Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-10-24
Resolutions on the Fugitive Slave
Bill.


Resolutions on the Fugitive Slave
Bill.
The following resolutions were introduced
y Mr.. Blown of Wore ester, on Saturday, Oct.
9th, and referred to select committee of
We
Whereas. The constitution of this State ex
ressIy provides and declares, "That all men
re born eut1Ltv free and independent, and have
ettau natural and inalienable rights, among
hich are The enjoying and defending lie and
berty-acqairing, possessing, ard projecting
nd safety. That gov
nment is,6r ounht to be instituted for the
omnon benefit, protection and security OF the
eople, nation, or community, and mot for the
particular emolument, or advantage OF any SIN
gle man, family, Or set of men, who are part
only Of that connunliy."
And whereas, The right of tial by jury is Sc
cured to oil PERSONS by the constitution and laws
of this State; and by the constitution OF the u
nted Suites, 1t is expressly provided that
"When the value in controversy shall exceed
twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be
preservedr And whereas, this has ever been
regarded bv the people as one of their " lnallen-
able rights" to the sacrifice OF which they will
never consent, and without which they can new.
be safe in the possession and enjoyment OF
property. the security Of personal liberty, or the
pursuit 1t their common safety and happiness.
Therefore RESOLVED, by The Senate and House
of R.premntnE:vls, in General assembly conuen-
ed That no citizen or lnhabltant OF this State
can be Justly deprived OF his life, lioerty, or
property, without the full benefit OF trial by
an impartial jury ofhis oountry--ald OF council
| if he desires 1.-THE right and power to INTRO
duce witnesses in his defence, and to confront
H.. witnesses against him face to face, and gen.
eiailv 10 have and enjoy all the rights incident
to NE trial of suspected or accused persons, IN
order to secure a fair, impartial and just Iudg-
ment
Resolved further, That all attempts to violate
or infringe upon the laws OF this State, ana the
rights of the people, as secured by the consttu
ton are misileneanors, aud ought TO be every
where resisted by those in authority under the
State government, and ultimately punished a.
provided by law.
The following resolutions were introduced by
Mr.. Mattocks of Peacham, on Wednesday, l7ll
inst, and ordered to be printed.
Resolved By the Senate and House Of Represen
iatiyes That we disopprove the Act of Congress
relating to ''iers0ns escaping from the service
Of their masters, approved Sept Is, 1850, as it
provisions arc volativo of the first principles o
civil liberty and of the constitutions
! because, it undestakes to impart to an ap
pontee of a Circuit or Territorial Court OF thu
United States, the judicial power of government
which .by The constitutions vested in the Court
n"s .,es u si.,sis- t., tho man, claimed
slave, The Hteus corpus =
Bccause,k denies TO the man claimed as I
fugitive slap, the trial by jury;-
Because, does not plo"ide for " a public tri
al" nor allow the man, claimed as a slave, tn
right g to confront with the witnessed agans
bin;-
Because, it offers a bride to the commissioner
to decide ayainst libcrty-and
Because, in these, and other respects it pla
ces the Liberty of citizens at the mercy of Gu
pdty and faud.
Resolved That our Senators be instructed
Ad our Representatives be requested, to presen
these Resolutions to Congress, and that they us
ealy and dIligent efforts to procure the imme
date repeal Of said Act.