The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-06-14
THE RIGHT SPIRIT IN KENTUCKY.

The attempt lately made in Kentucky to sup
press freedom of speech, in the case of JOHN
G. FEE, one of her bravest sons, is reacting in
favor of Liberty. We chronicle the proceed
ings of another public meeting in that State,
called to condemn the outrage:
AT large meeting of the citizens of fessa-
mine county, Kentucky, called without atinc-
ton of party, May 26. 1885, James En-. land,
Esq., was made President, and George flake
man, Esq, Secretary. c. NJ Clay, after ,eech
of three hours, which was listened to thr augh-
out with great interest and respectful attention,
offered the following resolutions, which, after
| challenging discussion and negative votes, were
unanimously adopted:
Resotred, By the citizens of Jessamine coun-
ty, and State of Kentucky, in mass convention
peaceably assembled, at Little Hickman, accord
ing to the time,honored usages of American
Freedom, that We invoke the calm Judgment of
the people to our conscientious avowals.
Resolced, That the liberty of speech, the free
dom of the press, the untrammeled uttefance
of religious opinions, and the undisturbed exer-
else OF the worship of God, are inalienable rights
OF man, and, by the guarantee of our National
aud State Constitutions, are our political i.;her
itance.
ReSolred, That the act of any man or st of
men, by which we arc deprived of these rights,
or punished for the alleged abuse of the same,
without legal procedure, is a gross usurpstion
of power, and practical despotism, to whica we
cannot submit without dishonor and the lois of
all other liberties.
ResOlUed, That mob law, lynch law, or any
other attempted exercise of political or civil
power outside of the regular channels of just
ice and law, which result in injury to person,
dos pfi of loco Of %
by any sophistical plea of necessity or selfde-
fence, be otherwise characterized than as vio-
lence, robbery, and assassination the tolera-
ton OF which must of necessity, lead to retalia-
ton, anarchy, and civil war!
ResolUed, That the act of portion of the cit
liens of Lincoln county, by which, in March
last, the Rev. John G. Fee, citizen of Ken
lucky and of the United States, was interrupted
and silenced in the utterance of his political and
religious sentiments and opinions, whether they
be good or bad and which we neither intend to
endorse nor denounce, was an usurpation of
power unknown to our Constitution and laws,
anarchical and revolutionary, and which ought
to be resisted by all honorable means, bf ap-
peals to the courts of justice, and, all ether
means failing, by repelling force by force!
Resotred, That we stand by the citizeis of
the Glade, in Madison county, and the citizens
of Boon's Fork and of Green's school-house,
in Rockcastle county, in their public resolves to
maintain the supremacy of the laws and the
liberty of the citizen, no matter what may be
his party or principles.
Resolred, That the newspaper press of all
parties, under whatever pretence of patriotism
| and public interest who invoke or sanction
lynch law, cannot be viewed by true and SEN
sble men, and honest Republicans, in any other
light than as the base tools of party, or the
hireling followers of power
Resolced, That the times demand calm iudg-
ment, fixed purpose, courage devotion to duty,
and heroic patriotism, such as called our fathers
to the field in l776, in the maintenance Of the
liberties which they bequeathed us: and to the
defence Of the Constitution of the United St~tes,
and the Commonwealth of Kentucky, we pledge
once more "our lives, our fortunes, and our
most sacred honor"
Resolced, That these resolutions be signed
by the President and Secretary of this NEE ing,
and have due publicity given them.
JAMES ENGLAND, President.
GEORGE BLAKEMAN, Jr., SecretaY1.