Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1856-05-14

To maintain the union of the States
and the rights of the States-to resist
the spread of Slavery and the aggres-
sions of the Slave Power-to secure a
thorough reform in National administrs-
ton, and a free government for a free
pcople-the undersigned, citizens Of
Ohio, hereby unite in fraternal associa-
ton, under the name of the estate Re-
publican Association. of Ohio" and
adopt the following Platform and Con-
Stitution:
PLATFORM.
ART. l. We claim for all men equal
rights. and exact justice, defended by
just and equal laws. and protected by
honest and impartial Legislation.
ART. II. We resist all attempts to
subvert or impair our Republican insti-
tutions by any combination, native or
foreign or by any power, civil or eccle-
siastical.
ART. III. We acknowledge the equal
rights of all persons to impartial protec
lion in the enjoyment of religious free
dom, to the free exercise Of the cleo.
tive franchise, and we propose no tests
for Office, except honesty, capacity and
devotion to American institutions.
ART. ". We hold that each State
hrs the right to make and enforce its
own laws as supreme, so far as they do
not conflict with the Constitution of the
United States.
ART. V. We require for our country
a government Of the People, instead of a
government by an Oligarchy; and agov-
eminent maintaining before the world
the rights of men rather than the privi-
leges of masters; a government sympa-
thising with the efforts Of oppressed ma
tons to achieve their liberties, rather
than with the tyranical despoiisms which
are leagued against them.
ART. VI. We demand a thorough
reform in National Administration, by
the substitution of economy for extlavi-
gance, and impartial regard for every
interest instead of the subordination of
all interests 10 the views of a Class.
ART. VII. We insist that there shall
be no Slavery outside of Slave States,
and no denomination of the Slave Pow
err over the action of the National Gov
eminent; and in order to accomplish
these ends, we invite a frank end cordial
co operatian of all our fellow citizens Of
whatever political views in other respects,
for the sake of Union upon the common
platform Of exclusion of Slavery from
National Territory, and thorough Re-
firm in National Administraii n, and in
support of candidates for the Presidency
and Vice Presidency, avowedly and re-
liably in favor of these objects.
CONSTITUTION.
ART. 1. Any legal voter being a ciii-
zen of Ohio, may become a member of
this association on subscribing to this
Platform and Constitution.
ART II. The Officers of this Associ
alton shall be a President, W Vice
Presidents, three Directors, Treasurer,
Recording Secretary and Corresponding
Secretary, who will serve until such day
as the Association shall appoint for the
annual meeting, and then hereafter the
officers shall be elected annually; and
every President Of a County Associa-
ton shall be ex-oficio a member of the
State Association.
ART. III. A subscription book shall be
placed in the hands of the Treasurer, in
which each member may write opposite
his name the amount he is willing to
contribute monthly to the funds of the
Association.
ART. ". The Directors, with the
President, Vice Presidents, Secretaries
and Treasurer, shall constitute an Exc.
cutive Committee to disburse such funds
as may be placed at their disposal by
the Association, and to perform such
other duties as may then, from time to
time be assigned them.
ART. V. The funds of the association
shall be devoted exclusively TO the pay
ment of the necessary contingent ex-
penses Of the same, in the purchase and
of important documents, and
in the use Of such means as may have a
tendency to advance the principles laid
down in the foregoing Platform.
ART. VI. The Association shall hold
meetings as often as may be
deemed advisable, and the President
shall have power to call special meetings,
and it shall be his duty to call such
meetings whenever requested by three
members of the Executive Committee.
ART. VII. Amendments to this Con-
stitu ion may be made by being proposed
at a regular meeting, and adopted by
two thirds of the members present at a
subsequent meeting.
On motion, it was decided to 60 into
election of officers, and the following
gentlemen were elected to serve till the
first annual meeting of Association. viz:
President-Wm. B. Thrall.
Vice Presidcnts-Dr. J. H. Coulter,
and w. T. Bascom.
Directors-J. w. Mestwater, James
H. Beebe and Gen. Alez. E. Glenn.
Treasurer. G. Van Slyke.
Recording Secretary F. c. Sessions.
Corresponding Secretary-A.M NJ. Gan
gewer.
On motion, it was
RESOLVED, That it be recommended that
associations be formed in the
counties of the State, and it be
requested that they report 10 the Cores
ponding Secretary the names of their
officers, &C., for the purpose of faciliating
correspondence.
Resolued. that the foregoing proceed
ings be published in the Republican pa
pers TIL Oughout the State.
HORRIBLE SUFFERING AND CANYIBAL-
1sM.-About The 1st of December three
U. S. soldiers, named Rigert, Wicker
and Cornell, deserted from Fort Pierre,
Nebraska Territory. and started down
the river. Overtaking a party of four
civilians, they agreed to keep together,
and proceeded for several days until
heavy SHOWS and intense cold set in, and
continued without intermission for 80 or
40 days, during which time they made
little or no progress, and suffered terribly
from hunpar- One soldier. named Ger.