State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-03-15

J The following are the Resolutions adop-
ted by the minority of the late State Con-
vention. Upon review of them, we find
nothing which seems to require comment,
further than has been already bestowed in
our remarks upon the State Convention.
We leave the reader to judge how well
they accord with the well known policy OF
the party, whose candidate for the Presi-
dency the minority have selected as their
own:
RESOLVED, That we deem the nomination
of William III. Harrison for President, by a
majority ofthe Antimasonic Convention, a
virtual disbanding of Antimasonry and
a bold attempt TO transfer the antimasonic
! into a wing party that we do not consider
ourselves bound to support that nomination,
but left free to make such selection from
the candidates now before the public as
we think can be supported by the demo-
cratic antimasons of Vermont, with the
best hope of sustaining the principles they
have always protested; and therefore
ResOtUed, That the meeting proceed TO
nominate candidates for President, Cover
nor, Lit. Governor, Treasurer and seven
| Electors of President.
ReSOlUed, That republican institutions of
government,are founded on the sovereignty,
equality and intelligence of the people /;
that to preserve such institutions in their
strength and purity, the right of suffrage,
freedom of opinion, freedom Of the press,
freedom of speech, and the supremacy of
the laws, and strict responsibility to public
opinion, are necessary.
RESOLVED, That whatever tends to ahridge
or subvert these rights, tends to weaken and
overthrow the government.
ReSotred, That all secret societies, from
the very nature of their constitution, are
at war with the fundamental principles of
republican institutions, inasmuch as they
shrink from public opinion, and are justly
obnoxious TO the charge of seeking the
accomplishment of selfish purposes by lille
climate means and at the expense of the
rights of others.
ReSotUcd, That freemasonry, from its
tent, the nature OF Its organization, the re-
qulrement of its obligations and the char
acter OF its influence, is the most dangerous
secret society in existence in this country,
and is fatally subversive of all the leading
principles of republican Government.
Resolved, That by establishing secret
and irresponsible authority in the midst Of
the community, by which its members are
bound by fearful oaths of allegiance, it is
directly subvcrsive of the sovereignty of
the people: by securing special privileges
AMI peculiar advantages to the initiates over
the rest of sacety, it undermines the equal
ity of the people; and by keeping its alleged
stores of knowledge and science from the
participation of the public, it refuses u pro-
mote the intelligence of the people.
RESOLVED, That by its secrecy it abridges
the right of free investigation and free dis
cussion and evades all responsibility to the
test of public scrutiny; by its oaths it as
sails the supremacy of the laws and the
purity of elections; and by its invisible in
tiuence exerted in all the relations of socie-
ETY., establishes a system of favoritism at
the expense of worth and merit
KeSOtUed, That ffeemasonry, by its or
ganization, principles, obligations and mys-
teal means of communication, establishes
a monopoly of the most odious and dan
gerous character in the community.
Resolved, That as antimasons we are
opposed TO the existence of any institution,
system of policy or measure, which tends
TO weaken or subyert the power and equal
ity of the people, or which tends to ag-
grandise part at the expense of the rest.
ReSolred, That all legislation which is
partial in its benefits or is not designed for
the equal protection and advantage of all is
contrary TO the first principles Of republic
canism and directly tends to the creation
Of an aristocratic influence III the common
wealth
Resolved, That all public measures so
far as they affect the business or pecuniary
interests of citizens, ought to aim at the
general distribution of wealth rather than
lis accumulation in the hands of few,
inasnuch us no true republicansm can
exist where the community is divided into
two classes, the very rich and the very poor,
and the latter are subject to the control of
the former.
Resolved, That we consider the stand
taken by the AntimasOns of Pennsylvania
in favor of the recharter of the United
States Bank, by the legislature of that
State, in view ofthe nature and power, and
the previous conduct of that institution, II
departure from the spirit and doctrines of
genuine antimasonry.
RcsOlred, That antinasonly looks TO the
maintenance Of the rights and privileges,
and the promotion Of the good of all alike,
dceming every individual citizen the equal
Of his neighbor, entitled to all the benefits
and all the immunitics which the govern
ment bestows upon lis citizens.
Resolved, That antimasonry revcrcnccs
the naked rights of humanity, and labors to
preserve them unimpaired, and will in no
case acquicsce in any Infringement of those
rights for the benefit of any man, or men,
or set Of men.
ReSOlced, That antimasonry and pure
democracy are identical in their principles,
their aims and their measures.
Resotred, 1 hat we will cordially unite
our efforts with the efforts of all those who