Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-05-04
THE
TIONS.
Adopted al a Large Meeting Held
April 80.

Iut pCOplC Va AulhCIlOlu OOUul1
in convention assembled, Svail them
selves of the liberty yet in their hands
of declaring and making known tC
their fellow-citizens of other counties
their protest against and condemna'
ton ofthe bold, reckless and ruinoul
legislation of the general assembly OIL
the state. We would that our utter.
ances could reach every leg cabin
within our borders, that on this
subject our words could be craven in
rock and inlaid with lead, SO that
generations to come might know our
honest protest against their enslave-
ment.
No free people on the earth, so far
as our information reaches, ever lost
their liberties, but as they were cheat
ed out o fthem by designing politicians.
Are we not travelling to the same
destiny that has overwhelmed and
~obliterated all republics. Ours is
not the capricious squalling of an
imbecile who does not know whether
it is oppressed or not. We know our
grievances aud can see the blight and
ruin contemplated in the future. We
here, on our own soil declare that we
will not tamely place III necks under
the yoke, so long as we have the lib
erty of remOnstrance or the power Of
resistance. We believe that resistance
to oppression, resistance to corrupt
and bought up legislation resistance
steady, manly, incessant and determ-
ined, resistance to every attempt to
degrade US and e~nslave our prosper
ity is but one item in the catalogue
of q freeman's duties. A majority
of the legislature have been strangely
Influenced, so as to ignore the plat
form of principles put forth Tor their
guidance, and to disregard the
pledges made while candidates for
position. In all the explanations
mado land we try to look charitably
on the public acts of the lesislAtors)
we cannot dismiss our convictions
that impurity and corruption con-
ceived and brought forth this hybrid
bantling.
We believe our legislature has been
tempered with, and unfortunately the
material was on hand ready aud easily
moulded by a cunning craftsman to
purchase infamy and ease for self, and
bondage for his fellow. citizens.
We have yet to learn chat a corrupt
body of men can by its ipse dixit con-
sign their betrayed creators TO endless.
and r%uinOus taxation, and from which
there is no redress.
1t is with alarm that we see the
great, growing and grasping power OF
concentrated and unscrupulously
welded capital sapping and undermi.
ming the very foundation of civil liber
ty. This cloud now dark and over.
spreading our political horizon, points
Enthusiastically to serfdom and 10 the
reign of a monied power and a priv.
class. We believe in the honesty
and omnipotence Of the people, and
in all times Of danger they will rally
around their constitution and protect
their own liberties. All that is now
left is our manhood and we will assert
it:
Resolved, That fidelity to a plat.
form of principles and to pledges
made to the constituency by a repre-
sentative while a candidate are sacred.
and the only guarantee the elector has
that his wishes will be carried into
legislation.
Resolved, That making coupons re
ceivable in the payment Of taxes was
condemned in our late constitutional
convention; that it is unjust, degrad-
andis no expression of the will of
the people.
Resolved, That the plan adopted BY
the legislature to mortgage our homes
for 80 years is without warrant of au.
is insultingly cruel and too
yrieyous and degrading to be borne,
aud that its enforcement will be re-.
listed by all lawful measures within
our power.
Resolved, That while one spark of
manhood or patriotism remains we
will boldly express our unmitigated
Indignation at this attempt to euslave
rs, and our hatred and uImixed con.
.empt for the persons who bartered
away our homes and made merchan.
lise Of our freedom.
Resolved, That we extend the hand
kindness ~unafectedly to every
member Of the legislature who record
I'd his vote againstthis inIquity. N
Resolved, That we call on the peo.
pie of the state throughout our Dor
ders, all who are opposed to the 80
years mortgage, to come to the front
and make their voices heard in rebuke
Of this enOrmity.
Resolved, That the press through.
put the state be requested to publish
resolutions and preambles.
About three letters a week noss