Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1838-03-28


Rrati6cation should feel in beng permitted BY
my presence to participate in the proceedings Of
the contemplated meeting. am really rejocecl
to ind that the people Of Newark are waxing up
In relation to this subject, and have no doubt 40
expression Of public sentiment among them will
be made In perfect accordance with the Princl-
pies of virtue, public order and patriotism which
have ever been cherished IN the midst OF that
community.
Il may again become. as It has already peen,
NV DUTY to pronounce the awful and ignominlous
death Of the gaIlows upon some poor, iillterate,
obscure and miserable wretch, who under the
influence Of temptations that can have no soisce
in the bosoms Of intelligent and nlgn-minded
mvr,. has taken the life perhaps OF his enemy
But how will the sentence finger on my Inns,
when remember that gentlemen, dtsfnlguished
for their learning and talents, and hon0red oy
their country, are sitting in Congress- who IN
cool blood have murdered their companions III
legislation, and II may be their friends IN the
social circle. Can il be a code OF honor, that
requires a gentleman to commit crime, the
infamous and ignousiniOus but appropriate pun
ishment for which he is to be hung upon the
eallowsl lam, gentlemen, your ob't serv't.
JOS. G. H0RNBLoWER.
The following preamble and resoIu-
tons were then reported by the Commit
tee, severally considered and adopted, viz:
- Whereas, In view Of the recent mel
ancholy transactions at Washington city,
intimately affecting as they do, the peace,
dignity and honor of the nation, it be-
comes the American people to take the
subject into serious consideration, and so
10 express themselves that the public SEN
,iment may be made known, and felt !;
therefore
Resolved, lst. That in the opinion of
this meeting, the destruction of human
life by the duel, marked as it is by every
circumstance of malice and de!iberation
which defines a MURDER, ought TO be
universally regarded and condemned as
such, and receive from the public the
same expression of righteous indignation,
and from the authorities Of the law, un-
mitigated, the same rigor of punishment
Resolved, I'd, That the recent tragedy
enacted at Washington by members Of
the National Legislature, presenting, so
far as we can learn, the first instance of
the kind, which has resulted in the death
of a member Of the councils of the ma
ton. loudly demands the prompt and
efficient action Of Congress in the adop-
ton Of such measures as shall appease
the wounded moral sense of the commu-
nifty, avert the vengeance Of insuIted
Heaven, and wipe away the stain OF
blood from the halls Of Legislation.
. Resolved, Sd, That we heartily ap-
prove Of the promptitude and energy OF
the Hon. John Fairfield, Of the House Of
Representatives, in calling the attention oil
the House to this subject, and asking for
the appointment Of committee Of inves-
tigation.
Resolved, 4th, That we consider it the
duty Of the House of Representatives to
investigate impartially and thoroughly,
the conduct of the members engaged in
the late duel, and to exercise all their
constitutional power to expel from their
body all who shall have participated
therein.
Resolved, 5th, That while we look to
our Legislators for the enactment oil
wholesome laws, their example in setting
those laws at defiance, for the purpose OIL
redressing their personal grievances, is
alike subversive Of legal restraint, per
sonal safety and nationa! honor.
Resolved. 9th, That we regard the
sacred principles of morality and law as
paramount to those of mere political expe
diency, and that we cannot but condemn
with eqnal severity the disposition to per
vert the righteous indignation of an outra'
ged community to party purposes, and from
an apprehension Of ultimate results, to sup
press the expression Of public feeling, anc
screen the offenders from merited disgrace
Resolved, 9Th, That we earnestly re
quest our fellow-citizens in other places
to hold public meetings, and to express
their sentiment in relation to this subject
and thus eudeaVor to give en efectua
check to that false principle which has SC
long supported it.
Resolved, 9th, That this meeting re
gard with the highest estimation and ap
! probation the measure contemplated b!
the Legislature of our sister State, Massa
chusetts, in requesting their Senators ant
Representatives in Congress to use thel
endeavors TO obtain some action IN Con
gress, TO prevent the savage, cowardIy AM
abominable practice of dueIling in tn
country.
Resolved, 9th, That weregard with aP
probation and interest the introduction tn
} TO the Senate by the Hon. Samuel Prem
tiss, of Vermont, Of bill to punish b.
death all persons concerned in duel re
: sulting in death, and by Imprisonment il
! the penitentiary Of all concerned In gIvln
and receiving challenge and that GU
, Senators and Representatives be respectful
: ly requested TO give that bill their supper
: Resolved, 10th. That the editors OF tn
public newspapers in this State, and OF IN
!. ]. city Of, New-York, be respectfully reques
i ed to give these proceedings, with the lie
J. lters of the Hon Mr. Erslinp huYsen, an