Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-04-03
A Proposed National Convention.

The following stirring appeal to the people OF
the Free States, is from the last Cleveland True
Democrat, the leading freesoil paper of the West,
and the organ Of such champions of our cause
as Chase and Giddings. "The warning and
call for action" which is so appropriately put
forth, in our opinion, at this alarming crisis, con-
tains of itself, even if no more could be added,
enough of startling truth to bring every freeman
throughout the entire North, to his feet, and
and make him resolve that he will now, if never
before, "Do OR DE-" for freedom. We think
Vermont will heartily respond to the call.-ED.
WARNING, AND A ALL TO ACTION.
THE Infamous Fugitive Law-HoW long shall 1t
stand a Memorial Of shame to our Country?
Let Freemen answer this question, in such
way as to penetrate the dull ears OF this inlqui'
tous Administration, by whose influence 1t pass
ed through the forms of law.
We propose a National Convention of A who
are opposed to this vile law, to be held on the
4th of July next, at Buffalo, Cleveland or Pitts
burgh. BY this law, the President and a major
ity of Congress have endeavored to nationallze
Slavery, and extend its loathesome tyranny to
the Free States. Let a stand be made against
1t, on the Anniversary Of that day, when our
glorious old fathers, in the name of the living
God, and in the face of the world, proclaimed
the sublime truth, that SAIL MEN are by nature
created equal, and are endowed by their Creator
with certain inalienable rights, among which are
life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" The
day is, and should ever be, held sacredto impair
tal liberty.
There is now, as there was in '76, occasion to
~reiterate those immortal truths, and to give them
a practical application to the urgent necessities
Of the present day. The Fugitive Slave Law,
if permitted to be carried into execution, will
break down all the guarantees of personal liber-
tv and security contained in the Constitution of
the United States, and the several State Consti-
buttons.
1t is o practical repeal and subversion of the
Federal Constitution, and no shuffling or petit
fogging of ~servile a~spirants for the Presidency,
or their corrupt and sycophantic tools, can make
aught else of it. This revolutionary measure
this most wicked and oppressive law, the Presi-
dent threatens to execute by military foree-a
mercenary %soldiery are to be CHARTERED on the
people. and paid out Of their hard earnings, to
compel them, by the terror of the sword and
bavonet, to stand still and see free men, women
and children kidnapped into perpetual slavery by
i, ~rufians in the pay of government The Presl
! dent and his Cabinet threaten to turn this nth
n erto benignant Republic into a military despot
ism, for the internal purpose of selzlng and bind
i, inc freemen, to be returned into eternal slavery
The alternative is presented to us all, either
TO permit our free States to become the hunting
ground of kidnappers from the slave States, ant
we TO be their unpaid mercenaries in villalny, O
= 4. L,,-o to x1oo IovIpd 1DOO Our industry To SlDDOF
an army to uuench with our blood our sympathy
with the oppressed.
j Shall we of the free States tameIy submit t
!, such insolence and outrage ? Shall we crouch
and cringe under these threats of a weak Presl
dent and his debauched and apostate Secretary
u of State? If we do, the next step will be t.
r turn the bayonets of their hireling mercenarle.
{: against the free utterance of our Indignation a
these corruptions and usurpations. If we do
, richly shall we deserve to become the d%rivelinl
minions of an upstart and %insolent oligarchy
II warmed into life and made formidable alonI
h through our cowar1ice or %inaction.
Who. then, will not second this call? 1t l
=. made with no narrow and partisan designs
Narrow and bigoted, ambitious and corrupt par
tisans will not favor it but will not those VIII
j. love the Republic,-who love the Union as
n means for the preservation of a PURE-not
:, corrupt and acknowledgements will not a
y who abhor Military Despotism, and have fat
sc in the People, second this call?
i'd The meeting is not designed to make Pres
dental nominations, but for counsel, preparatic
:. and organization, to meet any crisis which tt
g. exigencies of Liberty may demand. May "
al not hope, then, for a prompt and decided angw :.
Us from all friendly to the cause of American La
o. erty