The Illinois free trader. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1840-1841, 1841-03-12
it is ours to perpetuate and ours 10 enjoy.
Therefore,

ReS0ioed, That III the judgment OF tins
meeting, the condition aud crisis of our
public affairs, previous to The 9th Of No.
vember last. demanded and justified the
act of the Governor in calling a special
session of the Legislature.
Resoiued, That, in the opinion of this
meeting, the last session of the present
Legislature was held with a full knowledge
of the condition of public sentiment in re-
spect to the most important interests OF
the state-the payment of interest upon
the public debt and the completion of the
canal-and justified the public expecta-
ton, thai these would be the first and par
amount objects of their attention.
Resolued, That the present legislature,
in not providing for these paramount in-
terests, have failed to perform their duty
in most important point, and have not
truly answered the wishes and expecta-
tons of the people of the state of Illinois.
Rasolced, That among the duties and
obligation which we hold most sacred
among men, and the violation of which
inhcls the deepest infamy and dishonor,
we recognize the inviolabilty of the
plighted faith and credit of sovereign
state as first and chief-an obligation
which no American state has yet failed
most scrupulously to perform.
ResOlued, That we repudiate the posi-
ton in which this legislature has placed
us in respect to this subject as false po-
sition in respect to the people, hostile TO
their views, repugnant.to their feelings,
and stain upon their patriotism and no.
nor, inflicted gratuitously by those who
were bound to protect and sustain both
position in which we dlsavow their au-
thority to place us, and in doing which,
we most solemnly declare they were not
the true representatives of the people.
ResoiUed, That the last legislature hav-
ing placed us, the people of the state Of
Illinois, in false and disgraceful position
before the world--our honor furnished
and our interests abandoned-it becomes
necessary for us to resume our inherent
sovereignty for the purpose Of vindicating
the one and providing for the other.
RESOLVED, That due regard for the
confidence reposed in our state by our
National Government and for the prosper
ity of our citizens, demands vigorous
execution of her trust in speedy COM
pletion of the canal and, since a suspen-
sion of the work must subject the state to
great loss by the decay and delapidotion
of improvements already made at an ex-
pense of millions of dollars, and be attend
ed by a total loss Of fixtures on its line
which have cost near half Million, and
bring embarrassment and bankruptcy up
on our citizens, who, prompted by spi-
rit of laudable enterprise and an mistaken
reliance on the firmness and integrity of
our rulers, have embarked their fortunes
and credit in this great work, we can not
but regard neglect on the part of our le-
gislature to provide for its energetic pro-
secution, as disastrous to our hopes and
fatal to the best interests of the state.
Resoived, That a crisis has arrived,
more important in the judgment Of this
meeting than any which has before arisen
in the history of our state, demanding
with a fearful urgency that the authority
of the Governor, wisely conferred, should
be forthwith exercised, now if ever, in
calling an extra session Of the legislature
of the state Of Illinois, as the only method
of protecting her honor and avoiding dis
grace, and meeting fully and promptly
the present exigency of our affairs.
Resolued, That in view of the ability,
vigilance, and fidelity, with which our
present chief magistrate has thus far, in
his gubernatorial career, guided and pro-
tecled the honor Of our state and the good
of her people--we rely, and rely with
confidence, upon his prompt ana efficient
action in the present crlsis.-Ever true to
his duty in office, and fast friend of the
canal, he will not prove recreant to his
trust in the hour of greatest peril.
On motion of ]. o. Glover, Es,I., the Presi-
dent appointed w. II. w. Cushman, J. V. A.
Hoes, A. Woodruff, L. l.. Dckey, l.. w. Link
T.. Hayward and j. G. Champlin committee
charged with the duty OF corresponding with the
Governor the State, and expressing to him the
views of the people Of La Sale.
The committee, chosen at previous meeting
to Invite Senator and Representative to attend
this meeting, reported that they had performed
the duty assigned them, and that Mr.. SrADDEN
had verbally informed them that he would proba
bly, be in attendance also that they had received
letter from Mr.. Donor, stating that sickness in
lis family rendered it impossible for him TO at
tend