Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1853-06-11
The New England Anti-Slavery Convention,
ABRIDGED, FROM THE LIBERAroR.

ABRIDGED, FROM THE LIBERAToR.
The twentieth annual .NelC England Anti
Slavery Conuention assembled in the Meode-
OH, Boston, on Wednesday, May %, aud was
called to order at 10 o'clock by FRANCIS
JACKSON, President OF the Massachusetts An-
ti-Slavery Society.
On motion, the following persons were
chosen Committee, to nominate officers for
this Convention: Samuel May, Jr., John 4.
Hilton aud JOHN NJ. Spear.
Prayer was offered 10y John NJ. Spear, of
Boston.
While the Committee on the organization
of the Convention were out, Henry c. Wright
asked leave TO offer the following resolu-
tions -
!. Resolved, Thnt to vote under the Con-
stitution of the United Suites is to vote for
that Constitution, and for every principle
and measure therein contained.
Whereas, the Constitution provides (l.)
TINT human beings may I've represented us
property in the government--(2Dha they may
he seized and reduced to slavery Oh each mud
every foot of territory over which the gov
ernment holds jurisdiclion-nnd t3.) that the
government may he used 10 prevent slaves
from gaining their liberty by flight or 10y arms;
therefore,
3 Resolved, That all who vote under the
Constitution of the United Siates vote for
those provisions in favor of slavery nnd
against liberty.
Whereas, shareholders are component parts
of this conlederncy, aud hive a right to an
equal share la its offices, its honOrs and emol-
unents; aud whereas, the government is
based Oh the principle that the majority shull
rule; therefore,
3. Resolved, That all who vote under the
Constitution, vote for the shareholders right
to obtain that majority, aud thus TO get the
control of the government, and to WELD il
for the support mud perpetuiiy of slavery to
the full extent of what they deem their con-
sttuliunnl power.
A. Resolved, That oil such voters, by en-
tering into political union with slavehold-
ers, virtually pledge themselves to them, TINT
if they do get the control of the government,
in constitutional way, they will not resist
the execution of any law they, as the major
iIy, shall see fit to pass in favor of slavery
but that they will obey il, or peacefully sub
nit TO any penalty until the majority can he
consltutionally changed in favor OF liberty.
8. That TO usscrt the Constitution is an
anti.slavery document, and That it was not
designed and does not intend, in any of its
provisions, to secure shareholders in their
right of property in their slaves, is 10 give
the lie to the Convention that formed That
instrument; to the uniform decisions of It's
authorised expOunders, the judges of the
Supreme Court TO the uniform testimony
Of the legislative and executive houses
of the government, and to the facts
Of history, so for us they bear on this
question.
&. That those who thus construe the Con-
siilulion, while they remain in the Union, hs
pnrts of its governing power, are guilty of
ireachery 10 their slaveloldng couiederntes,
inasinuch as these were given to understand
that instrument as favoring and securing
their rights Us Shareholders, aud inasnuch MS
they would not have entered into the coned-
erucy, had they ever thought the Con-
sttulitution was 10 receive an anti slavery
construction.
| Whereas, in his recent discussion with
Wendell Phillips, Horace Mann declares
that an oath to support the Constitution is TO
be received as God, being party to the ontII,
sees il to he understood by the person innk-
ing il; therefore,
2. Resolved, That we enter our earnest
protest against such construction of Oaths,
as n sanction of the principle of mental re-
servatious.
s. Resolved, That TO give our oath TO slave
holders that we will help them execute the
Constitution in favor of slavery, provided
they, hdUing The majority, shall so interpret IL,
aud then to violate our oath when they ac-
tunIy do get the majority, aud do thus con-
strue il, is to swear to do what we have no
Intention of doing, and thus To commit per-
Jury with intent To deceive.
Mr.. Wright spoke nt some length in sup
port of these resolutions.
james N. Butlum inquired il Abolilionisls
aud Free Soiers did not stand on precisely
the same footing, with regard to agreeing to
execute aud obey the laws, or suffer the pen
atty of disobedience.
Mr.. Wright replied, that the Free Soiler,
by his vote, agrees that the laws md the
/ Constitution shall be executed as the slave
holders wish, if they 1.-The savehodersl get
the majority. The Aboliiiouist agrees To no
such thing, aud refuses to become partner
to my such arrangement.
Mr.. Davis, of Manchester, N. H., wished
to append another resolution To Mr.. Wrights
series, to the effect that we have no right to
lire in this country, ms we cannot do so with
out paying taxes &C., and so helping TO sup
port the Constitution and Government.