Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1851-07-26
Freedom Convention at Ravenna.

ty was appointed by the Chair, to report resolu
tions.
During the absence of the Committee on Reso-
lutions, Senator Chase, addressed the Convention,
in an able and effective speech which was responded
to with the most enthusiastic plauds BY the assem-
bled throng.
The exercises were interspersed by songs of
freedom, by the Hutchinsons, to the delight and
entertainment of the Convention
AT the conclusion Hon Daniel R. Tilden, re-
ported series of resolutions, which, after being
considered and slightly amended, were unanimous
ly and enthusiastically adopted, follows:
Whereas the present National administration
has betrayed the cause of Liberty by espousng
the cause of Slavery; and whereas the Fugitive
Slave Law remains unrepealed, and the odious
system of American Slavery is seeking to extend
itself over territory consecrated to Freedom;
and whereas the so-caed Wing and Democratic
parties of the nation preparing to engraft rso
their respective creeds an unyelding support of
the above-named Fugitive Law the test OF par
tlsans hdelity-therefore
| EesoEced,
]. That reiterate the doctrines and firmly
adhere to. the principles assorted at the Buffalo
Convention, in August 184S, and the Columbus
Convention in December, 1848.
2. That governments are constituted to secure
all men in the enjoyment of their just rights
3. That whenever the power or influence of
government is prostituted to the purpose of op-
preston, to take from any individual the enjoy
ment of liberty Except for crime) such act
Estitutes palpabe peryersion of the essential OBJ
Jects for which governments are formed.
| 4. That the men party who vote for or sus-
tain such law, cannot and ought not to enjoy the
confidence of enlightened people.
s. That the true mission of the friends of hui
man progress in our country is to maintain the lib
critics of the People the sovereignty of the States,
and the integrity of the Union, by the application
70, oHa of4l IL of
equal rights; exact justice, and special privil-
eges; to hearty cooperation in which great work
we now pledge ourselves.
6. That the question of slavery and its relations
to the State and National Governments has come,
in the progress of events, to be of paramount i'm
portance in American politics, and that party alone
which proposes to carry out Democratic principles
in their just application to this, well as all 9th
er questions, is rghtfully entitled to the Democrat
&c name.
7. That the Compromise measures of the last
Congress, by making the admission of the sover-
elgn State of California contingent upon the adop-
ton of other measures demanded by the special
interests of slavery, by its omission to guaranty
freedom in free territory by its imposition of un
constitutional limitations the power of Congress
and the People to admit new States, BY its provis-
ions for the assumption of five millions of the
State debt of Texas, and for the payment of equal
millions and the cesson of large territories the
same State, under menace, inducement to
the REIMBURSEMENT of groundless claim, and by
its invasion of the sovereignty of the States and
the liberties of the people by the enactment of an
unconstitutional and indefensible law for the re
coyery of fugitiYes from service is proved to be
inconsistent with all the principles and maxms of
Democracy, and wholly inadequate to the settle
ment of the questions of which il is claimed To- be
an adjustment.
8. That the guilt ef passing the Fugitive Law
of surrenderng free territory to slave State and
the folly of paying ten millions to Texas for terri
tory to which she never had any claim attaches to
both the Hunker Wing and Democratic parties
and must continue to attach to them while the men
who voted for those measures remain with and are
sustained and recognised as acceptable members
of those parties.
9. That those or parties who voted for and
now urge the enforcement or continuance of the
Fugitive Slave Law, should be repudated by all
who love justice or seek the welfare of mankind.
10. That We deny the power of Congress to
pledge the people of this nation to admit another
slave State from Texas New Mexico, Utah, or
any other Territory.
IL. That such attempt to pledge the action of a
future Congress was worthy only the servile spir-
its who made it.
12. That we believe the great mass of the peo-
pie, belonging to both the Whig and Democratic
parties really desire the happiness elevation, and
|
when good men of all parties should unite for the
overthrow of a corrupt administration, and to give
effect to the ''sefevident truths" provided in the
Declaration of independence, and which const
tute the basis of our Government.
13. That the enemies of human liberty now rule
our nation, because the friends of freedom are d-
vded in their political efforts; and that it is the OBJ
ject of the Free Democracy to rally all who sus
tain the right of man to his freedom, to the
! Government from the hands of those who prosti-
tute its powers to the purposes of oppression and
cruelty.
! IA. That the people cannot con6de in the wis
dom virtue of men parties who hold that
Congress possesses constitutional power to legis-
late for the support, extension, perpetuaton of
slavery or to pass any law which contravenes the
law of God, or robs man of his natural rights.
Is. That we cannot respect nor can we con6de
in those lower law doctors of divinity who hold hui
man laws above the law of God, nor can we con-
cur in their teachings, that the Divine law is SUBJ
ject to "CoNGREssIoNAL COMPROMISES"
18. ResolUed, That we recommend the holding
of National Convention of the friends of Free
dom throughout the Union, at Cleveland, on
Wednesday, the Gath day of September next for
the purpose of consulting together as to the next
Presidential canvass, and to harmonize and unite
all the sentiment of the nation opposed to slavery
and the slave power.
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PRESERVING THE ONIoN.-Scraggs says, man,
II Al