The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1849-03-08
WHOLE NUMBER 800.

ever the Judge Of the Fourth Judicial Dis
srct should deem ths, tho pus'ic sced re-
quired il. In accordance with this, tho
Judge Of said district, during tho last SUM
mer appointed Sheriff Of said county, who
Immediately, in pursuance Of the law, or
ganized tho county. The boundaries o
fixed by Law, embrace "thc country called
the Potta watamic purchase, on the wdyers Of
tho Missouri river, 10 this State" and con-
sains population Of some four thousand iu-
habitante.
BY the act Of organization, the people
Of that county became possessed Of all the
rights guaranteed to all and each Of tho
citizens Of tho State BY the Constitution,
and of which they cannot rightfully be de-
privcd except by criminal prosecution on
. presentment or indc,mcu, by grand ju-
~. Yet this General Assembly sought
to disfranchisc that whole country embra-
cling an area Of one-four,h of the State.
with no moro scruplc than they would re-
peal Ferry Charter leaving them without
law, without courts, without the privilege
Of voting, but boldly claiming and demand
ing that they should pay taxes. This at
tempt we are conscious has only 10 DO men.
toned To be condemned by every friend of
law and order. Every man Of either polit-
ical party, secs at once the dangerous ten.
deucy Of such IN attempt. Candid men
every where, We hesitate not 10 saw, will,
and do raise their warning voice against this
attempted infraction Of the Constitution,
and tho passage Of an oct that endangered
the organization Of every county in this
State. True. il mny be said, the bill was
not passed. While this is true. the rcspon.
sibiity Of the majority for tho fragrant a.
tempt 10 pass il is not tho less, and they
should not tho less be held up to public in
dignaiion. With an overwhelming psrsy
vote they carried il triumphautIy thraugh
the House. In the Senate, ~ in some 9TH
CT instances, while they had the will, they
scarcely had the courage to strike the blow.
Very valiant ut first, they eoon became q
little passive. and again, on the last day Of
the session, they plucked up the courage
sud attempted to suspend the rule and 70
read the bill third time. To do this they
had not enough 10 make the required
three-four,hs, Notwithstanding every demo-
cras voted for the suspension. So that No
see that almost the last thing they did vss
m atiempt to psss this bill.
But they have been guilty Of % great au
outrage - il they had passed tho bill
They steadily and against oil our efforts,
excluded this county from the new judicial
district that was formed at this session,
thereby excluding them from sny judicial
districts, or st least from hearing in coy
Of our courts. This vas almost % greet
90 outrage as was attempted in repeating
tho law organizing the county; and il they
did not pass the one, they did the other, ssd
the responsibility is upon them. They also
attempted TO roorgsnizc THO Congressional
District, 20 n To exclude this county, aud
also attempted the same thing 10 tho oct
sPportioning the State into Senatosial
and Representative Districts, thereby at
tempting TO do indirectly what they hsd
not the courage 10 do directly. For tho
credit and honor Of our State at home end
abroad, We rejoice that they did no. sue
coed.
We have thus stated tho facts connsc.
ted with legislation on this subject. We
urge upon you fellow-ci,izcns, TO reflect
well upon this outssge-as you value your
happiness, prosperity and liberty, to put
your seal Of condemnation upon oil such
nets, and upon all men who will fav9 such
doctrines. II this is the precedent, then
liberty Of speech, thought and the press, 10
a byc-word, and all our rights and privileges
At the mercy Of . csPricious majority end
a relentless and tyrannical party spirit
Such positions meet no enlargement
from 10, end We much mistake the charsc.
Tor Of the people Of this Stnie IL il meets
favor with the honest, candid end intelli.
gent 81 any party OF sect.
We have thus fellow citizens given IN
account Of the moro important transactions
Of the session. Wa fear we have heen too
lengthy, but considering the many matters
Of vital importance 10 YOU, Ne could not
be vel! more BRIEF We have attempted
10 give you fair statement Of our action.
and that Of the majority. We ssk yos 10
examine the Journals for yourselves ssd
think upon the action Of this General A.
sembly. We ask you 10 inquire whether
the session has been 1t any benefit 10 The
State, os rather whether il has moi boon N
injury. And in conclusion 10 ash you
whether the following charges against tho
majority in both bsanches, which 10 have
attempted TO provc in this address arc not
true?
let. u il not true thss they have elected
pro slavery men in the United 6sstes Sen
ate in opposition 10 the will Of majority
Of the people Of this State, ssd did sbsy
not in refusing 10 instruct those Senstsss
and orr Representatives 10 favor II tho