The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1853-01-21
RESOLUTIONS

Adopted by The Free Democracy Of Ohio, in
! COnuention, al, Columbus, Jan. l2, 1853.
l. That slavery, wherever it exists is a
sin against God, und crime against man, g.
will sooner or later destroy any people or
Government which upholds or prepetuates it.
2. That as Congress has no power to
create or sanction slavery, and as the Con-
stitution Of the United States expressly
denies to the General Government all power
TO deprive any "person of life, liberty, or
property without due process of law" there
fore, wherever slavery or the slave trade ex-
lists by enactments Of Congress, or Of Legis-
latures deriving their powers from the GEN
eral Government, il 10 clearly in violation Of
said constitution, and ought Immediately to
| cease. sik .L
D.. Tnm tae Fsaefsi Government i. ono
OF limited powers, derived solely from the
Constitution, and the grants of power there
in ought to be strictly construed, by all the
departments and agents of the Government;
that there is no power granted therein to
pass laws for the return of fugitive slaves,
and that the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 is
repugnant to the Constitution, to the priG.
cip'es Of the common law, to the spirit of
Christianity, and to the sentiments of the
civilized world, and has not been, and canno,
be generally enforced; and, like all other un-
constitutional and unclristian laws, is not
binding upon the people, and ought to be re-
peuled.
4. That the doctrine that any human law
is finalty, and not subject to modification
or repeal, is not in accordance with the creed
of the founders of our Government, and is
dangerous to the Liberties Of the people; and
that one Congsess sshnot make compromises
binding upon future Congresses.
, 3. That ii is the duty of the General
Government, while moving strictly within its
constitutional powers, and exercising no
doubtful ones, to exert its influence on the
side of freedom in this and all other lands.
q. That every nation has clear right TO
alter or change its own government, and to
administer it's own concerns, in such manner
as may best secure the rights and promote
the happiness Of the people; and foreign in
reference with that right is a dangerous
violation of the law Of nations, ngainst which
oil independent governments should protest,
and endeavor by all proper means to prevent;
and especially is it the duty of the American
Government, representing the chief Repub-
lie Of the world, to protest against, and by
all proper means to prevent, the Intervention
of Kings and Emperors against nations seek
ing to establish for themselves republican or
govsrfama~,s.
7. That while the Federal Government
should faithfully adhere to the laws of ma
tlons, and fulfill he treaty obligations, and
should not interfere in the internal affairs of
of every citizen of the United States to leave
his country and go where he pleases, and up
on his own responsibility, aid any people
whatever, in throwing off tho shackels of
tyranny, and establishing free institutions
for themselves, and that the Federal Govern
ment has no rgh, to prevent him from thus
acting.
8. That one Of the most happy features
Of our Government is its capacity OF ex.
pansion, and that 1t Is both the dictate of
duty and of true policy, to open our arms to
receive uneer our national flag any people on
this continent, or its adjacent islands, who
form Republican Government based upon
the principles of the Declaration of Inde-
pendenee; but that we sawih Aght now and
ever more against the admission of any more
slave States or slave territory.
o. That we recommend the introduction
into all treaties hereailsr to be negotiated
between the United States and foreign ma.
tions, Of some provision for the amicable set
element of difficulties by aresort to decisive
-r'ts'|r,
mi. r.. l.