Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1819-10-09
Resolutions udohted at the Smithfeid
1{eetinr.

Resolutions ha0hted at the Smithfeid
Meeting.
l. Resolved, therefore, That every
person born il Great Britain and ireland,
is, by inherelt right, free.
2. That fof the protection of the life,
the liberty, and the property of every
member in a free state, it is expedient
and essential that code of laws should
be established, and an executive admin
istration thereof provided.
3. That as lite, liberty, and property,
are equally dear to every man, whatever
may be his rank, condition, or attain
meht, it follows, Of necessity, that every
man, in free state, is equally entitled
to voice in the enactment of such laws,
and their provisional administration.
4. That to support the just expenses
attendant upon a due administration OF
the law, fair proportioned contributions
from every member of the community
ought to be equitably laid.
S. That, the rights of all being equal,
no freeman in Great Britain or Ireland
ought to be taxed without his previous
admission to a participation Of universal
right.
6. That this universal right may be
exercised III the choice of representa-
tives, to be fairly and freely nominated,
or chosen, by TIE voices or votes of the
largest portion of the whole members of
the state.
7. That the ->nraane who at y>res ant
compose the British House of Commons,
have not been fairly and freely nominated
or chosen, BY the voices and votes of the
largest proportion Of the members OF
the state.
s. Therefore, that any laws which may
hereafter be enacted, or any taxes which
may be imposed, by the present British
House of Cbmmons, ought not, in equi-
ty, to be considered obligatory upon
those WHO are unlustly excluded from
giving their voices orvotes in the choice
of representatives.
9. That from and after the first dayof
January, 1920, we cannot Conscientious
ly consider ourselves bound in equity
by any future enactment which may be
made by any persons styling themselves
our representatives. other than those
who shall be fully, freely, and fairly cho-
sen by the voices or votes Of the largest
proportion of the members Of the state.
10. That with view to accelerate
the choice of legal and just representa-
tives of the whole people, we will cause
books to be forthwith opened in the DIFF
ferent parishes of this metropolis, for the
enrolment Of the names and residence of
every man, Of mature age and sound
mind, resident therein, so as to.enable
him to give his vote, when legally re-
CURED so to do.
IL. That an humble address be pre-
scented to the Prince Regent, requesting
he will be araciously pleased to issue
his writs to tie sheritfs and other return
ing officers Of the different counties and
cities of this empire, to cause represent
tatives to be chosen agreeab!y to the
FOREGOING resolutions, and to assemble
in parlianc in January next.
IL. That il is the right Of every indi-
vidual to retain and express bis religious
opinions, without being answerable to
any human tribunal; and that it is wick
cd, intolPrant, and unjust, TO impose civil
disabilities on account Of any difference
in religious profession.
IS. That this meeting has witnessed
with tho deepest sympathy and regret
the suffSrinss Of our fellow countrymen
of ireland, protesting the Catholic faith,
who, by the unjust, arbitrary, and cruel
laws of a self-eIected legis lature, have
been long subjected to the severest mis-
! cries which one body of men can infict
upon another.
IA. Thatthe applications for Catholic
emancipation, often repeated, and al
ways barbarously refused, prove beyond
all doubt that theSonly means by which
the Catholics can hope for the removal
oftheir disabilities, is by uniting with the
people of England and Scotland, and
demanding radical reform, which, by re-
storing to all men equal rights, will Sc
cure to our Catholic countYincn the
free enjoyment Of all they ask,
Is. That an address, expressing these
our sentiments, be prepared By toe COM
mittce, signed by the chairman and