The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1863-07-15
The NaIlandigham Committee

INV fFeofit1iiNiS heeiii Ooill IUCC'
WAsHtNGToN CRY, june &c, 1863.
70 HIS Ercettency, sa -
The President of the United i.States:
The Undersigned having been appoint
ed committee, under the authority ol
the resolutions Of the State Convention
held at the city of Columbus, Ohio, OIL
the 1th instant, to communicate with you
on the subject of the arrest and bansh-
nicnt of Clement L, Yalllanaigham, most
respectly submit the following as the res
iolutions of that Convention bearing upon
the subject ofsdnis communication, aud
ask of your Exceileney their earnest con-
siderarion.a Aud they deem it proper to
state that the Convention was one in
which all parts of the State were repre-
scented, and one ofitho most respectable as
to numbers and character, one Of the
most earnest aud sincere in support of the
Constitution and the. Union, ever held in
that State: s,fs.,t,ts 81 a.5s 7r
s Rcsoired, l. Tlrat,th will of the peo-
pie is the ioilndation of all free govern
nient; that to give effect to this will free
Thought, free speech, and a free press are
absolutely Indispensable Without free
discussion. there is no Certainty of sound
Judgment; without sound judgment there
can be no wise government.
2. That it is an inherent and canstitu-
tional right Of the people to discuss all
measures of their Government, and TO APP
prove or disapprove, as to their best juAg-
ment seems right. That they have a like
ri4 ht to propose, and advocate that policy
which in their judgment is best, and to
argue and vote against whatever policy
seems TO them to violate the Constitution,
to impair tLeirI ifbertiessor to- he sdctri-
mental to their welfare.
{; B. That these aud other rights, euaran-
iced tothem by their constitutions, are
their rights in time of war;, as we'll as in
times of peace, aud of far more value and
necessity in war th5ne in peace for in
peace liberty security, and property are
seldom endangered iinwar, they arc ever
intperIi..lishi sgzaEsi saj - l7ihi sa =
81 A., That we now say to all whom it may
CONCERN, not, by wayiof threat, but calmly
and firmly, that. We will. not surrender
these rights, nor submiti to, their forcible
violation. We will obey the laws eur
selves, and adj others must obey the I'm. . r
II. That Ohio will adhere TO the Con !
stitntion and the Union as the best, it
may be the last, hope of popular freedoms.
and for all wrongs which may have been
committed, os,evils which may exist; will
seek redress, under the Constellation and
within the Union. by the peaceful but
powerful agency of fthe suffraees of u free
people. .rgrtf
Il. That welwili. earnestly supporteyery
constitutional measure tending to preserve
the Union of the States. No men have a
greater interest in its preservation than
we haye--none desire,i it more;. there are
none who will make greater sacrifices or
endure M acre: than we will to accomplish
that end. We are, as We ever have been,
the devoted friends of the Union, and we
have no sympathy with the enemies oi
either. si3i<1. =
10. That the arrest, imprisonment, pre-
tended trial. and actual punishment OF
Clement j.. Yallaptlingham, arcitizen OF
the State of Ohio, net belonging to the
land or naval forces Of tie United States.
nor 10 the militia in actual service, by al