Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1848-08-24

geSs OF 1904 Tor the proVso, 10 three 0tdusS an SSF
en- delegates against it, the actual exclusion of slavery,
from the northwestern territory by the ordinance Of
1857, unanimously adopted by the States in Congress;
and the entire history of that PERIOD clearly show that
it the settled policy of the nation, not to extend,
nationalize or encourage but to limit ocalize, and
discourage, slavery and to this policy which should
never have been departed FROM the government ought
to return.
ResoIued, That our Fathers ordained the Constitu-
ton of the United States IN order, among other great
national objects, to establish JUSTICE promote the gen
eral welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty but
expressly denied to the federal government which they
created all constitutional power to deprive any person
of life, liberty, or property without due legal process.
ReSOlUed, That in the judgment of this Convention
Congress has no more power to make slave than to
make king-no power to institute or establish
slavery than TO institute or establish monar-
chy-no such power be found among those
specifically conferred by the constitution derived by
any just implication from them.
Resolved That it is the duty of the federal govern
ment to relieve itself from all responsibility for the ex
stence continuance of slavery wherever that gov
eminent possesses constitutional authority to legsate
that subject, and is thus responsible for its exist
ence.
Resolved That the true, and in the Judgment of
this convention the only safe of preventing the
extension of slavery into territory free, is to pro-
hbit its existence in all such territory by act of
Congress.
Resolved, That we accept the issue which the slave
power has forced upon us, and to their demand for
slave states, and slave territories calm but
final answer is, no more slave states, and no
slave territory Let the soil Of our extensive domains
be ever kept free for the hardy pioneers of our
land and the oppressed and banished of other ands
seeking homes Of comfort and fields of enterprise in
the new world
Resolved, That the bill lately reported by the
mittee of eight in the Senate of United States,
no compromise but an absolute surrender Of the rights
of the hon-savehoders of all the states and while we
rejoice to know that measure which, while opening
the door to litigation and strife among the future in
habitants thereof to the ruin of their peace and pros
perty defeated in the House of Representatives,
its passage, in hot haste by majority of the Senate,
embracing several senators who voted in open viola
ton Of the known will Of their constituents, should
warn the people to to it, that their representatives
be not suffered to betray them. There must be no
more compromises with slavery; if made, they must be
repealed.
Resolved, That we demand freedom and establish
ed institutions for our brethren in Oregon now expos
ed to hardship peril and massacreby the reckless hos
tlity of the slave power to the establishment of free
government for free territories and not only one for
them, but for our new brethren inNew Mexico and
California.
And whereas il is due not only to this occasion, but
to the whole peoe Of the United States, that we should
also declare ourselves certain other questions of ma
: liona policy, therefore
Resolved That we demand cheap postage for the
people; retrenchment of the expenses and patronage
of the federal government; the abolition Of all unneces
sary Offices and salaries, and the election by the peo
pie of all civil officers in the service of the govern
y nen so far as the same may be practicable
u Resolved, That River and Harbor Improvements,
whenever demanded by the safety and convenience of
commerce with foreign nations, or among the several
states are objects of national concern and that it is
the duty of Congress- in the exercise of its costu-
Il tional powers, to provide therefor.
ReSolUed, That the free grant to actual settlers in
consideration of the expenses incurred in making set
Elements in the wilderness, which are usually fully
equal 10 their actual COST and of the public benefits
resulting therefrom of reasonable portions of the pub
lie lands under suiable limitations is wise and Just
! measure of public policy, which will promote, in vari-
GUS ways the interests of all the states ofthis Union
and therefore recommend it to the favorable con-
d sideraton of the American people.
ID Resolved That the obligations of honor and patriot
rs ism require the earliest practical payment OF the ma
ID onal debit and we are therefore in favor OF such
tariff of duties as will raise revenue adequate to defray
% the necessary expenses of the federal government
~ and to pay annual instamens of debt and the in
u crest thereon
6, Resolved. That we inscrlbe on our banner FREE
he SOIL, FREE SPEECH, FREE LABOR AMI
'r' FREE MEN, and under it will fight on, and fgh
p cver until triumphant victory shall reward ex
Grtons.
I'll The resolutions were then submitted to the
e. ton by the President and adopted by accamatonan
he the convention adjourned to meet again at three O.
We clock.
of MEETING OF THE CONFEREES.
After the adjournment of the convention the con
u! erees met at the Unversalist church in Washingto
! street. for the purpose of agreeing upon candidates
=. be presented to the convention Mr. Chase, of
W was called to the chair. After the organization,
Butler of New York, requested by the committe
=. to give any information he might possess in re
W gard to Mr. Van Burens views in reference to the
u' ton OF the convention, whereupon he addressed tn
committee at length the movement of the real de
o mocracy of New York. and the posture in which the
~ stood towards Mr.. Van Buren, the nominee Of tn
IL Utica Convention In the course of his remarks
nv read the following letter. which elected the most raj
..o turous applause.
of LETTER FROM MR.. VAN BUREN,.
en- LINDENwALD, Aug. 2, ls48.
'as GENTLEMEN:-It has occurred to me that diret
18th communication of my feeling upon single pointma
I'VE in one event. serve to embarrassment in you
action at Buffalo You all know from my letter to tn
led Utica convention, and the confidence you repose
Ill my sincerity how greatly the proceedings of that bod
pie in relation to myself were opposed to my earneS
wv wishes. Some of you have also had opportunities
satisfy yourselves from personal observation of tn
ew sacrifices OF feeling and interests which incurred
ld submitting my future action to its control. None
you need be assured Of the extent TO which these fee
Ter ing relieved by the CONSCIOUSNESS that in yiel
ing to the decision Of that body that the my
he necessary to enable the faithful democrat
or of New York. to sustain themselves in the exaord
re- nary position into which they have been driven by
injustice of Others awaited myself of the opporuni
to testify to them my enduring gratitude for the
J favors had received at their hands.
ing The convention, of which you form part, may
10 wisely conducted, be productive of importa
es consequences than any which has gone before it
only that which formed the federal constitution
one respect it will be wholly unlike any political CO
as venton which has been held in the United State
ing since the present organization of parties 1t will,
ard great degree be composed of individuals, who hay
lis all their lives been arrayed different sides in pol
we'd tics state and NATIONAL and who still differ in rega
nv to most of the questions that have arisen in the ADM
ted stration of the respective governments but who e
ith themselves called upon by considerations of the hg
If est Importance to suspend rival action upon other
cv iects & unite their common efforts for the accomps
ment of single end-the prevention Of the introdu
sb ton of human slavery into the extensive territory
ll