The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1848-02-26

Law upon law went upon your statute
books, each more aggravated in its char.
acter, all having one tendency to de-
stroy that political equality, upon which
alone rests the fabric Of our democratic
government. Rights were granted 10
wealth and denied 10 labor; bur,hens
were placed upon labor and wealth wal
exempted from them. Link after link
was added TO the chain with which to
bind the political Sampson, the demo-
cratic party Of Ohio; one more link
was necessary to fasten the chain, and
helpless would have stood before mock
ing whiggery, this giant growing ra-
pidIy in the favor of the people Of Ohio.
The link we have snapped asundsr; it
will give a breathing spell to the honest
people Of Ohio--to pause--,to retrace
their steps and once nor 10 send the
ship OF State afoat, its helm entrusted
TO democratic guidance; may it find
the haven Of safety, and may n new
constitution give US equality Of rights
and equality Of burthens, as the great
groundwork of Jul political institu.
lions.
Nor have we been wanting in care
full and deep reflection, before we took
our final determination. Broken pledg-
es, the stern necessity Of the case, a
violated constitution, and the absence
of any legal remedy, at last compelled
us reluctantly to take this, our present
position.
And even this we are willing to sur
render, whenever reason, justice and
honesty shall have again resumed a par
tial sway over the minds Of the party
now having a majority in the General
Assembly. This will appear to you
plain, on reading the following declara.
ton, signed by US, and which was pre-
scented to the Senate by one of US be.
fore leaving the chamber.
Here follows the "Declaration"
published in our last weeks paper
We deem it unnecessary to re.publish
it,.
That document contains our position,
unalterabIy taken; and, come veal,
come woe, the people, our constituents
shall find that we have met the crisis,
and that nothing can drive US from our
honest, prudent and reluctantly, but
firmly taken position.
AS long as even a semblance Of an
adherence TO the constitution marked
the course oflhe majority, we felt bound
TO bow submissively to their behests;
but when a broken and violated consti-
tuition warned US that every barrier to
our liberties was to be swept away,
then further submission became a vice.
Those now or at any time entrusted
with the management of the govern
nent of the people Of Ohio, have no
power except that conferred BY the
constitution. That is the language of
he instrument Itself. The exercise OF
any power not conferred by the con-
,titution is an act of revolution. That
right we have exercised, and shall again
exercise, whenever necessary 10 de-
fend our freedom.
W. shall now await the further &C.
ton OF the majority Of the Senate ready
at any time to return TO the final dis
charge Of our duties as legislators in
finishing and perfecting every constitu-
tional measure Of the session, or to re.
turn home, each to his constituents
In either case are we satisfied that we
have fearlessly discharged our duties
representatives Of freemen, and that
had we not resisted, it might, with pro.
priety, have been said of US, shat we
were but fit to be slaves, and fit instru.
ments to ensIave the rest of mankind"
ANDREW Fl. BYRES,
JAMES H. EWING,
JAMES B. KING,
SABIRT SCOTT,
J. R. EMRIE,
JESSE WHEELER,
JOHN GRAHAM,
HENRY CRONISE,
b. ANKENY,
CHARLES REEMELIN,
SAMUEL WINEGARNER,
FISHER A. BLOCKSOM,
EDISON B. OLDS,
BARNABAS BURNS,
BENZ. EVANS.
February, Is, 184s.
From the Baltimore Sun.
Unitnd Sfator Inan Riu