1844-06-22-Great Jeffersonian Meeting
The Prophet v1n6 22 June 1844, pg 3
Great Jeffersonian Meeting
A large and enthusiastic meeting of the friends of "equalights," was held on Monday Evening, June 17th, to elect delegates to the Great Jeffersonian Convention to be held at Baltimore, July 13th, to nominate candidates for the Presidency and Vice Presidency.
Hon. Wm. Smith was called to the chair, and Wm. H. Miles, Esq. was chosen secretary.
Hon. Wm. Smith addressed the meeting in a strain of glowing eloquence, showing the necessity of the movement, and in a forcible manner, commented on the course pursued by the two great political parties, which was received by the Meeting with deafening applause. The Meeting then proceeded to the selection of Delegates, whereupon;�Wm. H. Miles Esq., and David Rogers Esq. were unanimously chosen as delegates to represent the Jeffersonian Democracy of the city of New York, in the Jeffersonian Convention:�Orson Hyde, Esq. was called upon, whereupon, he arose and addressed the meeting in such a strain of impassioned eloquence, that his voice was lost amid the deafening applause of the audience; he allowed to the present state of anarchy, and commented at some length onthe impolite movements of those who had usurped the name of Democracy, without adhering to its principles; he showed the importance of the "people" uprising in their majesty, and giving a significant rebuke to the leaders of the two great parties, through the Ballot box�Contrasted in living light the privilege our forefathers enjoyed, and those we enjoy�Spoke of the qualifications of the Peoples Candidate, Gen. Smith, and called upon all who wished to enjoy "Liberty of Speech and conscience," to give him their support.
A committee was then appointed to draft resolutions to be laid before the meeting:�Geo. T. Leach, Esq. then read the proceedings of the great Meeting held at Nauvoo of the Jeffersonian Democracy, May 17th, which elicited much applause. C. W. Wandell Esq., was then called for, whereupon he arose, and in his usual eloquent style, depicted the evils of a bad government, and showed in vivid colors the character of the great champion of equal rights and the friend of the oppressed, Gen. Smith�and sat down amid the deafening applause of his hearers.
The Committee then reported the following preamble and resolutions.
Whereas:�The free American citizens opposed to tyranny over mind or body, have nominated as a candidate for the Presidency, Gen. Joseph Smith of Nauvoo Ill., the friend of the oppressed, an independent man with American principles; and for the Vice Presidency, Sidney Rigdon Esq. of Pennsylvania;�Therefore Resolved, That we heartily concur in the nomination, and will use our utmost endeavors to secure its success.
Resolved, That we instruct our delegates to the Baltimore National Convention to vote for Gen. Jos. Smith for the Presidency, and Sidney Rigdon Esq. for the Vice Presidency.
Resolved, That all who are favorable to "Free Trade and Equal Rights," be requested to co-operate with us in supporting Gen. Joseph Smith, the Philanthropist, as the Jeffersonian Candidate for the Presidency, and Sidney Rigdon Esq. for the vice Presidency.
Resolved, That we concur with the views of the Illinois State Convention held at Nauvoo May 17th.
Resolved, That the proceedings of this Meeting be published in the New York "Prophet," the "Nauvoo Neighbor" and "Times & Seasons," the "Politician," and all other papers favorable to national reform.
A vote of thanks was then voted to the Chairman and Secretary.
The Meeting was adjourned with nine cheers for Gen. Smith and Sidney Rigdon.
- Wm. Smith, Chairman.
- Wm. H. Miles, Sec'y
