Richmond Enquirer

MARION COUNTY.

According to adjournment, a large number of the Democratic citizens of Marion county met at the Court house on Monday, the 4th instant, at 2 o'clock, P. M.

The meeting was organised by the calling of John Clayton, Esq, to the Chair, and appointing C. A. Harper Secretary.

M. H. Johnson, Esq, from the Committee appointed at a previous meeting to draft resolutions, reported the following, which, the blank in the 6th resolution being filled by the meeting, were adopted as follows:

Whereas, the time is drawing near when the two great political parties which divide the country are to meet again in battle array; and, whereas, the campaign of 1840 has taught us, that if we would meet an ancient enemy with well grounded assurances of victory, we must be on the field at the earliest dawn, with all the necessary munitions of war, and in perfect readiness for the fight: therefore,

Resolved, That, in our opinion, the grand issue of the next Presidential campaign is, whether the legislation of Congress shall be confined to those powers expressly granted to the General Government by the States, or whether that legislation shall embrace any and every subject, and be carried to any and every extent which certain interests may believe, or affect to believe, will conduce to the general prosperity of the country.

Resolved, That the prosperity and permanency of the Union can only be reasonably hoped for, by adhering strictly to the State Rights' Republican doctrines of '98 and '99, preserving the just balance of powers between the Federal and State Governments, as well as preventing the encroachments of the several departments (of both State and Federal system,) upon each other.

Resolved, That we see in our Whig opponents a well organised, and, therefore, a powerful party, abounding in wealth, and lavish in its expenditures to effect their political ends; comprising, too, in their ranks a fair proportion of the talent of the country, and ready and determined, as we believe, to prostitute that talent from its only legitimate end, (the raising of the mass of mankind to a happier social condition,) to the advancement of the private interests and emoluments of a special and privileged class.

Resolved, That, powerful as may be our opponents, we have only to make free use of our legitimate and only proper arms, (truth and argument,) to put their proud hosts to flight.

Resolved, That for the purpose of better uniting and harmonizing our action, it is expedient to form Democratic associations in every county of the State and every State of the Union.

Resolved, That M H. Johnson, Z. Kidwell, Junior, Colonel John Prichard, and Colonel Richard Pitzer be a committee to draft a constitution for the Democracy of Marion county, and report as soon as may be to this meeting

The committee, under resolution 6th, then reported the following constitution, which was adopted, as follows:

CONSTITUTION.

1. This Association shall be known by the name and style of the Democratic Association of Marion county

2. Any citizen of Virginia belonging to the Democratic party, may become a member of this Association.

3 The members of this Association shall subscribe whatever they may severally think their pecuniary abilities and the crisis may demand.

4. The officers of this Association shall be a President, three Vice Presidents, a Recording Secretary, Corresponding Committee of three, and a Treasurer.

5. There shall be two Standing Committees to consist of nine members each; it shall be the duty of the first committee to prepare business for the Association, and of the second to procure members and subscriptions.

6. The officers and standing committees shall be elected by the Association by a viva voce vote, and a majority of the votes given shall be necessary to a choice

7 A majority of the members present, with one or more of the presiding officers, shall form a quorum for the transaction of business

8. The regular meeting of the Association shall take place on the first Tuesday night after the first Monday in each month, and either of the presiding officers may call a meeting at any time upon the application of five members.

9. The Treasurer, before paying any appropriation, must receive a certificate to that effect from the President, Vice President, or acting Chairman, and the Recording Secretary.

10. This Constitution shall, at all times, be subject to amendment by a majority of a quorum, and shall be signed by all the officers and members of the Association

11. This Association shall continue in existence till the second Tuesday of December, 1844.

The meeting then proceeded to elect the following officers under the Constitution:

President.—John Clayton, Esq.

Vice Presidents—Pinkney B. Barnett, Eugenius L. Boydston, Thomas Rheu.

Recording Secretary—James Snodgrass.

Corresponding Committee.—Charles A. Harper, Zedekiah Kidwell jr., John M King.

Treasurer—William K Russell.

Committee to prepare business for the Association.—M H Johnson, Col. John Prichard, Austin Merrill

Committee to Solicit Members and Subscriptions.—Wm. J T. Hawkins, Col. John Musgrave, Dr. N. B. Youst, John H. Martin, Job Springer, A Knotts, A. Hess, W. T Morgan, zum, George Ryan, James Jones, George Swisher, Dr Kerr, John E. Knotts, William Mundell, William No

On motion, it was

Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be forwarded to the Marion Pioneer, Wheeling Argus, Scion of Democracy, and Richmond Enquirer, for publication.

After several speeches, and in much harmony of feeling, the meeting adjourned to meet again at the Court house, on the 1st Saturday in January next.

JOHN CLAYTON, Chairman.

C. A. HARPER, Secretary.