Meeting Of Colored Citizens: For The Signal Of Liberty

At a public meeting oí the Colorea citizens of Detroit, pursuant to held at the Methodist Church in this City, on the 19th instant, Thos. Williswasappointed Chairman, and W m. Douglass, Secretary. The meeting having been opened by prayer by the Rev. Mr. Johnson, Mr. Tucker rose, and in a clear and eloquent manner stated that the object of the meeting was to unite the Colored citizens in a respectful appeal to the Legislature for an extensión of the Elective Franchise to them, under such resti'ictions as might be bejusttothe Petitioners and safe to the State, and on his motion, a Committee of three was appointed to draft resolutions expressive of the wishes of the meeting on this interesting subject. The Committee consisting of Geo. W. Tucker, Wm. Douglass and Obadiah Wood, having retiredfor a short time,returned and reported the following resolutions, which, after a warm and animated discussion were unanimously adopted: Resolved, That as citizens of the United States we insist that it is a fundamental principie of the Federal and State Governments, that the people, and the whele people, are the fountain of power, and that every native born citizen possesses an inherent rightto particípate in the control of that Government, which he is taxed to maintain, and that the very foundation of that Republic rests upon the principie, "the taxation and representation are, and ought to be one and inseparable."Resolved, That as good citizens, we have ever cheerfully contributed our proportion to the maintenance of the .Government under which we live, that we are now, and shall ever be ready to defend to the utmost of our means that Government from dangers without and dissensions within; that it is due to us and our decendants that we should share in the privileges of a free Government while we are compelled to contribute to its support and defence. Resolved, That while we duly appreciate the liberality exhibited by the fïamers of our Constitution, in extending the elective franchise to all free white male citizens who haVe resided in Michigan eix months anterior to its adoption, yet we caniiot understand on what principie free Colofed citizens were excluded from its provisionsj nor the modeofreasoning by which the conclusión was arrived at, that amere accidental difference in color was sufficient to deprive us of all participation in the making of the laws under which we live, and the selection of those who are to execute thëm. Resolved, That realizing as we do our entire capability to exei'tííse with propriety and judgment that blessed privilege of free men, the Elective Franchise, we will calmly but earnöstly ask of the Legislature of the State that we may be placed on a footing of equality with our white fellow citizens, and that in the 1 nnce of that sacrcd dut}r, we will show to them and the world the truth of that beautiful maximj that èo fat ae ability for sel f government is concern ed,"atitnen areindced equal."Kesolved, That a Committee of three be appointed to draft a memorial to the Legislature, praying thdt the Constitution may be so ainended as that free Colored persons may be perrnitted to vote with such qualifications and under sucli rcstrictions may be just towards them and safe for the State, and that we will unite as one man in presenting our request and demanding our right.Resolved, ThatGeo. W. Tucker,Wm. Douglass and Thomas Willis be such Commiítee, and that they be requested to prepare and circuíate the memorial for signature at as early a moment as possible. Resolved, That tlie proceedings of this meeting be püblished in the Signal of Liberty and othef papers.