Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1848-07-20
Report on Slavery,

adopted By the Vermont annual Conference
July 10Th, ls48, and ordered to be published
in the Christian Messenger and Green Noun
tain Freeman.
The committee on Slavery would submit for
the consideration and action of the Conference
the following preamble and resolutions =
Whereas Slavery still exists, and is evidently
increasing in these United States; and whereas,
the friends Of this corrupt and abominable sys-
TEN, are uniting their skill, employing their en-
ergies, and exhibiting their bravado for the sup
port and extension of this great and crying evil
and, whereas, its enemies desire its overthrow,
and utter destruction, and feel in duty bound to do
all they can for the relief, elevation, and saliva
ton of the enslaved, and to prevent the intro
ducton of the burning curse into territory now
free Therefore,
Resolved L., That the millions of persons now
claimed, treated, bartered, bought and sold as
goods and chattels, within the bounds of this Re-
public, are human beings; possess, not only the
human form, but are UGitable human beings,
and as such are heirs of immortality.
ReSozUcd, g, That the slaves of this nation,
by virtue of their humanity are men, women,
and children and, therefore, they are not, never
were, and never can be, the property of other
human beings. God has said " Ali souls are
mne," and His right to all human beings as
their one, and only proprietor, none but slave
holders and their apologlss ever questioned.
ResOlUed, g., That Liberty is the gift of the
God of nature, to all persons possessing human
nature. Hence the right and privilege to enjoy
this gift, and realize all its benefits without in.
terruption or molestation by any man, can never
be forfeited, but by crime.
f RESOLVED, A., That color is not crime, or evil
dence of crime, in those wio wear it therefore
in the sight of God, and in the estimation of al
honest and intelligent men, it is as great an out
rage upon the rights Of humanity, for the ochitc.
to ensave the 6lacks, as it would be for the black!
to enslaye the whites
RESOLVED, s., That the assertions of Taught,
despots, which ascribe the paternity of SLAYER
to the God of justice and mercy-such, for in
stance, as the following" domestic Slavery il
an ordinance of Providence and practical bless
ing" must, and shosld receive the contempt O
every viruous and decent man.
d ResolUed g., That the adoption and pubica
s ton of resolutions against Slavery, as the SUI
of all vlllainies," is but small part of the dut
which we owe to our brethren in bonds. Thei
. condition demands something more from US tina
mere declarations. Their case requires actio
united, energetic, perseyering, holy action.
ResolUed, T., That as Christians, and Chris
ian ministers, citizens of these United States
as men, and as freemen, we will utter and reitel
J. ate the grave enquiry, what shall be done fc
the determination of the great evil of Slavery
!, And that in all the relations we sustain to tn
|. Church and the world we will endcavor both b
precept and example to exert an influence, which
l. by the Divine blessing, may hasten that day
ii gadness and of jubilee in which all holy being
shall exclam, " Jehovah hath triumphed-H
people are free.
RESOLVED, g., That our adhering brethren i
the South, who by the practical workings of tn
u so-caled " plan of division" having been ejec
g ed from the Church of their choice and subjec
ed to various forms of abuse, are entitled to OF
l. warmest sympathies and most fervent prayers
ResOIved, g., That the signs of the times ind
TT cate the approach of period in this worlds hi
tory, in which, to rob a man of all his attribute
h and reduce him to a thing, will be UNIVERSAL
, regarded as an enormity for which perdition i
j self has scarcely an adequate state Of punsl
=, ment.
- D. FIELD,