Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1861-07-05
Convention of Democratic Editors of
New York


New York.
Pursuant to an informal call, num-
Der of Democratic editors of the State of
New York met at the Astor House, in
New York city, on the 9th ultimo, to
consult in regard to the present condi-
ton of public affairs. The convention,
it is stated, was spontaneous gathering,
produced more by the extraordinary con-
dition of public affairs than by any at
tempt or desire to create any organiza-
ton. The unanimity of feeling exhibited
the due appreciation of the Importance of
public action, and good citizens, ire
spective of party, were invited to co-ope-
rate for the re-establishment of peace.
After an organization and some prelmi-
nary business, committee on resolutions
reported the following, which were unani-
mously adopted. with single exception
the editor of the Hudson Gazette voting
"no:"
Resotred, That we earnestly desire the
perpetuation of the Union Of these States;
but, in the language of the lamented
Stephen A. Douglas, we believe that
"war is disunion," and that if the Union
be continued, it must be upon the prin-
ciple on which it was formed viz: the
voluntary consent of its members; that
any other mode is subyersivc of the prin.
ciples of self-government; and hence, in
order to restore this Union, the first re-
quisite is Peace-to the end that al
questions may be settled, not despotieal
ly, by the sword, but voluntarily, by the
free consent of the American people.
Rcsolred, That the present alarming
and deplorable condition of our country
has arisen mainly from the exercise o
unconstitutional powers by the presen
chief magistrate, who has not hesitatet
to inauguratc war, to enlist larg,
standing army, to increase the navy, t,
seize private papers, to deny citizens tn,
right to bear arms and to suspend tn
writ of habeas corpus, all of which act
are in direct violation of article /, sec
tons 8 and 8, of the Constitution of tn
United States, and of the amendment
thereto, art. and art. a.
ReSotred, That the enormous expens
es of the present war will seriously bur
den our people; that standing army il
dangerous to the safety of the citizen
that its expense is drawn from the toll o.
tho agricultural and working classes
that the Morrill, tariff is simply part OF
the machinery of monarchy to enrich the
few at the expense of the many, and that
we enter our firm and earnest protest
against all of these measures as opposed
to the principles of true democracy, and
destructive to the liberties and material
interests of the people Of the northern
States.
Resolred, That the republican party
has proved that all its pretensions Of de-
votion to freedom, free speech and FIRE,
discussion" we're simply cloaks to con
ceal their real enmity to liberty and thu
constitutional guarantees of citizens, ant
that the attempt to muzzle the democrat
ic press by mobs and terrorism, to pre-
vent citizens from expressing their homes
opinions, calls for and deserves the stern
est condemnation of every true friend o
law, order, liberty and the inalenabl,
rights of man.
ResYteed, That in view of the man,
manifest violations of the Fundamental
principles of the constitution, it become
the duty of the democratic press, and o
all friends aud advocates of free institu
tons, to unite in resisting these alarming
strides toward a despotic, consolidate'
system Of government; and that it be es
pccially suggested to all friends Of peac
and constitutional liberty, irrespective o
party, to agree upon joint and mutua
basis for action at the present crisis.
After the passage of the resolutions
the editors adjourned to meet at the cal
Of the chairman of the association of de
mocratic editors Of the State, some tim,
during the summer.