Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-12-09
POLITICAL MEETING IN AMHERST

At a meeting of portion of the people of Am
horst county, at the Court House thereof, Mon
day the 2lst day of Nov. 1881, for the purpose of
appointing Delegates to meet other Delegates from
the other counties of this Congressional District in
;the town of Chariot esvc, on the first Monday in
December next, to appoint delegate to represent
this Congressional District in the approaching
Convention, to be held in Baltimore he second
Monday in December.
The meeting was called to order-Capt. Edmund
Penn was called to the Chair, and John Thompson,
jr. appointed Secretary.
On motion, Resolved, that the chair proceed to
appoint Committee of FIVE persons to draft suit
able Preamble and Resolutions, intended to effect
nate the objects of this meeting; whercupon Col
John Pryor, Ambrose Rucker, John Thompson, ir.
Joseph Staples and John G.. Davis, Esqrs. were APP
pointed said Committee, who reported tho follow
ing preamble and resolutions, which unani-
mously adopted TO wit:
This meeting views with deep concern every at
tempt, matter from what quarter it may corso
to lessen the respect for and the attachment Of the
people to the Union, because they do believe that
the Union of the States under the Constitution is
the only safe guarantee to future liberty ard ia p
PIness; and that without it tho people would he
constantly subjected to insult and degradation, civil
wars, anarchy and confusion. Under this belief,
we view every man who pretends to calculate the
value Of the Union, who gives countenance to
those who do, enemy to the free institutions OF
on beloved country.
We deem the preservation of the morals of the
people essential to the permanency of our liberty
and happiness; ana ne VINO openly or CoVcrtIy
gives countcnanCe and encouragement to licen-
eiousness, or who, by system of rewards and
punishments for the free exercise of opinion, (the
dearest right of mani tTammel5 the elective fran
chise, and thereby builds up and perPetuates party
feelings and prcludices, among the deadiIost floss
to freedom.
We view airy attempt 10 reward editors Of the
press from the puhlic crib, appointing them ia
important lucrative Offices because of their attach
ment to any party in power, as having direct
tendency TO corrupt tho sources Of information
and thereby to have a deleterious effect upon the
minds the people, and as tending to subvert the
laws and constitution Of our country.
We view blind attachment to mon, regardless
of principle, among the most dangerous symp-
toms of disease in our body polite and calsula
ted to the fears of the patriot for the stab
ity Of our government, therefore here declare
that our pursuit is for principle, and not for men
and that we care not who shall be President, tina
no be able, vrtuous, ''and faithful TO the Constitu
ton"
We hereby declare, that We view any attempt o
a state to nullify law of Congress a direct at
tempt to sever the Union OF the whole and tina
whenever any State shall be so far forgetfu Of he
own happiness and of her allegiance to the Consti
tuition, as openly TO set defiance by resistance t
the laws of Congress, made in pursuance Of TN
Constitution, that she has already committed al
overt act of rebellion, and it bshoovcs the consti
tuted authority of the country, with the strong arm
Of the federal power, put it down.
We hereby declare it 10 he our opinion ,shat tn
Tariff Laws heretofore passed by Congress are Con
stitutona!, and that what is called the "AmerIcal
System" is the true Pelicy 70 be pursued by tn
federal government. But, in making this decla