Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-04-28
PUBLIC VOICE OF THE PEOPLE,

fUbLlO NOlOH Ob Ihh fhOF hh'
rubmc Meetlna at PaiucsviIie
In acceptance with previous notice the cit-
zens Of Painesville, Lake county. assembled at
Moodey's Hail. on Monday evening, April26th,
to take into consideration the doings Of che
Federal Court, now in session at Cleveland.
The meeting was large in numbers, and car
nest in spirit Hon Aaron Wilcox was chosen
Chairman, and L. s. Abbott Secretary. A
Committee, consisting Of Hon. John X. French,
Hon. J. r Morse, Hon, Jerome Palmer, Dea.
Harvey Brigham, and VIM. Mathews, Esq,
were chosen 10 prepare resolutions expressive
of the sentiments Of the meeting, which Com
mittec subsequently reported as follows
Resolped, That the act of the Federal Court
in causing the arrest and imprisonment Of our
/ fellow citizens of Lorain county, for no crime,
but for the performance Of duty clearly re-
quired by Religion and Humanity, is an out.
rage which demands the prompt interposition
Of the power of the State through its oonslitu-
| ted authorities. tf.t
ReSolued, That Che pretenoe Of authority, un-
der the Fugitive Slave Law, for the commission
Of that, and similar outrages, is no justification,
Il
tive Slave Law is not only clearly unconstitu-
tiona but is also so rePugnantt to every principle
of Justice and Humanity, that no Constitution
or Compact can make il binding and it is so
dorOgatOry to the moral sense and aefrespeot
of free and honorable people, that it deserves
no argument, but only eTecption and con-
tempt .....
ResolDsd, That we tender our sympathy and
our warm appreciation TO our excellent and faith
ful fellow citizens Of Lorain county, now suf.
foring persecution for Righteousness sake ~
We consider thnir cause that OF the whole peO.
pie, and we will do our share TO maintain IT,
Resoiued That we call upon the people to
meet together, and consider the importance Of
the present crisis, and give utterance TO such
sentiments and determination as become a just
generous and brave people, knowing their
rights, and ready 10 maintain them.
ResOlped, That the Government of the United
States is FEDERAL in cOntradistinctOn 90 Nation
ai--formed, ordained, established by the States,
and for (but not Over) the States, as individual
soveTeignties.
ResOlped, In the language of Jefferson, that
"The several States composing the United
States of America, are not united on the prin-
ciple of unlimited submission to their general
government; but that by compact, under the
style of Constitution for the United States,
aud of amendments thereto, they constituted
general government for special purposes dele
gated 10 that Government certain definite pow
ers, Teseryng, each State to ITSELF the residuary
mass of right to their own selcgovemment;
and that whensoever the general government
assumes undelegated powers, its acts are unau-
thoiitative, void and of no force: that this gov.
eminent created by this compact, was not
made the exclusive or final judge of the extent
of the delegated powers delegated to itself,
since that would be TO make its discretion, and
not the Constitution, the measure of its pow
ers; but that as in all other cases of compact
among parties having no common Judge, each
party has an equal right to Judge for itself as
we'll of the infraction as of the mode and meas
ure of redress"
ResolDed, That in the recent action of the
| people of Wisconsin, sustaining the decision of
their Supreme Court, declaring the Fugitive Act
unconstitutional, we have an earnest that the
rights of the States will be maintained against
the usurpatiOns of the Federal Court
ResOiUed, That we congratulate the friends of
Freedom and Civilization everywhere upon the
sure promise of the early conquest Of tho Fe-
deral Government by this Republican party;
believing that it's first work will be tho purifica-
ton Of the Federal Court by re-districting its
circuits in accordance with population, making
Judges and Marshals elective by the People, and
for limited periods, and the rescue of the Jury
Box from political traffic
ReSolUed, That the events now transpirng
in Ohio, remind us of the duty of strenuous ef-
forts for the return of Legislature at our next
election that will enact Personal Liberty bill,
providing for the political disfranchisement and
UutlawIy of any citizen who shall in any way
attempt thl enforcement upon the free soil of
Ohio of the hated Fugitive Law.
Resolutions were adopted, and ordered to be
published in the newspapers of PAinesville and
Cleveland.
The meeting was addressed by Hon. Ur
Seeley, Hon. VIM. L. Perkins, Hon. b. Bissell,
and Messrs. French and Abbott, all in APP
proval of the resolutions and purpose of the
meeting.
AARON WILCOX, Chairman.
L. S. ABBOTT, Secretary.