The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-10-21
RESOLUTIONS OF THE BUFFALO CONVENTION
OF l64S

RESOLUTIONS OF THE BUFFALO CONVENTION
OF lS4s
Whereas we have assembled ia Convention az a
union of JreemsH for the sake OF Freedom. forget
ting all p tst political differences in common re-
solve to maintain the rights of Free Labor against
the aggressions Of the Slave Power, aud to secure
Free Soil tor Free People:
And 'ohere0s the political Conventions recently
assembled at Baltimore aud Philadelphia, the one
sitting the voice of great constituency entitled
TO be heard in its deliberations, aud the other
Abandoning its distinctive principles for mere
availability, have dissolved the National priv
organizations heretofore existing, by nominating
for the Chief Magistrscy Of the United States
under slayeholding dictation. candidates H,iihey
Of ohOm eau be supported by the opponents of
slavery extension without S0erife. Of consistency
duty, and selt.rsSp<et:
And Whereas thSsefneahinations so made. fur
nish the occasion and demonstrate the necessity
Of the union Of the People, under the banners of
Free Democracy, IN a solemn and formal dciciyd
ton of their iadtpendsnce Of the Sdrs Poaer, and
of their fixed determination 10 rescue the Federal
Government from its control
RsSoiUed, therefore, That we The People here as
sembied, remembering the example of our fa,hers
in the days Of the first Declaration of lndepend-
ence putting our trust IN God for the triumph Of
our cause, and invoking fIis guidance in our en-
dcavor4 TO advance it, do now plant ourselves upon
the NATIONAL PLATFORM OF FREE
DOM, in opposition TO the Sectional Platform Of
Slavery.
Rssolred, That Slavery, in the several States in
this Union which recognise its existence depends
upon State laws alone, which cannot be repealed
or modified by the Feiecsl Government, and Tor
which laws that Government are no, responsible.
We therefore propose no interference by Con-
gress with Slavery within the limits OF any State.
R,soIv.d, That the PROVISO OF JEFFER-
SON. to prohibit the existence Of Slavery, after
1900 IN ali the Territories Of the United States
Southern and Northern the votes of six States
aud sixteen delegate in the Congress of 7S4 for
the Proviso, to three States and seven delegates
against II; the ac:ual exclusion of Slavery from
the Northwestern Territory by the ORDl-
NANCE OF 1887, unanimously adopted by the
States 10 Congress and the entire history of that
period clearly show that il was the settled POLICY
of the Naion, not 10 e1'sad nasi0nalize, or eneOW
age but to limit, locaze, ard discourage Slavery;
ami to 'his policy which should never have been
departed from, the Government ought to return.
Resolped, That our fathers ordained the Consti
tuition of the United States, ia order among other
great National objects, to establish justice, pro-
mote the general welfare and secure the blessings
of Liberty; but expressly denied to the Federal
Government, which they created, all constitution
al power to dcprive any person of life, liberty, or
property, without due leg,l process.
Resolped That, in the judgment of this Con-
ventiou, Congress has no more power to make u
SLAVE than to make KING; no more power
to institute or establish SLAVERY than to insti-
tute or establish a MONARCHY no such power
can be found among those speclf cally conferred
by the Constitution or derived by jest implica-
ton from them.
ResolDed, THATITls THE Duty OF THE FEDERAL
GovsRNMENT TO RELIEVE ITSELF FROM ALL RE-
sPoNsIBILITy FOR THE EXISTENCE OR CONTINUANCE
OF SLAVERY WHEREVER THAT Government
POSSESSES CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY TO LEGIs-
LATE THAT SUBJECT, AND is THUS RESPONSIBLE
FOR ITS Existence.
RssolUed, That the true and, in the judgment Of
this Convention the only safe means of prevent
ing the extension of Slavery into territory now
free is to prohibit its existence In all such terri
tory by IN act Of Congress
Resolved, That we accept the issue which the
Slave Power has forced upon US, and to their de-
maud for more Slave Territories our calm but
final answer il, no more Slave States and no more
Slave Territory Let the soil of our extensive
domains be ever kept free, for the hardy pioneers
of our own land and the oppressed and banished
Of other lands, seeking homes Of comfort and fields
of enterprise in the New World.
| The resolution in regard to the Compromise
bill introduced into the United States Senate IL
lS4S, and the resolution relating to Oregon, ar
omitted
And Whereas it is DUE not orly to this occasion
but to the who people Of the United States, tina
We should alSo decl IRE ourselves certain othtl
questions Of National policy--.hercfore
Resolusd, That We demand CHEAP POS STAGE
for the People n retrenchment Of the expense
and patronage Of the Federal Government; tn,
0bolu,oa Of all unnecessary Offices and salaries
aud the election ny the People of all civil oficer'
ia the service Of the Government, 30 far rs tn,
same may be practicable.
Rssoiued, That River and Harbor Improve
menfs, whenever demanded by the safety and con.
venience Of commerce with foreign nations OF
among the several States, are objects Of National
concern and it is the duty Of Congress, in the
exercise Of It's constitutional powers TO provide
| therefor.
Resolped, That the free grant to actual settlers,
in consideration Of the expenses incurred la ma
king settlements in the wilderness, which are
usually fully tqu Il to their actual cost and Of the
public benefits resulting thereffom of re ,sonable
portions Of the public lands under suitable limit
atoms, is wise and just measure Of public policy,
which will promote in various ways the interests
Of all the States of this Union aud we there fore
recommend IL to the favorable consideration Of the
American People.
ResoiUed, That the obligations Of honor sud pa
trio'ism require the earliest practicable payment
Of the National debt; aud that we therefore
in favor Of such tariff Of duties as will raise
enue adequate to defray the necessary expenses of
the Federal Government, and to pay annual in
stsuients OF our debt and interest thereon.
Resolued, That we nscribs on our banner
GREE SOIL. FREE SPEECH, FREE La
Dor, AND FREE MEN,n and under it will
fight on, and fight ever, until triumphant vic
tory shall reward our exertions.