The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1863-07-16


mand, that all others shall do. They owe
the same obedience to the Constitution and
laws that the Democrats owe. They have
the same interest to maintain free Govern.
ment to protect liberty, to be secure in
their houses persons and property. that
democrats have. Tt is neither their inte-
rest nor ours, that despotism or anarchy
should prevail and If they wish to avoid
both, let them see to it in time that they
give no occasion for either. We wi do
ur duty, but let them remember to do
theirs.
In view Of the circumstances that have
brought US together, we hereby re-
solve
RESOLUTIONS.
l. That the will of the people is the foun-
dalton ofall free government; that to give
effect to this will, free thought, free speech,
and free press are absolutely indispensa.
bic Without free discussion there is no
certainty Of sound Judgement; without
sound judgement there can no wise govern
ment.
2. That it is an inherent and constitutions
al right Of the people to discuss all ,ceas-
nres OF the Government. and, to approve or
disapprove TO their best judgsmen. SCENE
right. That they have right to propose
and advocate that policy which in their
judgement is best, and to argue and vote
against whatever policy seems to them to vi.
olate the Constitution, to impair their liber.
Ties, or to be detrimental to their wei.
fare.
3 These and all other rights guaranteed
to them by their constitutions. are their
rights in time Of war, as well as in peace.
and of far more value and necessity in war
than in peace. For in peace, liberty. secu-
rity and property are seldom endangered !;
IN war they are ever in peril.
f. That we now say to all whom il NAV
concern, not by way of threats, but calmly,
and firmly. that we will not surrender these
rights, nor submit to their forcible violation.
We will obey the laws ourselves, and all
others must obey them.
s. That there Is manifest difference he.
tween the administration of the govern.
ment and the Government itself. The gov
eminent consists of the civil and poltica,
institutions created by the Constitution and
to it the people owe allegiance. The admin
istratlon are but the agents of the people,
subject to their approval or condemnation,
according to the merits or dement's of their
acts.
D. That we are opposed to the prosecution
OF the war for the purpose of carrying out
the emancipation proclamation of the Presi-
dent of the United States, and ifthe FEEDER
al administration expect united North to
attend its efforts to suppress rebellion, it
must not only come back to the object OF
the war as act 10th in the Crittenden resp
luton, adopted by the House of Representa-
tives IN July, 1851. but IL must in it's deal
ings with the people of the States, infringe
upon 20 one single right guaranteed to the
people by either the State or Federal consti-
tutions
z. That we declare our determined oppo-
sition to system Of emancipation by the
States upon compensation to be made out
of the treasury of the United States, as bur.
densome upon the people, unjust in its very
nature, and wholly without warrant of the
Constitution.
8. That we declare that the power which
has recently been assumed by the President
of the United States, whereby. under the
guise of military necessity he has proclaim.
ed and extsnded---or asserts the right to
proclaim and extend martial law over the
States where war does not exist, and has
suspended the writ of habeas corpus, il un.
warranted by the Constitution, and it's ten
dency ,s to subordinate civil to military an
thority, and subvert our system of free gov
eminent.
o. That We deem 1t proper further to de-
clare that We would hail with pleasure and
delight any manifestation OF desire on the
part of the seceeded States to return to
their allegiance to the government of tn
Union, and IN such event We would crdi.
ally cooperate with them in the restoration
of peaca, and the procurement Of their in
terests and rights.
10. That the soldiers composing our Ar
mics merit the warmest thanks of the nation
Their country called and nobly did they re.
spond. Living, they shall know nations
gratitude; wounded. nations care and
dying, they shall live in our memories, and
monuments shall be raised to teach poster.
ity to honor the patriots and heroes who of.
fered their lives at their country's altar.--
Their widows and orphans shall be adopted
by the nation. to be watched over and cared
for as objects truly worthy nations guar.
IL. That we will adhere to the Constitu.
ton and the Union as the best-it may be
the last hope of popular freedom, and for
all wrongs which may have been committed
or evils which may exist, will seek redress
under the Constitution and within the Un-
ion, by the peacable agency of the suffrs-
ges ola free people.
IL, That we hail with pleasure and hope
the manifestation Of conservative senti.
ment among the people of the Northern
States in their elections, and regard them as
the earnest ofa good purpose upon their
part to cooperate with all loyal citisens in