Journal of the Constitutional Convention, of the State of Illinois: Convened at Springfield, December 13, 1869State Journal Printing Office, 1870 - 1022 pages |
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Common terms and phrases
Abbott affirmative Allen of Alexander Allen of Crawford Anderson Anthony Archer Assembly Bayne Benjamin bill Bowman Bromwell Browning Buxton Cameron Canal Cary Church clerk Cody committee Constitution Convention adopt section Convention agree Convention concur Convention refused Cook county Coolbaugh corporation county seat Court Craig Cummings decided demanded by five Dement district Eldridge elected Ellis five members following resolution Forman Fuller Gamble Goodell Goodhue Haines of Cook Haines of Lake Hankins Hart Harwood Hayes Hildrup Illinois Illinois Central Railroad insert introduced the following Larceny McCoy McDowell Medill Merriam Messrs Moore moved to amend moved to lay nays being demanded Neece negative o'clock offered the following Parker Perley Pierce Poage railroad referred Resolved Ross Scholfield Sedgwick Sherrell Snyder Springer Sutherland taxes thereof Tincher tion township Truesdale Tubbs Turner Underwood Vandeventer voting Wagner Washburn Wendling Wheaton Whole words yeas and nays
Popular passages
Page 450 - But as it is easy to foresee that from different causes and from different quarters much pains will be taken, many artifices employed, to weaken in your minds the conviction of this truth, as this is the point in your political fortress against which the batteries of internal and external enemies will be most constantly and actively (though often covertly and insidiously) directed, it is of infinite moment that you should properly estimate the immense value of your national union to your collective...
Page 452 - The basis of our political systems is the right of the people to make and to alter their constitutions of government. But the constitution which at any time exists till changed by an explicit and authentic act of the whole people is sacredly obligatory upon all.
Page 454 - If, in the opinion of the people, the distribution or modification of the constitutional powers be in any particular wrong, let it be corrected by an amendment in the way which the Constitution designates. But let there be no change by usurpation; for though this, in one instance, may be the instrument of good, it is the customary weapon by which free governments are destroyed.
Page 453 - From their natural tendency it is certain there will always be enough of that spirit for every salutary purpose; and there being constant danger of excess, the effort ought to be by force of public opinion to mitigate and assuage it. A fire not to be quenched, it demands a uniform vigilance to prevent its bursting into a flame, lest, instead of warming, it should consume.
Page 456 - It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world, so far, I mean, as we are now at liberty to do it, for let me not be understood as capable of patronizing infidelity to existing engagements. I hold the maxim no less applicable to public than to private affairs, that honesty is always the best policy.
Page 450 - ... inclination incompatible with the sentiment of duty or propriety ; and am persuaded, whatever partiality may be retained for my services, that, in the present circumstances of our country, you will not disapprove my determination to retire. " The impressions with which I first undertook the arduous trust were explained on the proper occasion. In the discharge of this trust, I will only say, that I have with good intentions contributed toward the organization and administration of the government,...
Page 452 - However combinations or associations of the above description may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely, in the course of time and things, to become potent engines by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion.
Page 450 - ... opportunities I have thence enjoyed of manifesting my inviolable attachment, by services faithful and persevering, though in usefulness unequal to my zeal. If benefits have resulted to our country from these services, let it always be remembered to your praise, and as an instructive example in our annals, that under circumstances in which the passions, agitated in every direction, were liable to mislead, amidst appearances sometimes dubious, vicissitudes of fortune often discouraging...
Page 453 - In all the changes to which you may be invited, remember that time and habit are at least as necessary to fix the true character of governments as of other human institutions ; that experience is the surest standard by which to test the real tendency of the existing constitution of a country; that facility in changes, upon the credit of mere hypothesis and opinion, exposes to perpetual change, from the endless variety of hypothesis and opinion...
Page 454 - Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of Men and Citizens. The mere Politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and cherish them.