The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1854-09-27

rights of the people preserved; and that b
no other bond can the Union Of the State
, be preserved and perpetuated, We will, a
become grateful descendants of the wise
yirtuous men of the Revolution; and as be
come such Of us as are citizens by adoption
under this Constitution, defend, and so ia,
as our exertions can, preserve it urimpair
ed in our time, and transmit it to posterlty
in its pristine purity.
Resolved, That, as it is characteristic
of Republicanism to recognize the equality
of individuals in she enjoyment of political,
civil and religious liberty and rights, we
deprecate, under whatever pretext made,
and will oppose all attempts to make the
enjoyment OF the rights, privileges and be-
ne6ts Of American citizenship depend upon,
or be Influenced by other than constitution
al prescription. and the laws eracted in
conformity thereto.
Resolved, That, as once Independent ele-
ments of the Confederation, we still recog.
nize the Sovereignty of the respective States
under the Constitution, and believe it to be
essential to the full enjoyment of political
rights by the American people, that all re-
served powers of government be exercised
by the States within their respective juris-
dictions.
Resolved, That, as in the acquisition Of
territory, all sections of the Union contribu-
ted their proportion, whether the purchase
was made in blood or treasure, so, in our
opinion, ought citizens of all sections of the
Union have the right to equal participation
in the benefits of such acquisition, control
ed in the exercise of their rights by the Con.
stitution of the United States, as exempli.
fed by the principles of the Compromise of
1850. and as carried into effect by the Ne.
braska Bill.
Resolved, That, as freedom of speech and
of the press is the right Of every American
citizen, and as changes and notifications of
existing laws are proper subjects of discus.
sion by the people, there is no necessity, nor
propristy in organizing secret political so.
cietiss to accomplish legitimate political
objects; and the fact that such organizations
exist in the United States is prima facie ev.
idence of tte illegitinacy of their aims and
purposes.
Resolved. That, in addition to these spe.
cial expressions Of our sentiments, We ap.
prove of, endorse, adopt and re.afirm the
Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions of l79S,
embodying, as they do, patriotic sentiments
aud constitutional principles, and being, as
they are, applicable to the political fanati'
cism Of the present Gay, as they were to the
assumption of power by
the Federal Government, in the enactments
known as the Alien and Sedition Laws.
Mr.. Griffith then read the Address, which
will be found attached to these proceedings,
and on motion Of Mr.. Norman, it was adopt
ed by acclamation.
Mr.. G. continued to address the meeting
pxtempore for come time after the reading
Of the Address, and he was frequently in
terrupted by loud applause.
B. NJ. Samuels, Esq, spoke eloquently on
the historv of the Constitution of the United
States, and of the Virginia and Kentucky
esoluticns of 1898. Other excellent 81 eeco.
es were made by Messrs. Emerson, Qnigley,
Rogers, &C., which kept up the enthusiasm
Of the meeting until nearly IL o'clock.
MIR. Mahony suggested that this was
fitting occasion to take some steps with a
view to the better organization Of the De-
Party-the party Of the Constitu.
lion, throughout the State, and moved the
appointment Of a committee of seren for
that purpose. Remarks were made BY sew.
eral gentlemen present, aud the motion vas
adopted.
The Chair appointed Messrs. Mahony,
Rogers, Parker, Emerson, Samuels. and
Shine, to constitute that committee.
On motion, the Chairman and Secretary
of the meeting were added to the committee.
On motion of Mr.. j. j. E. Norman, (amen.
led on motion Of Mr.. Quigley,) it was
Resolved, That the proceedings of this
meeting be published in the Democratic pa.
,ers of this City, and that the Democratic
papers Of the State, Of Washington City,
and such others as approve the object
The meeting, be requested to copy them.
On motion of Mr.. Quigley, the meeting
adjourned, with three loud and hearty cheers
'or the Constitution.
S. HEMPSTEAD, Chm.
WARNER LEWIS, Vice.
JNo. G. SHIELDS, Pres
CaAs. CoRKERY,
Sacrets tsirv