, 1844-01-06
PUBLIC MEETING.

cember lS43, by the appointment OF
! Hen. r. Boon, as Chairman, and James
NJ. Martin, Esq, as Secretary.
On motion it was:
Rssolped: That the Chairman appoint a
committee of five to prepare and report
a suitable preamble and resolutions, ex-
pressive of the sense Of this meeting
whereupon Rob't. M. V. Kerchcval,
Rob't. Fl. Allison, VIM. Reading, Joseph
Carroll and James NJ. Martin, were ap-
pointed said Committee, who reported,
through their Chairman, the following
Preamble and Resolutions:
Regarding 4 frequent expression OF
public opinion upon leading subjects OF
political economy as the surest Safeguard
of MISUNDERSTANDING that it has 4
tendency TO keep us sensibly alive TO the
best interest of State and National Gov
eminent, as well as to advise US Of the
acts of our agents, without which we
should become accustomed TO look up to
the Government for laws, and TO its off
ccs for instruction, without appreceiat-
ing the effect of the one, or questioning
the motive of the other, thereby render
ing the people passive agents, the will
ing Instruments in the hands Of political
demagogues 10 swell their power, 10
minister to their inordinate ambition, and
TO enable them to fasten upon the coun-
try a species Of mental slavery more obi
Gus and intolerable than any with which
man has been cursed since the Feudal
age of benighted Europe, we hail with
pleasure the many expressions Of free,
open and independent opinion which are
now being made by the freemcn Of this
State, through their primary meetings,
upon the various subjects which al pres
eut agi;ate the country, and with the view
to a more intimate association with our
countrymen, we respectfully submit, in
the following resolutions, an exposition
Of our faith:
Isl. Res0lreG: That, as all power is
inherent in the people and rightfully
eliminates from them, we recognise mans
free agency not only in religious but po-
iitical questions, and endorse, in the full
lest extent, his right of private judg-
meEt not only upon the enc, but upon
the other.
2nd. Resolred: That, as the purity Of
our institutions and the stability Of the
Government are inseperably connected
with a free and untrammeled exercise OF
the elective franchise, we canno, too
~sternly rebuke, mol too violently con-
denim the demagogue, who TO CRAFTY his
unhallowed ambition and iEordinateth its:
for office, would subvert the most sacred
principles OF Republicanism by any sys-
ten of intrigue, or bargaining for office.
Sd. Rcsolred: That all history teaches
the necessity of a strict accountability
on the part. of public agents, and that
whenever they have been permitted to
transcend the powers delegated TO them,
they have rarely failed 10 monopolise the
most important offices, and to assume the
i~nsolent bearing Of 4 dictator.
18th. Resolred: That any one who is
base enough 20 avail himself Of the con-
fidence Of the people, as expressed in his
promotion 10 a minor office, 10 secure hy
contract, or "GrTGngcment," ono Of the
most important stations in Tie Govern
ment without consulting the people, and
in contTayention TO their wishes, is u
Traitor to every principle of Demccra-
cy, and deserves TO be branded with in
fanny.
9th. Resolrsd: That in Republics where
the laws are enacted, and the policy of
Government is directed by m!ajor:ties,
they, only, have the right 10 instruct up
on any matter of public interest; and that
whenever a minority, however respccta-
bic it may be either in point of number
or talent, assumes this prerogative, it
does not impose upon the agent the obi
CATION to obey.
9TH. ReSOtred: That we subscribe 10
the immutable principles of Democracy
as such we are the advocates of equal
rights, Of equal representation, and have
an abiding confidence in mans capabili-
ty for self-government. We are oppos-
ed TO all latltudlnarlanlsm, and in favor
of a strict construction Of State and Fed
eral Constitutions. We are opposed TO
all partial legislation, and TO the taxing
Of one portion Of the union for the bcne-
fit of an other: consequently we cannot
but condemn the present unequal Tariff,
and as firmly protest against the assump-
ton of State Debts by the General Gov
eminent. We are opposed TO a Nation
al Bank, in any form, and an advocate for
the Independent Treasury, as recon-
mended by President Van Buren,. We
are in favor of a frugal administration OF
both State and National Government, and
believe that "retrenchment and REFORM"
in the latter, are demanded by the best
interests of the country.
9TH. Resolred: That in proportion as
the nomination and selection of candid
ates for Office are removed from the