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rest of their countrymen. It is, therefore, one of the cardinal
points expressed in their declaration of principles; and it holds a
conspicuous place in that declaration, because the American Party
have found foreign influences at work to impair it, and, unfurtunate-
ly not without aid from political interests leagued in support of
those who are, if not positively hostile, at least naturally indiffer-
ent to it.

In declaring themselves the friends of civil and religious liberty,
they acknowledge no separate advocacy of religious liberty at the
expense of its ally, nor of civil liberty, subordinate to any ecclesi-
astical authority. In this conviction, they have adopted the 8th
Article upon which the Governor has laid so much stress in the
impeachment he has attempted of the fidelity and patriotism of the
American Party.

In concluding this Report, the Committee think it their duty to
the House to say that, regarding the portion of the Message that
has been referred to them as an assault upon a large number of
the people of the State represented in the Legislature by a majo-
rity of its members: these constituting a party as clear, as open
and as specific in the assertion of its principles and aims, as any
other in the country; and which, upon the evidence furnished by
the Governor himself, has only exercised the common privilege of
all citizens in the free expression of opinions it deems important
to the good government of our country. It is difficult to find a
motive for so unusual, so futile and so inopportune an exhibition
of the Executive ill-will. To call it a breach of privilege, might
perhaps describe it as the greater number of judicious and im-
partial citizens of the State would think most appropriate. To
regret it as an unfortunate exhibition of ill-timed and undeserved
discourtesy, is the milder and on that account the preferable judg-
ment of the Committee upon an Act of official intercourse which
for many reasons touching the dignity and harmony of the State
Government, it is to be hoped may never hereafter be used as a
precedent.

The Committee recommend to the House the resolution hereto
appended.

A. KENNEDY, Chairman.

Resolved, That the select Committee to whom was referred so
much of the Governor's Message, as relates to Secret Societies,
be discharged.