The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-08-19
PENNSYLVANIA FREE SOIL STATE CONVENTION.
PITTsBURGH. Augud 10. 1852.

PITTsBURGH, august 10, 1852
mass meeting or informal Convention, OF
the Free-Soiers of Pennsylvania was held to-day,
in the Masonic Hall, in this city. About two
hundred persons were present, representing
Allegheny Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Clear.
field, Chester, Dauphin Fayette, Greene, Indi-
ana, Lancaster, Lawrence, Mercer. Montgo-
merry, Northampton, Potter Schuylkill, We
mango, Washington, and Wayne counties. and
the city and county of Philadelphia No Gre
dcntials were offered, but every person was ad-
mitted on reporting his name-thus represent
ing every shade of Anti. Slavery doctrine.
Permanent officers were chosen, rs follows
President, VIM. B. Thomas, of Philadelphia
Vice Presidents, Chas Avery, of Allegheny X.
Mitchell of Indiana county Robert Hanna, of
Mercer county JOS. Mann, of Potter county
+, j. Boggs Of Wayne county Isaac l.. Null
len of Chester county and Mordecai M. Nc
Kenney. Secretaries, J. B. Hubbard, of Mer-
Ger county j. Gibbons Of Lancaster aud Iii
Dillon Of Philadelphia.
In the afternoon, platform Of principles was
adopted as follows
Resoiued, That civil Government is an ordi-
nance of God and men are only delegated
agents to carry out righteous purposes by right
full means and whenever human laws sro op-
posed TO Gods will, such laws arc null and void,
and are not binding upon men, either morally
or politically
| kesoiUed, That rendition of fugitive slaves,
either by National or State authority is wick.
ed contrary TO Gods will, and not binding
upon any citizen.
Resoiued, That we AFRO opposed to slavery of
every KIND, and ~ favor Oh every constitutional
effort ~ abolish it.
| EesOlved, That we are opposed to any and
every Compromise with slavery, and that no
lapse Of time can render any such Compromise
binding upon us,
| Resoisxd, That we are not only opposed to
the abuses practiced under the Fugitive Slave
Law, but are in favor Of its absolute repeal.
because we believe it unconstitutional
| RESOLVED, That the Democratic and Wing
parties having basely bowed the knee to the
dark spirit Of slavery, there ~ no course left
for the friends Of Liberty to pursue but to re-
fuse 10 cooperate with either.
Resolued That third party, opposed To the
Compromise Platforms Of the 0thor parties,
should not be party Of one idea, but should
embrace IN its principles the acknowledgment
al mans natural right to the soil ~ well M to
himself, and Of the duty Of II Republican Gov.
eminent to see that the Laws OF Nations are
not disregarded to its injury, by despots
| Resolved That we are in favor Of tho freedom
Of the public lands n actual settlers, in limited
quantities,
Resolved That tho homestead Of family
should be inalionable for debt under proper
limitations ~ Ia amount
EesoJpsd That the right Of selfgoyernment
by nations springs necessarily from the doe
trine OF the right OF the individual man to self
government; that where this right of self gov
eminent is violated by unsolicited intervention
on the part Of any nation, the true aud only
remedy for such Invasion Of right Is contraven.
tipa W other nations for the sake of non-iater.
yention and that il is the duty Of this Govern
ment to interfere by oil peaceable means, on
behalf OF the liberty Of any nation struggling
to be free from the power Of the aggressor
| Resolved, That the Constitution should be
amended 80 as 10 render the PresidenteVico
President Senators, and all ministerial olhcers,
elective by popular votA
R<sgvsh That, ~ IN khe words Of Washing
ton, Ia proportion a. tbe structure of Gov
erument givo force V public opinion, il is as
seDtial that pnblie spinion be enlightened, we
J ere = bRe0 ~ cheapest letter and pewspa-