The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-11-11
WASHINGTON. ID. G.
For the National Era.
FREE DEMOCRACY IN VIRGINIA.

stated by the Chairman, the following resolu-
ton was offered.
Rs>olrcd. That we organize a permanent
Free Democratic Club and that a commettee
he appointed by the Chairman to draft a Con
stltution for the government Of the same.
The Chairman appointed the following gen
teucn said committee David Hottie, Joseph
Barr and Daniel H. Fraycl
The Committee to draft q Constitution, after
having retired some time reported the follow
ing Preamble and Constitution which was
adopted unanimously:
Whereas the Democratic and Wing Parties
have failed thus far to carry out the tunda-
mental principles of our Government, rs laid
down hv the fathers of the Republic, viz: to
establish Justice and to promote the general
welfare. Ly securing the blessings Of liberty
lut have. ON the other hand bv a series of acts.
through "a series of years lent their whole power
and influence to the one obiect-to nationalze
the sectional aud demoralzJng institution OF
Slavery.
So intent upon this Object so reckless of
lrinciple 50 regardless of the opinions and re-
~pect of mankind that in effect they have re-
undated and annulled the Ordinance Of 81,
the barrier our Revolutionary fathers had es-
tah.i>hcd with view to the extinction OF Sia-
very. that il might not spread and corrupt a
whole continent. and at their late Conventions
in Baltimore assumed prerogatiyeS that no
freeman VIII allow.
They have declared a law 10 be tinalty-
II law ihat violates every principle OF Christi
anitv and is Il disgrace t. civilization.
They have shown a desire to stltie debate, to
suppress the liberty Of speech and Of the press,
the palladium Of our liberties:
They have set God at defiance, by impious
sneerS at the highcr lGT, rs demonstrated in
public speeches and in private circles repre-
srntin. hi, law ~ ~ nowiSc controlling human
action. when the lower law mans law bids
the contrary thus opening the door and IN
yiting IHf5ciJV--an nfdelty to which rcyolu-
t.onary France paid tribute in blood
And whereas in view of the corruption of the
two old parre- we anticipate the future by the
past they viii never return 10 accomplish the
work our fathers Lad so nobly begun, and We
can have no hope for the cause Of true Democ-
rary or hat the rights of man will be uniyer-
sally acknowledged but in separate organza.
ton
We. therefore in order TO make ourselves
effective Tor good repudiate the two old parties,
and organize an Independent Free Democratic
Ciab upon permanent basis to affiliate with
ANY IA the United States which has Ike views
and Ike aims and adopt the Pittsburgh Plat
form as oar creed Of principles and bond Of
union with the motto, Eternal vigilance is the
price OF liberty, and adopt the following con-
stitution
Arr J. This Club shall be known by the
style AMI title of the Free Democratic Club Of
Shenandoah.
ART II The officers of this Club shall con
ei-t 1T a Pre-Ae8 Wee President Secretary,
Treasurer and Board Of Managers composed
Of the above officers and not less than three
other members Of the Club-all of whom shall
be elected annually-who shall have power to
call special meetings ana to fix the time and
place OF the annual meetings OF the Club; ut
which they Shall make IN annual written re-
port of Their doiugs shall hold stated meetings
and adopt the most energetic measures in their
power 10 advance the objects Of the Club and
shall ly correspondence. court the good opln-
ion and sympathy Of Anti-Slavery men and
women IN the State of Virginia, ~ we'll as in
other States of the Union.
ART. III The President shall preside at all
meetings of thc Clab; in his absence, the Vice
President: IN their absence Il President pro
tenn The Secretary shall notify all meetings
Of the Club and of the Board of Managers
and keep n record of their doings The Treas
mcr shall collect all moneys and make pay
mcnt at the direction Of the Board of Mana
gers, aud present written and audited ac-
count to accompany the annual report
ART. ". Any person who approves of this
Constitution and Che Pittsburgh Platform, may
become member of this Club on subscribing
ms name or requesting it to be done by amy
member.
ART. V. Any Club in this county, founded
on the same principles, may become auxiliary
to this Club
ART VI. This Constitution may be altered or
amended, by two-tllirds of the members present
voting in its favor but no amendment shall be
voted on at the meeting n which it is offered,
bat at the next stated meeting of the Club.
Ii was GA motion
Eeyoir,d That We 80 into an election for per
manent officers
Which resulted in the election Of Geo Rye
ior President. David Hottie, Vice President r.
Ewing, Secretary Daniel II. Fravcl Trcasu-
rrr. For the Board Of Managers-Dr. Levi
P,tmao, Milton Hickman, Joseph Ludwick, :.
Munrh, JOS Barr, and James Barr.
RcS0ircd hat we tender our sympnthics to
Cas- Dougla. Buchanan, Webster, and the
rest, IN the loss of the consideration that
prompted them to the prostitution of their tai
euts. Then power, and their influence 70 II base
subscryicncy to the Slave Power. But we must
IN duty TO ourselves and our cause, withhold
oar respect or admiration because we can I'M
dc,stauA account. and make all due allowance
for. men who have been reared aud educated
in a slave state, who are interviewer with it's
interests and its preludIccs; hut for men who
have been born and educated in free State
and surrounded 10y higher civilization we
can make no allowance nor give n reason for
their actions but deep-scated dopravlty or M
tpicrabic ambition.
RcWirCd That we recommend to the friends
al Freedom in the State of Virginia to organize
Club. in every ncighborhood where but three
can bo found who approve Of the Pittsburgh
Platform. aud to report their dongs through
the National E,G. and express their opinions as
to the prupricly OF holding II State Convention
some tmr this fall or coming winter.
RSoircd That WE urge 1t AZ II duty upon
every Free Democrat IN the State, who casts IL
vote for Hale and julian 10 see that the poll
books are property opened and that his vote is
recorded to the end that it may not appear in
the returns ~ scattering
Rcyoir,d That "" most cordially recommend
to the public the National Era paper pub
lshed at Washington city d. CAS- energetic
ANY sustaining correct patriotic, ana hlEh
moral principles, and in every way worthy to
be made II weekly visitor by every family in the
land
R@oircd That the proceedings of this meet
ing be published in the Tenth Legion and the
National Era.
ADDRESS T INDEPENDENT DEMOCRACY
" THE STATE OF VIRGINIA.
FELLow.ClrIzESs: The undersigned feel
imupllpi In ,rup .guln vour tinn the inn