The Hawk-eye and Iowa patriot. (Burlington, Iowa) 1839-1843, 1840-11-12
MIR. MlLLER's SPEECH.

and without, premeditatioR.on Friday las
and although we figure in il rather conspic
aously, we nevertheless commend it /,
the perusal of our readers. Lee Count,
may well be proud of such member
Mr. NJ. thoroughly exposes the proscrip
i've course of the majority, and we hop,
this speech will be instrumental in stirring
up the Wings not only III Lee, but in al
the counties throughout the Territory
TO vigilance and unity of action. IF thes,
two requisites tladcharacterizcd the part,
during tbelate eiecsion-if they had beer
true TO their principles--a large majority
OF wings would have been elected to the
Legislature and wing Delegate woult
lave been seat to Congress. We canno
believe that The lessons thus dearly learn.
ed, will be forgotten by our friends be.
tore another election.
Mr.. SPEAKER--A young man ant
inexperienced in Legislative proceedings
1t is my desire ON common occasions &c
avoid debate.
But the subject under consideration is
one OF more than common importance;
and when | see such premeditated wrong
about TO be perpetrated on any individual,
or class OF men, as the resolution now be-
tore The House contempla,es, inexperien-
ced as am, | should do violence to nv
ownfeelings not to declare my sentiments.
The resolution involves a principle OF
moral conduct which il sanctioned here.
may be productive Of more harm to sub
sequent Legislative proceedings and the
peace and tranquility of community a,
large, than gentlemen may now suppose.
/ ne resolution involves the principle
whether man underany situation should
be prescribed and prosecuted for exercis.
ing the right of opinion in politics, relie.
ion, or any thing else.
ltenters into the every day business OF
men, and involves the principle, whether
mechanic or laborer however CONNIE
tent he may be for the just performance
"i his duties should be denied work, only
because it has pleased Providence to so
shape his mind that he cannot coincide
with his neighbor in every part connected
with the subject of politics.
II involves the great, all important, and
sacred Constitutional privilege of L1BER-
TY OF SPEECH AND OF TIE PRESS.
Are the people of Iowa ready to sane
ton the regular and prcconcerled attemp,
which appears now 10 be going on in this
House and the City Of Burlington, on the
part of the opposition to break down the
Editor of public journal on mere party
grounds ?
What has Mr. Edwards done to create
against him such unrelenting, fierce, and
bitter opposition? Has he committed
some great moral dercliction? None
says aught against his religious or moral
character-that is not the cause of com
plant. Mr. Edwards is ready writer,
superior to any Of his opponents in the
Territory, and at times has remarked on
their political conduct q little too free.
Does any one complain Of his skill as a
practical printer? 1t is admitted on all
hands that he does his printing with more
iespatch and neatness than any person
Else.
AZ, Speaker, | had fondly anticipated
Ill along I, the organization of the House,
hat this Honorable body would so con-
luct its business, that nothing might be
lone calculated in any way to disturb the
harmony of our Legislative proceedings.
ielt that we were sent here to Legisla,e
or our constituents one and all; not
mere faction or party; not to turn this
Hall into political arena and fight parti-
IAN battles. | am disappointed and NOR
lied at what have seen here. In the
organization of the House l have seen
very officer, 10 in number, beginning at
he highest and ending at the lowest,
lected on party grounds. Above all
have seen gentlemen pledged by word
sd every honorable principle not to take
'srty sides in this House, among the most
lndictive and active in doing so. l have
cen what my constituents cannot, will
lot approve-my district, the most popu-
Gus one in the Territory was SO little re-
pected by the party managers, that The
ext lowest office in the gift of the House,
hat OF messenger, was allotted as her
hare of the spoils. Every thing was
ut and dried beforehand and brought in.
0 the House merely to receive Legisla-
i've sanction. l could not in any degree
'hange the matter-my colleagues, pre-
'ume could if they had so desired. |
with zeal candidates from nv
district of both parties.
During the election canvass in Lee dis
riot the Candidates wi,hou, reserve de-
Jared their several party predictions,
'ut az the same time, spoke against party
'otes in the House and Council, and
'ledged themselves, if elected, to place
hese principles in practice. In this mat
er ! shall return to my constituents with
lean hands and pure heart, and num-
Ter of them who were here at the organi-
alton of the House are my witnesses of
he fact. Let others explain for them.
elves.