Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-04-01

! nical and unconstitutional LAWS have been en-
acted and enforced; the right of the people TO
keep and bear arms has been infringed; test
oaths of an extraordinary and entangling ma
ture have been imposed as condition of ex-
crossing the right of suffrage and holding Of
fec I; the right of an accused person to speedy
and public trial by an impartial jury has been
denied cruel and unusual punishments have
been inflicted upon the innocent. while murd-
crs, robberes and arsons have been instigated
and encouraged and the offenders have been
allowed TO go unpunished the right of the
people to be secure in their persons, houses,
papers and effects against unreasonable search
es and seizures, has been violated they have
been deprived of life, liberty and property,
without due process of law; the freedom OF
speech and of the press has been abridged the
right to choose their representatives has been
made of no effect that all these things have
been done with the knowledge, sanction and
procurement OF the Federal Government, in
violation of the plainest mandates OF the Con-
stitution; that the usurpation by which spu-
rious Legislature was imposed upon Kansas,
and its people subjected 10 & code OF laws un-
paralleled for cruelty in the history Of civili-
zcd nations, is still in full force, and the peo-
pie are denied the right peacefully TO assem-
blc and petition for redress of grievances
the National Executive has permitted two
Governors of his appointment to be driven
from the Territory under fear of assassination,
and has not dared TO exert its power for their
protection against the lawless minious Of Sia-
very, while Judicial monsters and men whose
hands are red with innocent blood, are retain
ed in ctlice, t. carry on the work Of suhjecting
free territory to the cause of Slavery. Kansas
has been denied admission under free con-
stitution, and fraudulent means are now in pro-
gress TO secure its admission as 4 Slave State
at the next session of Congress. Against this
stupendous wrong, we protest. in the name OF
od and humaniiy-by all that is giorious ia
our history, and by the memory Of the great
and good men who established our liberties.
Resoired, That II IS fraud upon our iars,
aa4 traugGt trih danger 10 oar Institutions, 10
admit TO fuH participation ia their bsneffs,
any man ,rhO acknowledges foreign spprsrl-
rcu, sriict hc cannot coNScisRfioasiy and lcifi-
ont mental rcsrTratioa, GIjure GHd .forerer re-
aoaace; irheacr thai supremacy 3e eis:l "
spirliuai.
ResOlref: That the stape.dO@s frauds by 1rhich
orr popular elections are s,Cayed against a ma
jorify Of tie legally qualified rofers, strikes q!
fie foundation aa4 life Of our system Of gorern-
msnt aad unjcss speedily corrected, 1ciH lead 10
rioleace and anarchy; and lre urge aPos Gil
good cifi>ca, 10 snite for The suppression Of this
| crH; and call upon Legislq.Hre 10
guard Jy eGecfire and stringent fGlrs the Pgrity
| Of The ballot bor.
ResoIred, That the sale OF the Main Line OF
our improvements, is demanded by every con-
sideration that should weigh tn intelligent
and honest men. As source of revenue, /.
is wholly worthless TO the State, while il is
! toriously used as a means of peculation and
! plunder, thereby inicting upon the State pc
cuniary loss, and also irreparable injury, in
| the almost universal decentralization and polit-
| ica proHigacy engendercd throughout its ell
/ tire extent.
Rcsolrei, That we invite the afiiliaton aud
cooperation of men of all parties. however
| differing with MS in other respects, IL support
! of the principles herein De clared and bcliey-
| ing that the spirit OF our institutions, as we'll
| as the Constitution of our country, guarantees
| liberty OF conscience and equality of rights g.
mong citizen, we oppose all legislation i'm
! pairing their security.
! The reading of the resolutions was greeted
with frequent bursts of applause. The rcsoln-
tions cm5odying the American sentiment, es-
pecially, elected the most unbounded enthu.
Siasm.
! On motion of Mr.. Geo. r. Smith, the reso-
| lutlOns were adopted in mass, by acclamation,
and with nine long, loud aud hearty cheers,
! for the platform and the candidates.
! After trlnsactng some other unimportant
! business the convention adjourned sine die.