But it is not easy to see how it can be denied that the dangers against which it was intended to guard were also real.

It was certain that itinerant demagogues were visiting districts with which they had no connection, for the sole purpose of stirring up political agitation.

It was clear that such meetings as they convened, where those assembled could only be counted by tens of thousands, were too large for deliberation, and were only meant for intimidation; and equally clear that, though the existing laws may have armed the magistrate with authority to disperse such meetings, they did not furnish him with the means of doing so without at least the risk of bloodshed (for such a risk must be involved in the act of putting soldiers in motion), and still less did they invest him with the desirable power of preventing such meetings.

It was necessary, therefore, to go back to the original principles and objects of every constitution, the tranquillity, safety, and welfare of the nation at large.

And it does not appear that this bill went beyond what was necessary for that object.