Prominent among these guarantees are the following . . . The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed..."

...DECLARATION:

   The Democracy of Illinois, in mast Convention assembled, In view of the alarming encroachments on popular and individual rights by the federal and State Administrations, do declare the the Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the land, as well in time of war as in time of peace. We will obey it on all occasions, and in that obedience we will exercise all the privilege, and claim all the immunities guaranteed by that Instrument. Prominent among these guarantees are the following:

   "Congress shall make no law * * * * abridging the freedom of speech or of the press; or the people peaceably to assemble and petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

   "* * The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.

   "The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated; and no warrant shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized....

...Which guarantees have each been reputedly violated by the federal administration, in the exercise of arbitrary power without sanction of law, but in direct conflict therewith.

   2. The Federal Administration has, through its agents and subordinate officers, issued and enforced orders "abridging freedom of speech;" and has assumed to limit its exercise to those only who would slavishly laud its policy and indorse its measures.

   3. It has sought to restrain "freedom of the press," by making use of the military power to suppress the publication of public journals in loyal States, for the only offense of differing from the Administration on measures of public policy, of vital interest to every citizen.

   4. It has, with indifference and without rebuke, seen the military power attempt to deny the people of loyal States the right "peaceably to assemble and petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

   5. It has permitted the issuance and enforcement of military orders preventing the people of the loyal States from "keeping and bearing arms."....

[The Daily Ohio Statesman, June 21, 1863. Vol. X. No. 9. Pg. 1 - Excerpted from the Article; "Great Democratic Mass Convention in Illinois.]