The Kansas herald of freedom., 1855-09-01
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citizens of johnson county met at the
Court House on Monday, August 18th,
1855, for the purpose of giving an ex-
preston of their views upon the exciting
question now agitating the people of this
State.
! On motion of Mr. J. M. Shepherd, H.
Harrison, Esq, was called TO the chair
and Fl. r. Dobyns, secretary At the
request of the President, Mr. Shepherd
stated the object of the meeting, after
which, on motion of the President, ap-
pointed the following gentlemen as a
committee to draft resolutions, express
sire of the sense and feelings of the cisi-
zens of the county IL. s. Cornwell,
DIR. r, w Rankin, w. Gaut, Judge
/ VIM. Frapp, John Longacre. A. N.
Christian, Jasper II. Foster and John
ousley. And upon motion of l.. S.
Cromwell, J. NJ Shepherd was added
to said committee.
The committee thereupon retired and
after short absence reported the follow
ing preamble and resolutions:
Whereas unusual excitement prevails
/ throughout the country in regard to the
question of slavery, and whereas it is I'M
portant that every person should have
Il clear view of that exciting topic ia or
| der to enable him to act with discretion
as. an American citizen pledged to sup
| port the uni)n of the States as the only
safeguard and buiwark of freedom, the
base upon which rests an our civil and
religious liberty. guaranteeing alike to
each and all freedom of speech and free
dom of the press. these mighty engines
of public opinion-lherefore withered be
the hand that would touch that sacred
bose, and palsied be the tongue that would
advocate It's destruction under any cir
camstances. And whereas city, county
and State meetings have been held for tile
purpose of giving expression of the feel
lngs of the masses upon the ''thrilling
topic" some of which we depreeate for
their fanatical zeal, and others We highly
approve and endorse for the conservative
spirit exhibited in their resolutions, and
although both in Congress and at our
mass meetings, angry discussion arise
which seems TO threaten dissolution of
the Union, yet the fire of patriotism ever
burns upon the altar of American hearts,
and that pure conservative principle, still
the tempest by the passage of laws that
are constitutional and just, sufficient for
all emergencies; and whereas, there seems
to be such diversity of opinion in regard
to the duty of the citizens of Missouri,
we, the people of Johnson county, in
mass meeting assembled, do declare the
following resolutions TO be our deliberate
opinion -
/. That we regard the pcrpetuity of
the Union of the States, paramount to all
other questions that may arise.
G. That strict adherance to the con-
stitutional lawsof our country, both Ma
tional and State is the only sure guaran-
tee, for preservation Of the Union, and
we avow our pledges to stand to, abide
by, and assist in having them duly exc
cuted
3. That we look upon the notification
laws of Massachusetts and other nom
siayeholding States, as tending to an
archy and confusion, and were it not for
the weakness of our present federal ex-
ecutive, the laws of the United States
would have been enforced, and the States
made 10 recede, from their uuholy position
as did South Carolina in the days of
Andrew Jackson.
4. That the Constitution and laws
guaranteeing to us the right to worship
God according to the dictates of con-
science, we regard as sacred, and the
course pursued at meetings held in our
own and sister counties. in prescribing
ministers efthe Gospel of cer,ain denom-
nations. is tyranicaI, arbitrary, Illegal,
unjust, aud unworthy the intelligence OF
an enlightened community.
5. That the present excitement upon
the subject OF Slavery in Missouri. is
uncallel for, and as we believe only TO
advance the interests of few dema-
gogues, who to accomplish their own
aggrandizement, would sacrifice our
own glorious Union itself Therefore
we regard any person who from choice
agita;es The subject of slavery, as All
enemy TO the best interests of the slave
holding community of our State.
6. That we deprecate the attempt be-
ing made By some politicians ofour State
to brand as aboliiionists or freesoilers,
all who do not subscribe to their peeu-
liar views or opinions in regard to the
power of Congress to legislate upon the
subject of slavery in the Territories oil
the United States thereby endeavoring
to create an isshe that would prove ruin
Gus to the best interests of the south
cutting off nearly the whole conservative
part of the nation.
T. We give to the people of the Uni
ted States our sentiments, the American
motto 'sE Pluribus Unum p may it con-
tinue our motto while grass grows and
water runs
DIR. Shepherd being called for made a
speech in favor of the resolutions.
DR.. S. M. Fulkerson moved 10 lay
them on the table which was rejected
| by large majority.
DR.. Fulkerson's motion caused con-
siderable excitement. aud those opposed
to the adoption Of the resolutions endeav-
ored 10 break up the meeting in confu-
sion but failed.
The preamble and resolutions were
then adopted by large majority, and
the Secretary ordered to furllisha copy
of the proceedings FOR publication to the
Warrensburg News with request thai
all papers favorable to the preservation oi
law and order to copy The meeting
then adjourned.
H. HARRISON, Chairman.
II. r. DoBYNs, Secretary.
Produce Market.
i An.,las and Yafssfl,es ar, very Y1ientv IN