Three engines stuck in the drift, the hind oné partly off the track, with supply of water exhausted ; the snow has been drifting in the track behind us, so that backing up the train is out of the question—some three hundred passengers—the ac- cumulations of all the trains since Monday. This state of things, as the bankers say, may be reck- ened as our liabilities, Now for our :esoarces: We have the cars to sleep in, which is rome consola- . Fortunately at this station there is quite a smart little village of six months’ growth, numbering some 300 population, all told. wind is howling and playing with the snow at a fearful rate, which gives one & low state of feeling about the heart. mm our patriotism sweila up, and we thiak of our vacant seat in the council: the State, but vain are all our repinings; stern nature in wayward mood holds us in bonds and we are compelled to submit to the tether, yet we are free to admit with no good —. Fripay MORNING, Jan. 26, At 2 o’clock this morning we were aroused by the cry of fire. Upon examination we found it to proceed from the p Aemarpo wooden structure, costing some $2,000, which was consumed, driving out some fifty in mates, many of whom were females who had taken shelter for the night. The fire originated from o heating the pipe in the upper part of the building. Six of our party chartered a wagon to carry them into Mendota. Immense drifts have accumulated ducing the night, making it entirely out of the question to move the train either ha, B. F. Johnson, Dr. Kennicott, Mr. Patton, of the House, Mr. Gilloway, (Engincer,) T. A. Stewart and myself, form the party to in wagon, Our feelings were considerably excited in regard to a new mai couple, who had been on board the care since Monday morning. bebind last eveni obliged to take up car seat. This morning we found the express messenger, Mr. Stannard, sitting on his safe, watching some supposed or real treasure, with a serenity becoming his responsi- ble position. ; The ee Bisend was a little ia procurin, gings, and was quarters forthe fourth sight [n'a Fret Bridge Across the Mississipp! River. rom the St. Paul (Minnesota) Pioneer, Jan. 25.) It was # great day for Minnesota, and « signal and im pressive mark of the rpirit of progress which actuates her people, when on the 23d of January, in the good year 1859, the citizens of Saint Anthony aud Minneapolis, in company with those of St. Paul and other places, inau- gurated the completion of a bond by which the Father of Waters is, for the Srst time since ite waters rolled from its source, in Itascs Lake, to the mighty Atlantic, spanned by as beautiful a structure as any that bas been made in the United States, with all the aids that abundant capital could render. Since the days when Hernando de Soto first beheld ite turbid waters in the = South, and Nicollet looked upon the Falls of Saint nthony far'in the Northwest, there has been no event #0 wingw! haracter, or so characteristic of an onward and pi pirit as that which was henored on Tuer day last; and the brightest feature which belongs t it is the result of individual enverprise, and penditure of 10¢al caj No surer evidence id progress of our Territory this which a portion of its citizens bh Saint Anthony and Minneapolis have reason greatly to be proud ef what has been accomplished, and the elegant ed structure which spans the “Father of 'Waters"” will ever remain a monument of the liberality, forecast and enter- prine of their citizens. Porsoxep Turkeys.—A day or two as the train from New York, via Norwich aud the Central Rail- toad, was in the vicinity of Blackstone, the two crates of Adams & Co.’s Express were, in consequence of the unusual shall be no servile labor or working on that day, ¢xcept- ” ing ale of any ware, and etee sae aeewtcciog my per it is said, are usually ews Stier 1a o'clock.” The > printing 7, involve a bresch pat an torney’s office, ies of ‘ servile labor,”’ the, formance of Wich on Su tay is unlawful and ne bargain, consequently, fer extra compensation for suc! pervidiy’' cout not be enforced by the clerk. Ahd how & mere question of labor—can we distiuguish carrying of a newspaper, from the of 8 law pa, Both ly are labor, and, in’ the sense of statute, both are servile labor. A magistrate, it- woul seem, on one occasion fined a peraon for ‘ Sever fF memorial to the Legislature” on a Sunday, and the prewe Court in effect ratified his act, (21 1, 562.) Ant where # purchaser of a house in Connecticut, complain. ed that he had been cheated in his bargain, the Cou said it was a sufficient answer to his claim that the la of that State ited ‘¢ all secular bueiness om Sun. days.” (14 Wend, 248.) A riots moreover, is clearly an article of mer chandise. Admitting, then, that the crying andcarry ing of a newspaper about the streets were a mere pas time, and not a ‘work or labor,”’ its sale, notwithstand, ing, in that manner, would be an unlawful violation 2} the prohibition which declares that ‘no person (wit! exceptions above referred to) shall expose to salifan; hae wares, fruit, herbs, goods or shattles, or unday. It is this exposure to sale and consequent disturbance of the quiet of the day, and not the eale itself, which ir this State constitutes the illegality of the transaction, And it was fecn cay, held in the case of Boynton and Page (13 Wend 425) that a transfer of personal pro |e in this State, if made privately, altho: ont ‘unday, was valid and passed a good title, notwithstand ing the prohibition. In this, our tion, as will be seen, differs from, snd is les: id ‘that of our sis ter State, Whether in a us point of view the distinction between selling on (’ grag exposing fo sale ona Sunday be a sound dne, it is not nor os f lone toinguire. The business of judi a expound and apply, and not to make laws, prohibition of merchandising, as it wae call of'King Althelstan, ‘in the time of Humy ihe Sith © of Kin, elstan. In the time e By fae crtaarh HAs enacted, maul be, held om te y, except du: harvest, on pain of forfei gouls exposed to nsle. Ant Ih the Felgn of Chari tite Be cond—a monarch pot particularly dhstioguished for re Jigions austerity—the prohibition was extended to “al worldly labor,’’ and all ‘exposing of goods to vale,” ex cept meat milk. Bakers—rather # strange aesocia tion, according to our present ideas—were iter subsequently—and in this we see the constitutional ten dency of some of our ancesters—to dress on Sunday as a work of necessity. But, although the pores of food for the body was thus excepted, no simi r exemption was extended to the preparation of foo for the mind. Indeed, in any view of as i tion, it would be difficult to contend that the reading o| advertisements in a Sunday newspaper, or aiding s per son to do so, is a work of either necessity or eharity The mind certainly on that day requires no sueb ens tenance. Andeven as a mere matter of taste, it mus be aamitted that common business advertisements c| buying and selling are “feast of reason.”’ Six days, at all events, of such die| are enough. Thought perpetually running in one nel, like matrimony in one family, dwarfs the intellect It is rather, therefore, a work of charity in such case] to withhold than to give. Abstinence, not #1 is what is needed. It is a strange mode, it will be snid, to ru rei gion by sheltering bad faith, Laws ‘involving publ’ licy can seldom be made effectual ia sap other wo e gaming law, the usury law, the exmuggli other enactments of like Character, 4 fawalia iMustrations of the principle that he who sets the las| at defiance can claim.no assistance from the law. Tb} Jaw in such cases generally frowns on both an aids neither, unless it be to wrong the other, My conclusion, then, is that the contract made by thy plaintiffs to publish the defendant’s advertisement in | Sunday paper, was a contract to do an act ‘ited b the statute, and that the price therefore «' ted to oad for the service, whatever may be the moral ion, cannot he recovered in any court of this Stat Judgment for the defend, Decision in Admiralty. UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT. Before Hon. Judge Ingersoll. THE CAMDEN AND AMBOY RAILROAD COMPANY THE SLOOP THOMAS WALLACE. Fes. 12—Daniel Curry and others vs. the John Neilson.—These were cross suits, brought by t! respective owners of the steamboat Jobn Neilson the sloop Thomas Wallace, to recover damages ed to these vessels by a collision between them, whit bappened at 10 A.M. on the 2éth of October, 1464, the Battery. ‘tbe owners of the steamboat th. the steamboat was ou her usual trip from . J. to New York, and was approsehing, h landing place at’ pier No. 1, North when she was run into by the sloop, which was néar tl junction of the North and East rivers, beadi ‘to the northward of west, with the wind about nort! east, and the vessels proceeding nearly at right with each other; that the steamboat sto) im time let the sloop pass ahead of her, and that she m' either ahead or astern if she bad seen tin time that those on the steamboat did all could to avoid the collision, which wae occasioned by fault on the partof the sloep, The owners sloop denied any fault om their part, and al there was a vessel lying nchor on either course of the sloop, so that she was unable to her course in any way, and that the steamboat did stop ro as to allow the be kept on across the bows of the sloop, and the collision; that the sloop was going in rection, close hauled on the wind, and was w avoid the collision, which was caused wholly by fault of the steamboat. claimed’ by steamboat were igor and by pag oat Both cases were heard together, aad the wing cision hae been rendered? Hela by the Court—It is found that at the time of t! collision the steam! boat seci river up » lo’ Rea her engine to enable the sloop to clear moments before tue collision she backed, at the time of the collision ,the boat had back. That the collision was caused vy the part of the me ‘That after course to & from Fast river along the Battery wall, and after t) slowed and stopped to ‘enable the ¢ courseg without danger, the sloop more to the west, in consequence of which altes slowed and stopped, no collision would have takea The steamboat did all that was required of her to collision, She waa guilty of no faatt. She tight to assume that the sloop would heep the co. he was on at the time the steamboai slowed. That movements of the steamer were directed upon the that the sloop would keep that course. By her net ing that course the collision was occasioned. The boat did all that was required of her to avoid it, and was in no fault. ), therefore, that the libel fi ty the owners of the sloop be distwissed with costa, : ens owners of the steamboat recover the y ™m rer get a ieeape, ta le tant Oar vably week of the opera troupe, a e Igst night but one the operatic epectacle of “seers. when Miss Pyne, Mr. Harrison, and Mr. Borrani appear in leading characters, The amusements will termi with the farce of ‘As Like as Two Peas’’—Davidge, ting, and the Misses Gougenheim in the Jeadiog parts, Bowery TueaTee.—Mrs. Malinda Jones, an actress considerable celebrity, i for a few nights, ‘will appear ip the play o! menter,’? ne verly, and Mr. ir. eee eee » € ‘ fallow: Mr and Mi aries appeari 4 All closea “Our Gal,” Mies Charles as Caroline Morton. Terati ‘The new play, in three acts, Player's Plot,” with new aod beantl a Jar airs comedy of Wattack’s Tueatex —The benefit of a very popu “Sweethearts and Wives.’ actor comes off this evening. The entertainments mence with the come¢y of the ‘Game of Life;’ 1 Brougham, Miss Rose Bennet and a. at their post. American Mcssom.—The aft Ge ie gg loop's MiveTneLs — contints of .negro melodies andthe ew extra the 1 Hotef @ Afrique.” Macbeth will shortly be 1 Buckisy'# Seresavans.—The revival of the