Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1842-03-22
PUBLIC MEETING AT GREEN Ray.

al Ineeung OF the CIILeHs vi DIOWH COunty,
w. IT,, held at Gen. Wheelock's hotel, on Wed
nesday, March 9th 1842.
Col. DAVID JONES was called to the chair, and
Nathan Goodell appointed Secretary.
On motion of Henry S. Baird, ESQ.,, 49,
committee OF five were appointed by the chair
for the purpose of drafting resolutions expressive
OF the sense OF the people of this county upon the
subject for which this meeting was called
Whereppon, the following persons were appoint
ed said committee, viz: H. S., Baird, VIM. Mitch
ell, f. Gilbert, B. Folett, and Cha's Chapman
Alter few minutes absence the committee return
ed and reported the following preamble and reso-
lutions, which were read and unanimously ap-
proved:
The melancholy and tragica event which recent
ly occurred IN the Capitol at Madison, having cast
upon the name of Wisconsin stigma, and in
ficted upon her fair fame blot which time alone
can wipe out, it becomes us as citizens of this Ter
rltory and lovers peace and good ORDER to record
our sentence of condemnation and adherence upon
the foul act which has thus brought reproach upon
The Territory and resulted 10 the violent and pre-
mature death of a vacabe and respected citizen
And while thus making known our opinion in rela
ton to this awful calamity, it is also meet and pro-
per, that we briefly and plainly state our views in
relation to the barbarous and dangerous practice of
carrying about the person concealed and deadly
weapons 1t has ever been the pride and boast OF
americans that live in the land of liberty; in
country governed by mild, equal, and wholesome
laws, and we hoped, that as citizens of Wisconsin,
our lives and persons were secure from the pistol
or dagger Of the assassin, and our property and b-
erty protected by the laws We still believe there
Is sufficient public virtue, and enough of moral
worth inherent in the character of our citizens, to
sustain these principles, and convince the public
that the act committed by Vineyard, was the act of
misguided and infatuated individual that it is
inconsistent with the notions and character of the
community in which we live that it is universally
condemned !; and that it has not passed with impu-
nifty, nor will it be initiated in conduct We
believe that the carrying of deadly weapons upon
ordinary occasions, is not necessary for the safety
or protection of the citizen that it is a custom
more BETTING barbarous ages long since past, and
more becoming Turks or Arabs than the citizens of
free and emil ghtened country like ours and we
think those who follow this detestable practice
should be Stunned and treated as dangerous mem
bers of society.
To the end that the baleful consequences arising
from the shocking occurrence already alluded to-
may in some degree be removed, and that the pub
lie may be informed of the degree of horror with
which view this transaction, and the carrying
of concealed weapons, the following resolutions
are offered for the consideration of this meeting:
tation the act which has cast foul stain upon the
name of Wisconsin, and de jrived society one of its
most valued citizens.
ResoLoed That we view with equal horror and
indignation the practice (untl recently unsuspect-
ed) of members of Legislation with deadly weap-
ons concealed about their persons that we consd-
er such practice at war with the principles of our
Government highly detrimental to our freedom
and prosperiy and calculated to inflict deep dis
grace upon the character of our Legislature.
ReSotced That we consider the carrying of con-
cealed deadly weapons about the person as wholly
unnecessary for our safety and protection and as
holding forth facilities for the commission of crime;
and believe that doing so is an evidence of a
depraved nature, or proof of the absence of moral
courage.
ReSolced, That the Legislature be requested at
its next session, to pass containing adequate
penalties and prohibitnga practice the existence of
which is at once an evidence of loose state of
morals, acts as an incentive to the commission of
crime, and is in every waydegradlng and disgrace
full to civilized and a free people.
ReSOLred, That inasmuch as the Secretary of the
Territory may upon the happening of one of many
contingencies, become the acting Governor of the
Territory, think it highly improper that he
should be concerned as counsel in any capital case
ReSoLred That while we are DESTROYS James r.
Vineyard should receive a fair and impartial trial.
and the aid efficient counsel, yet we cannot but
express dissatisfaction at the course rdopted bv
Mr.. Field, the Secretary of the Territory in the
of Vineyard.
ReSoired, That these resolutions be published in
the Republican, Wisconsin Enquirer, Southport
Telegraph, and the Milwaukee papers, in order
that the world at large may know in what light we
view this subject.
On motion of IL. S. Baird, Esq, it was
ReS0ired, That the proceedings of this meeting
be signed by the Chairman and Secretary, and pub
lshed in the above named papers.
DAVID JONES, Chairman.
NATHAN GooDELL, Secretary.