, 1861-01-21

Nr, Ahstiu Brooks, the representative in
our Legislature, Of the Senatorial district Of
Adams aod Brown counties, has rcsigncd
his seat, alleging as reasons Tor the act 1st
that be bel:eres the Lesislaturc will not pass
bill for Constitutional Convention, and
Sd, that he de'ieoes the Legislature will pass
bill for organizing the militia which will,
be in violation Of the Constitution Now
if Mr.. Brooks were sincere in these beliefs,
the obvious dictates Of patriotism would
require him to remain in lis seat, 10 oppose
all improper and unconstitutional lcgisla-
ton, to urge fDrward MI necessary and just
measures for the public wcal, 10 lift mp his
voice continually and loudly IN behalf Of
those who coniaed their interests to his
keeping. As Senator from the counties
ofAdams and brown he can make himself
heard al orer the Et1te-he can interposc
q strong voice and q stout vote IN the path
ff all unwisc and Illegal measures. But as
a priyate citizen, he can do none Of these
things. He is simply Aus Brooks, best
known to the public By the aacrity WITH
which lie ran away from a post of du = and
defrauded his constituents Of their rightful
voice III the councils Of the State He has
proclaimed himself coward and m IN
faithful public servant. Those who con-
fided to him their interests aud their equal
share in the legislation Of the State, will
takc good care Of 3lr. Brooks in the future.
But let rs look at the rcaEons which
this fugacious Senator assigns for his act.
On the day before his resignation the Ecn-
ate unanimously adopted q resolution de-
clsrins their purpose to enuct Conycn-
ton bill So that portion Of Mr. Brooks's
apology falls to the ground. Leaving out
Of view the extraordinary conduct predi-
Gated On mere belief or suspicion of some
thing hereafter 10 happen, 1t Is shown by
the so-emn vote Of the entire Senate that
they contemplated no such course as that
embraced IN Breoks's bill ef excuses. As
to the proposed militia bill which the ex-
Senator from AdsuA apprehends will vio-
ate the Constitution, Let rs sec wbat the
Constitution actually says. Wequote from
the With article Of that instrument:
'BEc. l. The militia OF the State Of illinois ehall
consist Of all free, mile, able persons {ue-
gro g, tnulattoes and 1udians cxeepteD. residents
OF the State. between the ages pf eirhteen and
togty-fva ycarr, except sueh peredns II nov arc,
or hereafter rnay be, exempted by the laws Of the
United States ct this State, and Ehall be armed
equipped and trained Is the Gene1alAssembH may
provide by law.
''SEc. 2 No re1son or persons eonsdentiously
scrupulous Of bearing ar1ns shall be compelled to
DO miiis duty in tizue Of peac provided such per
sou or per1nus thAu pay m equivalent tor such
exemption
"'sEc. g. Company, battalion and reEin,ental OF.
dccrs. staff Officers cxcepted thal BE- elected By the
per.oue composing their tcreEal companies, bat,al-
ions and regiments,
''sEc. 4. Bigadier and Hajor Generals shall Be
elected By ths oaeez. Of shcir hsta.dez and di,t-
hions respectively
''sre. T. Al mitt9 odioers shall b. commits
stoned By the Gorc51or, and tnay hold their coro
missions for sneA time rs the Legiel.tu1e may
provide.
Sec The militia sh21l In al cases, except
treasoN7 felony, o0 breach Of the peace be p1ly3.
lske6 from a1ett during their attendance ut uus-
II and elections Of ofcern. and IN going to and
rkusnlsx from the as1ne."
HMr Brook had called public attention
TO the particular provisions, above quoted,
(which 1t is proposed to violate in the mil
! itia bill, it would then be competent for
any ons to join issue with him in fair argu-
ment. But he hss done no such thing.