Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1838-03-21
PUBLIC MEEEING


greeabe to previous notice without dis
tinction of party or sect, either religious
or political, for the purpose of taking in-
to consideration the proceedings Of the
Hon. Senate on the bill. relating 10 the
rights and compe tency Of Witnesses
the meeting was called to order by ELE-
Azon MoRToN, Esq, who briefly stated
the objects Of the meeting, when MAJOR
A. P. Stnson was unanimously elected
President, and Messrs. II. B. Willard,
]. b. Larue, Pitt Brown, j. Wlttenmyer,
z. Morton, P. Collins, j. Silsbee, j.
Howell, N. Rogers, o. p. Lacey, w.
| McKaeb, were elected Vice Presidents,
and James Sullivan and M. Selegson,
Esqrs., Secretaries.
On motion, committee consisting Of
Messrs. o. P. Lacey, II. B. Willard, w.
McKaeb, Judge Barnard and Eleazor Nor
ton, were appointed by the President to pre-.
pare resolutions expressive OF the sense OF
this convention.
On motion, the convention adjourned for
one hour.
Met according TO adjournment.
I he committee appointed to prepare res.
olutions, through their chairman, o. p. La
cey, Esq, submitted the following pream.
Bile and resolutions, which were scyeraly
read and unanimously adopted
Whereas it is learned from the public
newspapers and other sources entitled to
our entire credonce, that the Senate of our
Slate have, or have had before them a bill
relative to the rights and competency of wit
nesses, which bill, as originally presented,
would have secured equal rights to all the
citizens of this state, in the premises; and
whereas, on melton of the Hon. V. L..
: Bradford of this district, the said bill was
re-committed, with instructions to strike out
he 10th section, which provides that no
person shall be disqualified from giving evi.
dence,under affirmation on account of his
opinions respecting the subject of religion"
in violation, as we conceive, of the plain
intent and meaning of the 9th section of
the lst article of the Constitution of our
, state, which section must ever remain the
> pride and boast of every genuine and liber.
, al minded republican, unless expunged by
the ruthless hand of superstition, i here
;. fore,
D Resolved, That in the opinion of this
S meeting that it is highly proper, and even
d the duty of all genuine friends OF liberty
n and equal rights throughout the state, tina
r thew should take suitable measures publicly
: to express their disapprobation ofthe course
!. purs6ed by Mr.. Bradford and the majority
v of the Senate who have acted with him il
u this matter.
r Resolved, That in expressing our disap
5 probation of the conduct of those who have
n as we think, thus trampled OH the sacre'
charter of our rights and liberties, and oil
the individual rights of very large an
&c highly respectable and intelligent class
~ citizens, we would avoid all warmth of pas
II sion-all violence or enthusiasm, not be
=, cause we do not consider the subject vast
- " important and even very exciting one
and deeply connected with the grea, caus
&c of civil and religious liberty, but becaus
~ we do not consider such course necessar
= or proper, inasmuch as we have conhdenc
~ in the progressive intelligence Of the pee
A. pie to know, appreciate, and sustain OF
he rights.
70 Resolved, That the interference of tn
be civil authority in matters of religious dot
he trinc or speculative opinion. is inconsistel
" with the spirit of our republican institution
:. and subyersive of the constitutional RICH
ev of the citizen.
by Resolved, That any attempt, directly
ed indirectly, by Legislative or judicial actlo
Ike to abridge the freedom of the mind, or
. prescribe standard of faith in any ma
~, ner touching the subject of religion, wheih
he emanatng from the intolerance of bigotl
I'm or spiritual pride, or addressed TO the re
RS, gious prejudice, weakness, or credulity
a. mankind, should be regarded as base 9
in tempt upon the civil rights, and an insulti
,pe imputation upon the good sense of the col
to munity.
'le, Resolved, That we approve of Il
ed which shall provide that no person be d
My qualified from giving evidence on accou
ar. OF his opinions on the subject Of "religor
ley that we consider such law in accordan
md with tho spirit Of our free institutions, a
Ish, demanded by the enlightened position
adj society in the present age, and that Its sp
run it and provisions can only be obnoxious
fanaticism and tyranny.
W RcSOlVGu, HIT tiO StautuuS VI -
the convention and the people generally, is d
OF TO the Hon. ]. s. Barry, of St. Jose
ok, county, for his very able and lucid expo
Jas ton and support Of the constitution, and
yht' him we recognize an advocate of eq
zen rights.
i'm. Resolved, That the proceedings Of
meeting be signed by the President V
her Presidents and Secretaries and published
at On motion, committee was appoin
ac Ae by the Chair. consisting of Messrs J.
'o ., James, E. Morton, T. B. Willard, J. 81
'u .a,, van, and M. Selegsonto prepare an oddr
49,, = y to the people of Michigan, who were
. :" to be committee Of correspondence
!, Berrien county.
~ . A. P. STINSON, Pres't
y r. B. WILLARD, ~
-, J. B. LARUE,
80, PITT BRowN, = -
.n.a J. WITrENMYER,
49, f. MoRroN,
~ p. COLLINS, s,5
49, ]. SILsBEE,
;e J. HOWELL,
J. N. ROGERS, ,,-
60 : - o. P. LACEY, ~.