Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-07-17

MONTPELIER, July 18th, 1945.
Messrs. Editors:-It has been stated in public
and in private-in the columns Of newspapers, and
through other channels, that the General Conven-
ton of Vermont was a proslavery body, and would
not open It's mouth for the dumb, because it neg
Iected, in tho press of business, during its late
meeting at DanvilIe, to pass resolutions cOndem-
natory of slavery, 1t is thought that the follow
ing extracts from the minutes of the Convention,
during several years past, might enlighten, if not
crafty, some of your readers on this interesting
subject. JNo. GRGDLEY.
Ertract from the Minutes Of a meeting held at
V@gmnes, Sept. 1888.
Whereas slavery is regarded by this Conyen-
ton as morally wrong, therefore
Resolved, That this Convention cannot, by any
opinion or act Of theirs, support or give encour-
agement to this evil.
Resolved That, as individuals, the members of
this Convention are ready to do any thing poti-
calIy and morally right, to accomplish the entire
removal of slavery from this country.
Resolved, That it is the wish and earnest re-
quest of this Convention, that our fellow citizens
of the slavehoding States should Immediately
make efforts to abolish slavery; and that, as indi-
vduas, we tender to them our prayers and our
efficient corporation in this benevolent work"
E1tract from the Minutes Of q meeting held al
Manchester, Sept. 1912
" Resolved, That in the Judgment of this Con
yontjon, the system of sayehodng practiced in
this country, is system Of unjustfable and enor-
nous oppression, directly contrary to the gospel
highly offensive to God, and portenlous Of conse'
lquences most terrible to all who are involved il
ill.,"
" Resolved, That, for ministers of the gospel
or other professed disciples Of the Saviour, to give
support to the institution ofslavery, by either hold
ing their fellow men in bondage for the purposes
of gain, or attempting to justify those who do so
is flagrantly inconsistent with christian duty"
g Resolved That this Convention, being boun(
Iby the law of love contained in the command o
our Lord, to do unto others as we would have
them do unto us, do beseech our fellow christians
in the slaveholding States, not only to abstain
wholly from all participation in this great iniquity
but to use all suitable means to bring it to a spec
dy and peaceful end"
" Resolved, That in fulfilling the great com
mand of Christ, to preach the gospel to every
creature, we are bound to seek the spiritual wei
fare of the people of color within our own bounds
and also TO remember in our prayers, and to com
mserate the condition Of the enslaved in GU
country, prevented by law from acquiring the a
bity to read for themselves the Word of God
free enjoyment of religious privileges, and to eX
tend to this long injured class Of our fellow men
throughout the world, the blessings Of salvation.
4 Ertract from the minutes Of a meeting held q
, Rutland, June 1914.
" Whereas it is understood that, in some cases
members congregational churches, and congre
gational ministers from Vermont emigrating t
e the south have become Shareholders; and Wherea
we regard the system of slavery as nconssten
with the principles of the gospel and all portic
patton in sustaining or countenancing it, ms sinful
therefore,
II Resolved, That it is the duty of churches an
n pastors, and of ministerial associations in Vel
mont, to watch in their respective spheres, over
persons in our connection who may be exposed t
temptation in regard to the matter of slavery, tina
by suitable instruction, warning or adm0nilion, d
Il may be neediuI, they may be enabled to kec
r themselves pure, and bear the testimony of cor
slstent christian example against slaveholdins
wherever they may be-"