Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1849-06-07
THE GREEN MOUNTATN
Convention of the Free Demoora.

niittee, the Free Democracy of Vernon, Assem-.
bled in State Convention at the Free Church in
Montpelier, on Thursday, the Slst day Of NAV.
1649, at 10 o'clock, A. NJ, and were called to
order by E. D. Barber, ESQ.,, Chairman Of the
State Committee.
On motion of Charles D. Kasson ESD, of
Burlington, Stephen Smith, Esq, was Amounted
President pro tempOre, and on motion Of w. P.
Badger, ESQ.,, of Montpelier, Edward Stansbu.
ry, of Burlington, was appointed Secretary pro
tempOre.
After prayer, by Rev. w. Smith, Caleb B.
Harrington, of Middletown, inquired of the
Chairman Of the State COMMITTEE whether any
communications had been received from any
persons who were candidates of the Free De.
mocracy last year. Mr.. Barber replied that he
had received communication from O T.. Shat.
ter, ESQ.,, declining to be considered a cand,date
for denomination, which letter having passed
out of his hands, was not then in the Co,ven-
ton. He read an extract from another letter
subsequently received from MIR. Skater. in the
following words: "The resolution expressed in
my former letter to you, not tn accept the nom
nation for Governor should it be rendered was
advisedly formed, and remains unShaised.s It
-, >, rolanusf
Accepted a seat upon the bench of the Snnreme
Court, did not deem it necessary to make anv
formal withdrawal of his name. Mr.. Rorber
read letter from Mr.. Stansbury, the candidate
of the Free Democracy last year, for the office
of Treasurer.
c. B. Harrington Esq. then stated to the con
ventlon that with view of ascertaininp wheth.
err it was possible to unite, upon principlc the
opponents of the present administration of Yer
mont, committees had been appointed by the
Free Democracy and the Democrats who had
supported Gen. Cass, at informal meetings of
both parties, to agree upon resolutions which
should serve as the platform of the Free De-
mocracy in tuture-and that those committees
had met, and after full and free discussion, had
agreed to the following resolutions, which were
now submitted not for immediate adoption, but
for an expression of appreciation or disapproba-
ton on the part of the Free Democracy.
ResO|Ced That liberty is a right inherent and
lnallenable i'll man, and that herein all men are
equal.
ReSolrcd, That to secure the blessings of lib
berry was the one great object for whichlhe Con-
Stltutlon of The United States was ordained
Res0lved That as liberty is the cearest right
and dearest interest OF the individual and its Sc
curlty, the highest duty Of the body polite, we
declare, as the first point and article in this
organization, that American Slavery is a great
evil and wrong, which ought TO be repented of
and abandoned
ReSotred That we claim no authority in the
Federal Government 10 abolish slavery in the
several States, but we do claim for it consiirl-
tlonal power perpetually 10 prohibit the introduce
ton OF Slavery into territory now free, and abol-
lsh ii wherever under the jurisdiction of Con-
gress il exists
Resotced, That this power ought Immediately
to be exercised in prohibiting the introduction
and existence of Slavery in New Mexico and
California, in abolishing Slavery and the slave
trade In the District OF Columbia on the high
seas, and wherever else, under the Constitution,
it can be reached.
ReSoiUed, mat no more slave States should be
admitted into the federal nnion ''''' 'i'OU''' -
ResotCed, That the government ono,bt 70 uo,,,,
TO lis ancient policy, not 10 ex,o,J Il. W ISiu
encourage But tm,9 SEif7 and disE
age slavery.
Resolved, That we demand for the people a
cheaper system oil hostages, a retrenchment of
the expenses and patronage of the federal GOV
eminent, the abolition of all unnecessary offices
and salaries, and the election of postnascrs and
other civil officers in the service of the govern.
ment, so lar as that may be practicable, by the
people.
Resolved, That we are opposed to land mono
poly, and believe that the Public Lands should
be granted to actual settlers, in limited ouanli-
ties, at the cost of survey and transfer.
Resolved, That the education of the children
OF the State is a matter of public concern. which
the Stale ought TO care for, and the property of
the State TO pay for
Resolved That we consider that the issues
which formerly divided the Democratic and
Wing parties in relation 10 United States Bank
Sub Treasury, and Distribution of the Proceeds;
of the Public Lands, have been settled. and that
we are not disposed, in the present position of
the political affairs of the nation, 10 countenance
their revival, whatever may have been our in.
divtdual opinions heretofore on those subjects
Resolved, That we can support no man as n
candidate for State or national officers, who does
not sanction the principles embodied il the fore.
going resolutions.
Resolved, That we discover in the acts of tbe
nresent Administration no indications of fr;orI
ship TO the cause OF freedom.
RESOLVED, That we will adhere firmly TO ,bo
principles here proclaimed, regardless of The
"indignant frowns" of slaveholdinr eyecu.
tive, and unawed by the fear of being disturbed
in the defence of the fundamental doctrines Of
Republican freedom.
After the resolutions were read, the question
was taken on approving them, and decided Il.
unanimously and enthusiastically in the afirma.
tive. On motion of L. E. Chitte nden, ESD, il
was then voted to adjourn fifteen minutes in
order to reassemble with the members of tho
Democratic Convention, who having unanim
ously approved of the above resolutions, reporte,
to them by their Committee, were DESTROYS 0
uniting in union Convention with the Free De
mocracy, for the purpose of nominating a Stat
Ticket and porfecting the organization of tn
party.
STEPHEN SMITH, President
E. A. STANsBURY, Sec'y,
| TTnion State Nonxzay+io,,