Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1857-08-01
AMti.M oh Law Meeting.
SPR1NGDALE, Cedar Co.. Iowa.

CrhN1DALE, SctlilI Wa 4O"ds
Pursuant to public notice, large number
Of the citizens of Springdale and adjoining
townships, in Cedar county, Iowa, convened
at the Friends meeting house, near the
Springdale P. o on the 18th inst, for the
purpose of giving expression to the senti.
,nents of this community, in relation to the
recent lawless proceedings in and near our
county seat. On motion, the following Of
ficers were appointed5 viz: EEEE-T
Elisha Todd, President.
Nehemiah, Chase, Abel Clifford, William
Townsend, Vice Presidents; Thomas Vim,
Secretary.
The object of the meeting having been
stated, the following named gentlemen were
appointed committee on resolutions, vizs
Hon. J. W. Cattell, j. A. Grinnell, Thom-
as VIM, Emmor Rool, Nathan Tabor,
Aaron Frame. -.-.
During their absence the meeting Vas
addressed by Aessrs. arinnell5 Staples, Hales
Coppec and Clifford.
The committee submitted the following
preamble and series of resolutionsf
WHEREAS, portion of the citizens of Ce<
dar and adjoining counties have recently
under the title of the "Vigilance Commit
tee" taken upon themselves the punishment
of reputea criminals without regard to the
laws, and have, in several instances inflicted
summary vengeance, therefore,
RESOLVED, That much as we desire that
horse thieves and all other criminals shall
be made subject to the punishment due to
the: offences, when inflicted under sanction
of law, we cannot sanction, but must con-
denn the acts OF those who have recently
| tfampled the laws under fOot5 and inflicted
summary vengeance.
I ReSolrcd, That when portion of the
people, acting under excitement, may with
impunity, trample the laws of the country
under foot to effect their purpose, the rights
of the good citizens of u free and enlightened
government are no longer secure but may
be wfe>ted from them BY any phff OF pass
sion. We5 therefore, are OPPOSED to-, and
must condemn ali manifestation of the mob.
ocratic spirit. " ."r .....h
Resolvea, That We hope and desire that
most of those engaged in the late proceed
ings. resulting in the execution Of several
men, are not so entirely void of respect for
our laws and the rights of the citizen, but
that when the excitement subsidies, they
will have feelings of remorse for their do
ings. t..t..-ts
| Resolved, That it is the dirty of the public
press to condemn all such mobocratic pro<
| ceedings, and that press which is not highs
| toned enough, or has not sufficient respect
for the laws to raise its voice in opposition
thereto, should not receive the support of an
enlightened community. We, therefore,
call upon the public press of the country,
the officers of the law and the courts of JUS
tice to protect the country from the depre<
dations of thieves aud mobs.
Resolved, That the peace, prosperity and
welfare of our hitherto peaceful, law. abiding
community, demand that all good citizens
should use their influence and raise tlieir
voices against all lawless violence, and en-
deavor to bring the guilty to punishment,
according to law.
The p Gamble and resolutions being sep
arately considered, were adopted by the
meeting with singular unaui nifty On mo
ton,
Reso7ved, That our Secretary be requested
to offer u copy OF the proceedings of this
meeting for publication to the editors of the
two newspapers Published in this county<
also to the Iowa City Republican, Musca-
tine 9onrnal and New York Tribune.
On motion adjourned
ELISHA TODD, President.
TnoAAs WINN, Sec'y. .E