Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1823-03-01
Communicated for the spectator.)
PUBLIC MEETING.

ing the | s. h February, 1895
Col. Thomas Cox was called to the
chair, and Gen GuY w. SMITH appoint.
ed secretary,
On motion,
Resofped, That committee of seven
persons be appointed to draft and report
an address and resolutions, TO meeting
of citizens to be held at the State House
on Monday evening next, expressive of
the sense of the meeting, relative to the
Of the General Assem-
bly, 10 the people of this state, to vote tor
or against convention, at the mex cleo
ton for members TO the General ASSEM-
bly,.
Resolved, That John M'Lean, Theo-
philus w. Smith, Emanuel J. West,
Thomas Reynolds, William Kinney,
Alex'r P Field, andA.useph A. Beard,
be that committee.
Ordered That the meeting adjourn
until Monday evening next.
Monday evening, I'm FEB. 1928.
The meeting met pursuant 10 adIourn-
ment.
WI. dOMho Mn 1itdii ifpb'
Gen Guy w. SMITH Secretary.
The committee at the former meetings
reported an address and resolutions,
which were unanimously adopted.
Resolucd, as the sense of this meeting,
THAI the adoption, bya constitutional ma-
iority of the General Assembly Of this
STATE, Of the resolution recommending
70 the people Of this state, to vote Tor or
against a convention, al the next general
election for representatives to tire Gene
raj Assembly, meets our entire aPproba-
ton.
Resolved, That il is the opinion of'his
meeting, that the people are the only le-
climate source OF all political power, and
that ii is not only their right, bat their du-
ty, to amend, alter, or change their form
of government, whenever it ceases to be-
productive of the obiec, for which all
governments are instituted, the peace,
sat y, and happiness Of the people.
Resolped, That in the opinion Of This
meeting, the constitution OF this state re-
CURES many material alterations, essen
tai to the interest aud well bein.s oithe
,eopi-. ard tia, i is heir 1eciaea ePl-
| son, THAI a convention ought to be CALI
ID 10 accomplish the same
TO TIE PEOPLE IF THE STATE OF
ILLINOIS.
FELLOW CITIZENS,
The General Assembly The state
having, by constitutional majority OF
Doth branches, adopted a resolution re-
commencing to the electors, at the next
election of members Of the general as
emily, to vote for or against a conven~
ION, ii becomes the duty ofevery citizen
. this state, not only TO express bis OPT
MON Oh this question, but to examine tho
causes which nav have induced IT, and
determine for himself tbs course nc
ought ultimately to pursue III regard
thereto. The right OF the people TO tao-
dify, or change the form oil faeir govern
ment, whenever it ceases to secure the
great and primary objects for which
all governments are established, and
which may be briefly enumerated, as con-
centratlng in the peace, safety, and hap
piness of the governed, will not, ii is
presumed, be for a. moment denied. by
the most inveterats opposer Of con-
venlion, if even, that right had not been
most solemnIy guaranteed TO the citizens
Of this state, by their constitution. Al
though by he Formations o. civilized GO
vernment the people, who for the mr.
pose Of mutual protection, not merely
With regard 10 their personal liberty, nd
Of enjoying the acqlireneht OF property,
but generally ofpnrsuing their own hap
Diness, by ihus entering toto a compact,
necessarily consented to give up cer-
tain portion of their ma rural rights, for
the better security of those which re-
manned, it can never with the smallest
sembance of justice be maintained, that
the great and fundamental principle upon
which all republican governments rest,
(the will of The Majority ought not to
prevail. Yet, as wiling as all may APP
pear TO be, 10 admit in theory the excel
lence of this rule, it is with regrci that
we are constrained 10 believe, that there
are some amongst Us, who would most
4 .a@r. .H.saa.