Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1840-04-01
Immense Meeting Mt mosou,c Hall.

Pursuant to a reyious call IN the papers Of the
day overw helnng meeting OF citizens, without
distinction Of party held last Friday evening at
asonic Hall, for the purpose depressing their APP
probation Of the law 'for preserving tn purity of
elections in the city OF New York." now in progress
in the State Legislature.
The NEE citing was called to order by the Hon.
AAnoS CLARK, on whose motion EesrRr BEyseN
was cal ed to the Chair
The following named gentlemen otIiciaed as Vice
Presidents, viz. =
John Labagh, Samuel Sparks, Caleb NJ Little,
James w. Domini k, JohE IL. Cutter, William
Tagyard, William Davis, Richard II Ward, Re 70
c. Hance, George BIiag', Elijah I. Lewis, John l..
Earle John oyer, Jr, Garritt Stryker, Jacob p.
Bunting, John Fairlie, and John +. Adriance.
Aud Messrs. Nicholas Carroll, r. ii. Attwili, Hugh
Auchincloss, Jr., Joseph Parker, Jr., Jo n c. Wal
dron, III. w. Havens, Thomas Appleton, John $.
Mott John Canerella, Jr., II. A. Blu bingham, were
appointed Secretaries
The following Address to the electors Of New
York was then read by Alexander w. Bradford,
Esa and was unanimously adopted, viz
To The Electors Of the City Of Netc York
whereas an act to prevent illegal voting in the
city OF New York, and to promote the convenience
Of legal voters has been under consideration in the
Legislature Of this state:
And whereas its various provisions, the prime piles
involved in the same, and the motives which led To
legislative action, have been either ignorantly or
purposey misrepresened, and public agitation been
unjusty directe as well against the constitutional
ty the propriey and necessity ct this euactmeLt
decent regard for the views and opinions OF the
tive Franchise, demands a fair and candid exposi-
ton Of the and reasons leading to this mpor
tant change In our laws
In a countr, where the people are self governed
and the general prosperity, safety, and happiness,
depend upon the will ofthe jJrity IL Is but due to
these important interests, that such constitutional
or legislative provisions as affect their existence
should not be susceptible OF alteration except by the
voice ofthe people CLEARLY certained in a manner
wholly free from the imputation Of fraud and that
at the same time the right OF universal suffrage
should be carefully protected, as TO render its le
ultimate exercise convenient IN enjoyment.
All power springs from the people, aHd their de.
termination is manifested in their elections Fraud
IN elections il at the root &c all wickedncss in the
government OF a rerublic,' and by lille al voting
tie very fountain IA al of our institutions may be
corrupted every considera ION Of justice and OF pub
lie policy requires that ar adequate remedy should
he applied where this most dangerous OF all political
diseases exists.
In these principles, thus broadly stated all parties
appear to unite, aware that the stability Of the
Common eslth rests upon thei basis and convinced
that IL corruption enter the very sanctuary Of eur
political liberty, the citadel is already gained. and
the outworks must rapidly and surely fall But IL
is in the application OF these truths that diversity OF
sen huent prevails. and as npon all her questions,
il 10 by their application alone that the test is made
between unqusstioned sincerity aud mere profess
sions
Influenced by a Just respect for the fundamental
laws regulating our government, the friends OF Re-
xisfry taw yield ~ none IN their attachment To the
Coz stitu,ion but rather esteem as an evidence Of
their that instrument thetr
such legal enact ents will tend to enforce its pro
visions in spirit and in letter, and TO tn the
citizens the free and uninterrupted enjoyment OF all
its sacred privileges. Aware that it contained po-
sve directions To the Legislature TO pass laws for
ascettaning by proper proof the citizens who shall
be entitled to THO right Of suffrage, individuals snd
pubic bodies Of various political perssasions have
fo time 10 time earnestly desired that this express
rsouisiton Of the Constitution should receive some
effective vitalit, ard when within aler periods the
most nagito Gus corruption within our immediate
view had tainted the purity OF our sections but
genera, sentiment prevailed as to the absolute ne
csssiiy of adliiionsi safeguards. and the utter IN
eff iercy &c those heretofore existing. To meet
this Necessity the Registry ct now before the Le
ri latnre appears to have been carefully and jadi
ciousIy framed II has, however, met objections
II various character
II. unconstitutionality j. obj ctsa Tohis Il may
he re- oiled tha although IN the Convention of lS2l
const,,u,ional provision for REGISTRY ~ votes
| perotiyrd from esifc not 20 fcttcr us with sys
tsr which should il prove irjudicous, could not be
| easily repca ed ii " YVES apprchended that the
subject was fairly and intentionally left open Tor le-
ysis,iy. action Nv directing IN genera, terms the
| massage ,f laws for ascertaining by proper proof
those citizens who are entitled TO vote. Moreover
the proposition rejected not merely naked plan
for the registry Of votes but in its details was con-