Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-11-25
For The Fireman..
Vermont National Reform Convention.
MoNTPELIER, Oct. 2l,

MONTPELIER, Oct I'll lo4I
The Convention assembled pursuant to public ad-
vertisement, at 10 o'clock, A. M. The Union Hall
being otherwise pre-engaged, they Immediately con-
vened at the Free Church. when J. Seaver, Of Will
Jamestown, called to order and officers appointed
as follows; Andrew Burnham, of Wllliamstown, Pres
ident pro tem VIM. Hutchinson, of Randolph, Secre-
tary pro tenn. B. W. Dyer and L. II. Spear, commit
tee to prepare constitution for the Society. con-
sttution was presented, with several resolutions
Adjourned three fourths of an hour.
AFrERNoON.-The Convention proceeded to bust
ness by considering the proprety of adopting State
Constitution. Many opposed The idea therefore, after
remarks it believed advisable mol to receive it, but
appoint all necessary officers, and leave the society
untramnelled They then appointed Andrew Burn
ham President; Wright Smith, of Randolph, w. c.
Getting, Of Pittsford, Capen Leonard, of Chuenden,
Milton Brown, of Worcester, Dr. F. W. Adams, of
Montpelier Jonathan Lawrence, of Passumpsic, Vice
Presidents.
VIM. Hutchinson, Recording Secretary. L. II.
Spear, Recording Secretary.
A. ]. Dufur, of Williamstown, A. ]. Spear, of Brain
tree, - Shipley, of Waterbury, W. C. Getting, of
Pittsord Joseph Parker of Chittenden, Central Com
mitee.
Much controversy occurred upon the point of pledg
ing candidates, in writing. The discussion continued
for about two hours, when the subject was for the time
dismissed. Adjourned.
EvENING--The evening was chiefly occupied by ].
Spear and others, in discussing the following reso-
lutons:
Resolved That, as free aud Independent people,
who believe that all men have natural and Inherent
right to the sol and inasmuch as we are governed by
Legislative eacmentS, It is right and duty to petit
ton our legislature to pass act by which sufficient
amount Of real estate for the comfortable support of
ones self and dependents shall be exempt fIom mort
cages, future debts, and all other liabilities.
Resotued, That the public lands are the common
property Of the people: therefore, by right should be
held and appropriated for their common use and bene
| fit, and for no other use or purpose whatever.
Whereas, there are thousands of our counuymen in
this ntante republic who can say did Christ "'The
foxes have hoes the birds of the air have nests but
we wives and children shave not where to Law oul
heads" which the law will allow us to call our own,
ReSoUed Therefore, that it is the duty of government
10 secure to its members an inahenable home, that
each may worship under his vine be ruler of his
CASTLE and lord Of the soil from which he procures
his sustenance.
Whereas our public domain contains twenty hundred
millions of acres, which would give tho acres to eacI
member of the human family upon the entire globe
which, under the present improved system of agricu
turc, would be more than sufficient to supply all ne
cessary wants -
ResOLued, therefore, that it is our duty, as people,
nation anda government, to acknowledge them free
in limited quantities, to actual settlers and invite
earths oppressed, starving sons to come, cultivate
them, and enjoy Independence and Freedom.
Resolved That freedom of the soil is essential t.
the freedom of man for he who stands between u
and the soil, is efectually our master as though HI
were to hold property in U.S. the right to life, liberty
and spot of earth sufficient to sustain and enjoy then
clearly derived from the Creator and are therefor
inalienable: the right to set price on the one,
equally the right to set price upon both To releas
the master from the obligation to care and provide 70
the slave, and turn the latter, ard those dependent
e him, out homeless, and leave him still dependent O
the many caprice of the master, for the right to Ia
Dor, would but be to mock him with a countrcit-th
mere resemblance of Liberty while the reaty is witt
s held.
J. Notwithstanding the afternoon collision, as fnt
o ultlmatun, the Convention adopted the sentiments
# the National Reform Pledge.
q They then adjourned to meet at Wiamstown c
= the first Tuesday in June, at 10 o'clock, A. NJ.
&c ANDREW BURNHAM, Pes.
l. VIM HUTCHINSON, Secretary.