State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-04-12
w. II. HARRISON
From the Mountain Democrat.
ANTI-SLANERY MEETING

Pursuant 10 notlce, the cltlZenS OF
Windham county to the number of70 or
80, assembled at the Court House, New
fame, on the 24th instant for the purpose of
forming an Anti-Slavery Society. After II
few brief statements Of the object of the
meeting from II. Goodale, Esq. the Hon.
Judge Phelps was appointed chairman and
o. l.. Shatter, Secretary pro TEN.
After prayer by the Rev. Mr. Bruce, the
Rev. Mr. Bcckley, II. Goodale, and theRev.
MrBruce were appointed as a committee TO
draft Constitution. Deac. G. Wheaton,
Rev. N. Ames, and p. Allen were appoint
ed committee to nominate otficers-Judge
Phelps, Rev. N. Ames, and Messrs. Allen,
Shaiter and Robbins a committee to draft
resolutions.
Convention adjourned till two o'clock.
9 o'clock.
The Convention met pursuant TO ADJOURN
mcnt, at the time and place appointed
Before proceeding to business the Conven-
ton listened to an able and interesting adj
dress OH the subject of Slavery by the Rev.
Guy Beckley. After the address the com
nittee appointed to draft Constitution,
made their Report, and with a single a.
mendment, the articles as reported were
adopted by the Convention.
CONSTITUTIONS.
Art. /. This Society shall be called the
Windham County Anti-Slavery Society,
aud shall be auxiliary to the VT Anti
Slavery Society.
Art. 2. The fundamental principle OF
this society is, that the holding Of human be-
ings as property, is a .fagrant sin against
God, and the rights Of humanity, and ought
therefore TO be Immediately and Jorerer a.
bandOned.
Art. 3. The objects OF this Society are
to secure the immediate and entire emancl-
patton of the enslavcd from the apprehen-
sion of Savery,-of the free blacks from
the oppression fpublic sentiment, and the
elevation of both to the enjoyment OF equal
intellectual, civil and religious rights and
privileges. And this Society will endeavor
TO effect these objects, by the use of such
christian means, as are suited TO correct
prevailing and wicked prejudlces, and TO
change the public sentiment OF the nation
in regard to the rights of the enslaved-but
will never encourage resort to violence
in vindcation of those rights.
The remaining articles relate to the e.
lection of officers, &c.
The committee of nomination reported Il
list of officers which was accepted, as fol-
lows
Hon. CHARLES PHELPS, President.
R. Rev. G n. Aars, yiee Presidents.
Rev. q. BECKLEY,)
OIL. SHAFrER, Rec. Secretary.
J. Horror, NJ. ID. Cor. Secretary.
p. ALLEN, Treasurer.
Rev. f. BRUCE,
VIM. r. SHAFrER, Esq. Erecutire
J. Brown, Esq. Committee.
w. FROST, Esq.
n. CHENEY, Esq.
The committee of resolutions reported
the following resolutions which after some
debate, were unanimously adopted by the
Convention.
|. Resolved, That no citizen of the Uni
ted States, can without dlsregardlng the
law of God and his own duty, aid or assist
in unfolding the system of human bondage
at present maintained in some OF the states
of the federal government.
9. Resolved, That the command commu-
nicated from heaven more than three thou
sand years ago by the mouth OF the prophet
"and he that stealeth man and selleth himi
or if he he found in his hand he shall bs
put to DEATH" is as cylns:vc OF quit ana Sill
| now as il was then.
3. Resolved, That should il he conceded
that the staple of the cane, cotton, ana rice
plantations cannot he sustained IN then
profits without the aid Of Systematically
oppressiye slave laws, a regard for national
honor and the immutahlc principles ol
justice" DI", require that those plantations, and
nll other employments should be regulated
by the rules of right and wrong applied &c
human conduct; and neither North oil
South, East or West, can, under the plea o.
necessity, degrade men into beasts, without
prostratng the moral law and government
of the Creator of heaven and earth.
4, Resolved, That freedom and bondage
under the same government are incompat
ible-tllat the relations of master and slave
under the system Of American Slavery