Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1863-04-07
Democratic Meeting at Watkins, Union
saa NIX e. ~ County.

l5s-4 kKA Ef.alS ,SErr f ia.y.
r Az q meeting Of the Democracy held at Wat
kinB, MllleIeek township, Union county, Ohio
on the 30lh:.of March, 1853, VIM. EIsom, ESQ.
Secretary, The object of the meeting was h
counsel together upon the lanientable condi-
tion of our distracted country, and to consider
the Imperative Importance of organizing a
Democratic society for the iurtherance and DIFF
fusion OF the true principles OF Democracy IN
this dark hour of cur country, After which,
Mr. X. w. Thompson was called and made A
thrilling and telling speech, showing the imbe-
cility, inconsistency, unc0nstitutlonality, and
4 Abplitionism Of Abraham, the Let on down 10
4 the present ttines And then WITH. Andreva
was called, ind Showed that the Democrats
party was the corner stone Of this Government.
After which. JEFF. Davis was called and admin.
istered ono Of the ugliest rebukeB BY c,ricature
upon the Abolition policy Of our PRESENT admin
istation ever heard. The Secretary then read
the following preamble and resolutions, which
were passed by unanimous vote:
| EW HEREAs, II 10 the privilege and the duty of
free people, living under Constitution.
which Is the supreme law Of the land, to boldly
ana iearieesiy assert their rights; to freely can
to re'afiTm the truths which underlie tbe Gov.
ernment, and upon which for three quarters of
O century have securely rested the liberty of the
people, and which we had fondly hoped WouId
last forever; and, y =
WHEREAS, There can be no liberty where
there Is no freedom of speech and freedom of
the press, and these being our ancient constitu.
uonaI rights, which have ever been epioysd in
every house, cottsge, and cabin In the eonfed-
era9y, ,we will not now suffer them to be striok-
en- down or drawn into controversy, and that We
will defend and exercise these rights in ali
places. In times OF war and In times of peace.
and should We leave no other legacy 10 onr
children, BY the blessing of God, we viii leave
them the inheritance of free principles, and
the exercise OF manly, Independent, constitu.
tional defense Of them
l.. Resofusd, That change in the administra.
i've policy OF the Federal Government ia i'm.
peratively demanded If the people would secure
tneir liberties, and restoration of their CON
sntntional rights, and a 70. establishment of the
Union upon the only basis upon which Il can
Pa,manensiy rest ior ages to come, viz: frater-
mai sentiment and feeling. 1t is fact we'll
known by all men whose opinions are to he re-
garded with the least degree of reanect. and
proved by the history of the last two vears
that the Union Of the Constitution can never be
restored by conquest and subiuRation. Il il
therefore OF the first Importance shat the neo-
pie should initiate OF once, some plan to restore
the Union and stop the bloody hand of war.
which is now desolating the fairest portion Of
our once happy land, and sreWing its bosom
with the bones OF onr murdered felloW-oiti-
zens.
2. Resolued, That the President, by his un-
lawful suspension OF the right to the great wri,
OF liberty-the habeas corpus--by his arrest ol
American citlzens and Transporting them tc
defiant and loathsome prisons, without charge
OF accusation, and subjecting them to the mos
inhuman treatment, endangering both life ant
health, and BY requiring of the persons thut
held as condition of their release, test oath,
both arbitrary and illegal, and which are alwayr
odious to freemen, has proved himself not onl,
usurper, but tyrant and unfit to preside ovel
q free people.
8. ResOiusd, That no free Government ca,
exiet among men without a separation Of tn,
Legislative, executive, and judicial functions d
Government into different departments +-eact
independent of the other, in its own sbhere
and In order to maintain this aeparatjou nm az.
act balance - slNpys necessary between these
departments. Therefore, in a well adjusted
Governments like that established by our Fed
eral Constitution, he who, holding one of these
departments IN hrs hands, seeks to disturb the
equipoise OF the syetem, by grasping the power
that belongs to the others, NAV be known nf
matter What are bisprofessions, to be an enem,
to liberty regulated by Law, and must certaiply
bc despot and tyrant at heart, aud will soon
strike down the liberty OF his country and erect
upon its ruins the throne of his despotism.
"a. Resotued, That the event OF war and in.
surrection was foreseen and provided for In The
i Constitution Of the United States; that uO
right OF the citizen was subject to restriction
except the right 70 the writ Of habeas corpuc
lin time OF War-,hat the power OF Congress- "a
restricl this right being expressed; proves beyond
doubt that there 10 no restriction on any other
constitutional right; that the powers exercised
under the Constitution, withithis exception, are
the came IN war and in peace Aid that the
present party in power acting unde. the claim a
enlarged var powefs, are but so many acts Of
Il tyranny and ueufpation- destructive alike Ia
thsrighis Of the citizens and of the State
i 5! Resotbed, That the Democracy here a.
semblsd recommend that the Democracy Of
Ohio organize publicly Democratic cnb, II
each township and ward; throughout the State
for the purpose OF discussiDg che principles o.
our GoveTnment and through this means bring
ing Immediately before the masees of lhs pe0
pie any new issue that may be sprung Ia thit
perilons time in American history, requiring, ir
, our opinion, public discussion and action there
on. Werwould suggsss5pr the purpose of car
rying said organization practically into effect
that the State, Central committee take intt
consideration the Importance of such an organ
ization, and recommend the organization O
such Democratic. clubs in each township ent
ward; accommodating the election of officers O
the various clubs apruaily, it being the Secre-
ltarS,s duty OF the tarions clubs, Immediately
after the election Of officers, to report the nam,
OF the President Of said club, with his postofic,
address, to some one Of thu State Central com
mittee that may be eelected by said committs,
for the purpose OF receiving and registering
their names.and posloffice addresa. Ii asp be
u ing the duty of said committeesto furnish eacl
. club with any document or Information tha
said committee may deem proper at any time
by each club deiraying the necessary expense
b. ResoIued, That inasmuch as the present Ad
Ininistfation, or party IN power, have ueurpe
the authority Of euppressng good, loyal Dem
, ocfstic papers, aud prohibiting their admittanc
into the army by military power, therefore, "
viii benceiorth cease. to patronizs Aholitio
= presses, OF their papeis. 1. q 1re5
: T. Resolptd, That the proceedings OF this NEE
/ ing be published In the Daily Gifo Statesa,a,
rsqaa sssttihk the 0fiiis, Weekly Staies,nan, Gil
cinnati Enquirer, Chicago Times, and .Uhio
I County Press, to copy. si,s ,it-a r8 nio. .oi i.
On motion, the meeting adjourned to me,
lagain on Saturday evening, April 18th, 1856
10 being the largest and most enthusiastic ev,
held in the place. .l.s{m aa ap
1h9- VIM. H. ELsoM, President.
w. ii, ANDREWS, Secretary.
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