The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-03-02

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Seymour Egglestom, E.oa,,,;.u
Laurence Brainerd '"''N''i
Daniel Bates Orleans
Josiah Morse Caledonia
d 6rssn Sz;nnsr Washington
o. S. Murray, Rutland
For Corresponding Secretary,
E. D. BARBER.
For Treasurer, J. F. HASKELL.
For Audtor, CHAUNcEY Cook
For Rec Secretary, M. D. GORDON.
On motion:
Resozred, that Committee of one from each
County be appointed to make inquiry, and report
the number of Anti-SIavery Societies, Male and
Female, in their several Counties-the number Of
members of each, the name of their President,
Secretary, and Treasurer, to be published in the
next Annual Report, and the following individ-
uals were appointed that Committee:
Uriah Edgerton, Bennington County; Oscar l..
Shatter, Windham Co.; J. Holcomb, Rutland /;
Horace Onion, Windsor; D. M. Camp, Orleans
ton James MITCHELL Chtenden E. w. Gran
ger, Orange B. F. Haskell, Addison James
Milligan, Caledonia; Francis Wilder, Lamoille.
On motion:
Resolued, That it is the duty of Abolitioniss,
so far as they are able, to sustain the periodicals
devoted to their cause, and in particular manner
the Voice of Freedom.
The Business Committee made the following
report on "Pozitica1 Action:"
ReSored, That as Abotionsts we carefully a.
void all alliance with either of the political parties
Of the day; but in the exercise of the elective
franchise, will support those candidates, with
out regard to party distinctions, who will promote
the cause of immediate emanci patton; and if no
such candidates are nominated by either of the
political parties, we will give our votes to good
men not on either of the regular tickets.
Whereas the Hon. Henry Clay, in his recent
speech in the United States Senate, has charac-
terised the "ura abolitionists" of the country,
as persons "who are resolved to persevere IN
the pursuit of their object at all hazards, and
without regard TO any consequences, however
calamitous they may be-; and that with them
the rights of property are nothing-the defcien-
cy of the powers of the General Government
is nohing-civil war, the dissolution of the
Union, and the overthrow of government in
which are concentrated the proudest hopes of
the civil LIKED world are nothing;' and whereas
we consider ourselves as ultra" as any aboli
tionists in the United States therefore
ReSolred, That the foregoing extract contains
allegations which are 'contradicted by all our dec
laratlons, and all our measures as body, or as
individuals, and are gross and Infamous ISLANDERS
upon our character which we cast back with in
dignation upon the senatorial libeler.
Resolued, That if, in the language of Mr. Clay
it is the first duty of Congress, in its legislation
over the District of Columbia, to make the District
available, comfortable and convenient as a seat
of government of the whole Union" still we deny
that any spot can be an available, comfortable or
convenient" place for the seat of government
for free Republic, founded on the "inalienable
rights" of men, where the representatives Of
freemen meet to legislate in favor of human lber-
ty within the bounds of which about one-sixth of
the population are slaves, and where slave-auc-
tons, prisons, slave-drivers and slave-ships
exhibit it to the scorn and reproach of civilized
nations as the greatest slave market in Chrsten-
dom.
ReSolUed, That the clause of the Constitution
which provides that Congress shall exercise ex-
elusive legislation in all cases whatsoever, over
such district as should become by cession of par
ucular States and the acceptance of Congress the
seat Of Government of the United States" and
also over "all places" purchased by Congress "for
the erection OF forts, magazines, arsenas, dock
yards, and other needful buildings" was designed
to give Congress the control over "such district
and such "places," for the benefit of the people of
the United States, and not for the benefit of the
District or other aces, except far as their bene
fit is invovedand necessary to the general advan-
tage; and that Congress is, therefore, bound to
consult the advantage and wishes of the majority
of the people of the United States, in its legisla-
ton over the District instead of the advantage
or wishes of the people of the District of par
ticular States.
Resolped That the doctrine, that for Congress
to abolish slavery in the District of Columbia
WOuI1 ho breach IF crood faith a Uirninia md
Maryland, "implied" in the cessions of those
States is absurd, inasmuch as Congress cannot
be bound by implication, when there is no power
TO bind by direct restriction, and inasmuch as the
ADMISSION Of such principle would make the
legislation of Congress-, over the District, so far
as the wants OF the District are concerned depend