The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1861-01-19

nOblest gatherings ever held by any poillf
cal party in this State. Ninety-three
counties were represented by over i've
hundred delegates, embracing III their
number the alIcst men in the democratic
ranks. The venerable ZADoK CASEY presi-
ded: Hon. Samuel II. Ilcat, Hon. j. D.
Cation. and other men Of that class were
Vice Presidents, with suitable corps OF
Secretaries Among the speakers and act
i've participants III the proceedings were
men like Col. Richardson, Col Nerrick,
Col uigbee, Murray Mcconnell, Judge
Scates, BY. Goudy, DC. The resolutions
were prepared by committee Of two
from each congressional district, headed
bv Col. Richardson. The following are
the resolutions reported by the committee
which were unanimously adopted by the
Convention:
WHEREAS. we believe our Federal Union
Is in danger. Of revolutionary disruption by
the withdrawal Of 4 portion OF the States;
and 3
rriceIcss value, and not to be preserved by
fraternal feeling among the States, and
Whereas, the present perilous state Of
the country has been produced by section
al agitation in relation to the institution
OF slavery, thus creating discord and en-
nlitv between the different sections, which
has been aggravated by the election of a
sectional President, Therefore,
ResoJred, BY the Democracy OF Illinois,
in convention assembled:
|. That we are warmly attached to the
Federal Union. That we do not recog-
nize in the diversity Of our institutions
any cause of conflict between different
States. but on the contrary, we deem the
varieties of climate, soil, productions, do
mestic institutions, industry and modes OF
thought throughout our widely extended
territory, grounds OF more lasting and
perfect union; that we regard its dissolu-
ton as eminently disastrous to all our in
terests, and dangerous TO civil and religious
liberty.
> That it is the prompting Of patriotism
and the dictate Of wisdom, to make an
earnest effort to save the Union by conci-
liatiou and conccssion and therefore, in
the spirit Of compromise, we are willing
t. accent the amendments to the COnstI-
tuition proposed III the United Stats Sen
ate by Senator Douglas, or those proposed
by Senator Crittendcn. or the BORDER
State proposition" or any other plan OF
Cancellation and compromise which has
been. or may be offered, by which harmo-
nv NAV be restored between the people of
the different sections OF the country, and
the Uuion perpetuated.
s. That we deny the constitutional right
of any State. or any portion OF the people
thereof, to secedc from the Union. and
nat we ore equally opposed 10 nullitica-
ton at the North and secession at the
South. rs violative of the Constitution Of
the United States.
j. That IN the opinion Of this Conven-
ton. the employment OF military tG!cc by
the federal government to coerce submis-
sion of the seeding States, Will inevitably
plunge the country into ci.ii war, and en-
tire!y e.tincuish all hopes of a settlement
Of the fearful issues now pending before
the country We therefore earnestly en-
treat as well the federal government as
the seeding States, to withhold and stay
the arm OF military power, and no pre-
r text whatever to bring on the nation the
/ horrors of a civil war, until the people
themselves can take such action as our
troubles demand.
). That we recognize the power and du
" OF the federal government TO protect
the property Of the United States. And
we recognize. and declare the duty aGC
power OF the federal government through
tho civil authorities within the .jurisdic
ton OF the States to enforce all laws pass
cd in pursuance Of the Constitution.
g. That no political organizations de
servcs the confidence Of the American
people rrl.u.s; leaders and members, Iy-0
ferin: party to country, ard the unity o
their party organization to the union o
the .:trtes, viii run madly into civil war
lraternal strife and disunion, ii preference
10 a fair and honorable compromise, found
ed upon such mutual concessions as are
consistent with the rights Of all the States
and may be essential to the existence O
the Federal Union.
T. That It is the duty Of the Legislature
Ct every State OF this Union, which ha
passed laws 10 obstruct or crnbarraSs Ia
surrender of fugitive slaves, Commoni,
called Personal Liberty Laws, to imme
diately repeal all such laws, and we rejoic
70 say that no such laws have ever beel
/, found among the statutes of Illinois.
5. That we heartily respond to the no
bic and patriotic spirit manifested by tn
uaoplc OF our sister States, Kentucky an
Indiana, at their respective convention
on the Sth OF January, il their efforts
preserve the Union.
, .. That We recommend that CONVEX
ton be held at Louisville, Kentucky, o
the ODD day Of February next, to take Il
to consideration the present perIlOus stat
Of our country, and recommend to tn
- people such Just corrections and sue
amendments to the federal constitution a
will be likely TO produce Ieace, harmon
! and fraternal feeling throughout the Who'll
, Union That said convention consists c
one delegate from each congressional di:
Irict, ard two nj large from each OF the q
States OF the Union.
10 That the president Of this convei
ton constitute L committee to correspon
with our friends IN the other States OF tn
Union on the subject of the Lousvill
Convention hereby proposed, with autho
ty to change the time and place ior hole
ing that convention.
H. That this Convention urgently r
GU st the present Legislature OF this STATE
by joint resolution, to cali upon Congress
in the mode provided 10y the federal Coz
: stitution, for Il convention OF the State!
, to amend said Constitution; and iIrthe
urgently request the Legislatures OF tn
several States, to take steps to the en-
: that with the least possible delay thee
= may be a convention Of the States for tn
purpose aforesaid.
Spriu field Oh ~ ednesday.
: Neither House of the Legislature was
session or, Wednesday the ReDTesentltiN