Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1851-01-02
For the Burlington Ilawk-Eye.
Public Meeting ut Donviile.

Pursuant to 4 previous notice, a meeting OF the
citizens and vicinity Of Danville was held in the
Congregational Church Dec. 81. A. d. 1850. The
call for the meeting reads as follows: The friends
of the Union and Constitution OF the United States
who are opposed TO the fugitive slave law, and de-
sire its repeal requested to meet in this place
on Friday evening 9th inst, for the purpose Of
expressing our opinions and confering together
upon the course of action proper to be adopted at
the present crisis.
On motion the meeting was called to order by ap-
pointing ELIZUR PORTER President, JOHN Nc
MAXIM, Jr., and ED CApy, ST., Vice Presidents;
and 0. J. Sharp and Joseph Booth, Secretaries.
On motion, Fl. A. Ritner, Joseph Booth, DR. Har-
man and J. ]. McNIakin were appointed a commit
tee TO report resolutions.
The committee reported the following resolu-
tions:
Resolved, lst, That cherish the most ardent
attachment TO the Union Of these United States and
will sustain it by every honorable means, with all
the influence we possess.
Rescued, 2nd. That the constitution Of the Uni
ted States ordained in order to establish jus
tice. insure domestic tranquility, provide for the
common defence, promote the general welfare, and
secure the ssihgs OF liberty to its trainers and
their poserity; and that every law of Congress sub
versive Of these ends is in violation Of the spirit
of that instrument. and ought to be repealed.
Rrsoiped, Sd, That while we admit the nstitu
tonal obligation; that no person held to service or
labor in state by the laws theIe escaping n
another, shall in consequence ofany Law, or rcgu-
lation therein be discharg ed from such labor, or
service; bnt shall be delivered up on claim of the
party tn whom such service. or labor is due; Yet
claim that the present fugitive slave law (hy
not securing to the person claimed under such law
a fair trial by jury) violates the constitution which
provides in the fifth article Of amendments, that
person shall he deprived OF fe libf,ty or property
without due process of law; aad in article seventh
which prot ides thai in suits at common law when
the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dol
lars. the right OF Trial by jury shall be preserved,
and by confering judicial powers upon infer ior Of
fcers who are not appointed, or hold their term OF
Office or receive their compensation for services,
according to the requirements Of that instrument.
Rrsoired, 4. That the internal CONNEXIONS Of in
fidel France. its revolutions. and counter revolu
tons, intestin wars AMI hioodshed, have in our
opinion been orcasioned, principally by the Athe-
i>tica and Deistica sentiments of its inhabitants,
similar TO those expressed in the ninth printed res.
olnuon of the Union Mass Convention Of esmoines
county, lately convened in Burlington and that If
such sentiments shall generally prevail the inevi-
table consequence will he that our country will be
the theatre Of like tragical scenes.
Resolred, 9Th, That the fugitive slave law was
designed and maturea by disunonist, and e.
gard the exclusion from the law of the jury trial
proposed Ivy Clay and Webster as designed for agi-
tation, alienation and disunion.
Rcsolred, 9Th, That while we remain part Of the
government and claim its protection it is duty,
and the peace, and safety Of the country require
that we should submit TO all laws legally enacted
however unjust in their provisions, until they can
be repealed; hut our allegiance to that CHER Pow
er whose law is supreme forbids us personally to
aid or assist in the enforcement OF any law contra
ry to the law OF God.
On motion the resolutions were taken up singly
and adopted and rejected as follows:
On motion the first resolution being read was
unan imously adopted.
The second resolution being read was unani-
mously adopted.
The third resolution being read and discussed
rejected, yeas 25 nays 81.
At this stage of the meeting it being ascertaincd
that some were participating in the proceedings
not included in the call; it was moved that those in
favor of the present fugitive slave law, show their
assent by rising, when 81 arose, those opposed IS;
after which all were invited to participate in the
proceedings.
The fourth resolution being read and discussed,
was adopted, yeas %, nays IL.
The fifth resolution being read and discussed
was rejected, yeas II, nays 81.
The sixth resolution being read was unanimous
ly adopted.
On motion a reconsideration of the I'D resolution
being taken, an amendment was made by striking
out the following: Sand by confering judicial pow.
upon inferior officers who are not appointed or
hold their term Of office or receive their compensa-
ton for services according to the requirements Of
that instrument.
On motion it was agreed that the proceedings of
this meeting be published in the Burlington papers.
On motion the meeting adjourned 10 meet on FRI
day the 10th Of January, at s O'Clock p. NJ, to dis
cuss the fugitive slave law.
ELlZUR PORTER, Pres.
0. J. SHARP, (s,cre,orie..
JOSEPH BOOTH,