they may consider themselves members. The masses can
never know the secrets or purposes of a party, which pro-
fessedly has secrets, confined to degrees and orders, among
them, some of which are locked from all but the few who
may attain to the highest degrees. It will not satisfy the
public therefore to say, the Governor has alluded to the
American party—and in so doing has treated with indignity
the majority of the Legislature—and this investigation
should not therefore be proceeded with; and the Committee
will not examine any one upon oath, because there is a large
majority of the members of this Legislature who are mem-
bers of that party, and can speak for themselves and declare
their principles. All this may be true, but are you sure,
gentlemen, that such of you as do, or may speak, will or can
proclaim all the principles, objects, and purposes of that
party? Are you certain that those who do, or will speak,
even know them all? Again,—are you certain that none who
may speak, have ever bound themselves by oaths not to make
full disclosures, and are therefore not at liberty to speak
fully? Is it past all doubt, that they will be believed as
fully by the public on their mere word, as equally respect-
able gentlemen, not of the Legislature, would be, if speak-
ing or giving testimony under the solemn sanction of a
lawfully administered oath, which it would be perjury to
violate ?

But it may be said, it is unbecoming their dignity to be
put upon trial 1 If they are upon trial, who has placed them
there? Themselves alone; and it is not usual for any one
to give testimony or to be a witness in his own case. Indig-
nant, conscious innocence sometimes demands investigation,
and puts itself upon trial; but it is seldom seen to shun or
shrink from investigation once begun. Having once con-
descended to stoop to an investigation, however disagreeable
such an investigation may turn out to be in its progress, it
knows too well, and dreads too much, the pernicious effect
upon public opinion of such a step, ever to fall behind its dig-
nity for protection, until that innocence is made manifest by
the most thorough scrutiny. May it not be that some will
say of this case, that the majority, the party who chose to
consider themselves accused, not content with being the
judges in. their own case, have insisted upon, and determined
to be themselves also, the exclusive witnesses, and not only so,
but that their testimony shall be given when and where each
one pleases, and without the sanction of an oath ! What will
an impartial public think and say of such a procedure?

For all these reasons and considerations, this minority were

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