Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1837-12-14

Inc non JUS. i. Austln next TOOK tne stnAu,
and addressed the meeting. The substance
Of his remarks was, that while the sentiments
of the Resolutions were true in the abstract,
compiled from our own bill OF rights, and
such as could not fail to meet the assent OF
all freemen, yet, he did not see the necessity
Of an extraordinary meeting, at this tinp, Tor
the purpose OF making formal declaration
of sentiments, that were universally recog-
nized in this country. His remarks were re-
ccived with great applause. He was sue.
ceeded by Mr.. Wendell Phillips in reply, and
in support Of the Resolutions. AT this time, +,
there was much noise in the Hall, and loud
calls for the question Mr.. William Smrgs
rose to request the audience 10 hear Mr.. Phil
lips. Silence was then restored, and Mr.. p.
resumed, and soon closed his remarks. Mr..
George Bond then rose and addressed the
meeting. While he reprcbated the mob at
Alton, he stnted, that, bad as il was, it was
not more outrageous than the a.rocious at
tack upon, and coDfagration Of the Convent
at Cbarlestown, and the more recent attack
of the mob of this city, on the Montgomery
Guards. He intimated, that, had this military
company evinced the rashness of Mr.. Lovejoy,
blood would have flowed in our streets. He
placed the department Of this military corps,
in contrast with the conduct Of the Rev. Mr..
Lovejoy, and highly commended the course
Of the Guards. On the whole, however, as
the resolutions presented were snch as would
meet general appreciation, as they were not
such as we could well vote against, and if
now rejected, it might be said abroad, that
we dssented from their sentiments, he re-
comme nded that they be adopted quietly, and
that the citizens should then return home
Without further discussion, the question was
put, and the Resolutions adopted. Not half
of those present appeared to vote at all. OF
those who did vote, a majority voted in favor
of the Resolutions, and The meeting was dis
solved.
The following are the Resolutions, which
wete presented by B. F. Halett,and prepared,
as he stated by Rev. DR.. Charming:
Resolved That our civil and religious lib
critics, which have come down 10 US from our
fathers, sealed with their blood, are a most
precious bequcst, and that when liberty is
invaded, this consecrated hall is the chosen
spot where its friends should meet together
to pledge themselves to its support
Resolved, That we are assembled here TO
assume the bpdge Of no party, to narrow our
selves to no local or temporary interests, but
to maintain the supremacy ofth laws, and to
give expression and support to those univer-
sal principles of Justice and freedom,on which
popular institutions and the hopes of philan-
thropy rest
Resolved, That il has pleased God to CON-
nit to this people, dbove all,others, the cause
of human free dom that we are called to the
high office Of manifesting the power of free
institutions to ennoble and bless a people ;
and that in proving false to this trust, we shall
not only cast away our own happiness, but
Hot tl,ai inta .f,Ft lac kttyn
and shall deserve the condemning sentence
of all nations and of future times.
Resolved, That to offer violence to the
rights of the citizen in free country, where
these rights are understood and recognised
and taken under protection Of the laws, is a
more heinous crime and Of more fatal inhu-
encc, than the expressions Of absolute here
ditary power.
Resolved, That among our rights, we hold
none more dear than the freedom OF speech
and the press, that we look to this a. the
guardian Of oil other rights, and the chief
spring of human improvements so that to
wrest it from the citizen, by violence and
murder, is to inffict the deepest wound on
the republic.
! Resolved, That by the ordination of Provi-
dencc, we are passing through a stage of So
ciety, in which principles and institutions are
subjected TO the sevcrest scrutiny and that,
in such period, earnest conflicts OF opinion
cannot be escaped. and ought to be cheerfully
endured as inseparable from the exercise of
privilege which is essential to the progress
and best interests of the human race.
Resolved. That it is the fundament idea
of the freedom Of speech and Of the press,
that the citizen shall be protected from vio-
lence, in uttering opinions opposed to those
which prevail around him; that if by such
freedom nothing more were intended, than
the liberty Of publishing what none would
deny, then absolute governments mightSoas,
Of it as loudly as republics so that to put the
citizen in peril, on the ground that he pre-.
sumptuously perseveres in utterDg what is
unpopular, or what the majority do not ap-
prove, is to assail this freedom in Its very
foundation and to destroy its very life.
Resolved, That in free country, the laws
enacted according to the prescriptions Of the
constitution, are the voice of the people, and
are the only forms by which the sovereignty
of the people is exercised and expressed; and
that Of consequence mob, or combination
Of citizens for the purpose Of suspendng by
force the administration of the laws, or oi
taking away rights which these have guaran.
tecd, is treason against the people, contenp,
Of their sovereignty, and deserves to be visit
ed with exemplary punishment.
Resolved, That the spirit of mobs IS spir
Of indiscriminate destruction that when the
press shall have become It's prey, its mex
victim will be property; that there is no pow
er on earth so terrible us human passion, un
bridled by principle and law, and iniamed t.
madness by the sympathies of crowd; ant
that if we silently and passively abandon an!
portion Of our fellow citizens TO this power
we shall have no right to complain, when ou
own turn shall como to feed its rapaciousnes