Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1853-01-19
Free Soil state Conventon.

For Judge of Supreme Court-RSuBRS HI1eI-
COCK;
For Secretary of State-Wm. r. GRAHAM;
For Treasurer. of ofState--JoHs Wesley CHAT
FIN;
For Attorney General-CoopER K. WATsoS:
For Board Of Public Works-ALoszo A. BrArR.
We understand that the committee on resoIu-
tons made majority and minority report which
would seem to indicate that that party is not nj
together harmonious in regard to its principles;
that though they denounce compromises, even
a large number of the Free Soilers are compelled
to sacrifice their own views and opinions in order
to maintain the unity of their organization.
The following are the resolutions adopted:
Resolutions adopted By The Free Democracy of Ohio,
an COnuention, at Columbus Jan. 70, 1853.
/. That slavery, where yer it exists, is a sin
against God, and crime against man, and will
sooner or later destroy anypeople orGovernment
which upholds or perpetuates it.
2. That as Congress has no power to create
or sanction slavery, and the Constitution of
the United States expressly denies to the Gener-
al Government all power to deprive any "person
of life, liberty, property without due process of
law" therefore, wherever slavery or the slave
trade exists by enactment of Congress, or Of Leg
islatures deriving their powers from the General
Government, it is clearly in violation of said CEN
stitution, and ought Immediately to cease.
8. That the Federal Government is one of
limited powers, derived solely from the Constitu-
ton, and the grants of power therein ought to be
strictly construed, by all the departments and
agents OF the Government; that there 10 no power
granted therein to pass laws for the return of f-
gitive slaves, and that the Fugitive Slave Act of
1850 is repugnant to the constitution to the prin-
ciples OF the common law, to the spirit of Chris
tianity, and to the sentiments of the civilized
world. and has not been, and cannot be general
ly enforced; and. like all other unconstitutional
and unchristian laws, is not binding upon the
people, and ought to be repealed.
f. That the doctrine that any human law is
fnalty, 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 lib
critics of the people; and that one Congress can
not make compromises binding upon future Con-
crosses.
5. That it is the duty of the General Govern
ment, while moving strictly within its constitu-
tional powers, exercising no doubtful ones, to
exert its influence on the side Of freedom in this
and all other lands.
6. That every nation has clear right to alter
or change its own government, and to admins
ter its own concerns, in such manner as may best
secure the rights and promote the happiness of
the people; foreign interference with that right 10
dangerous violation of the law of nations,
against which all 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
Republic of the World, to protest against, and by
all proper means to prevent the Intervention OF
Kings and Emperors against nations seeking to es-
tablish for themselves republican constitution
| al governments.
!. That while the federal Cove rument should
s.; A. c,,li. Al,
Its treaty obligations and should not interfere
in the internal affairs of other nations, yet it is
the right and privilege of every citizen of the
Uuited States to leave his country and go whero
he pleases, andlapoR his responsibility, aid any
people whatever, in throwing off the shackles Of
tyranny, and establishing free institutions for
themselves and that the Federal Government
has no right to prevent him from thus acting.
8. That one of the most happy features Of our
Government is its capacity of expansion,an and that
it is both the dictate of duty and of true policy, to
open our arms to receive under our National flag
any people ON this continent, or its adjacent is-
lands, who form Republican Government based
upon the principles of the Declaration of Inde-
pendence; but that we will fight now and for>vor
against the admission of any more slave States
slave territory.
8. That we recommend the introduction into
all treaties hereafter to be negotiated between
the United States and foreign nations, Of some
provision for the anicabie settlement of Difficult
ties by resort to decisive arbitration.
10. That freedom of speech, and of the press
are inestimable rights, guaranteed by the consti-
tuition, necessary safeguards of liberty, and we
will ever war against their being oyerthrown or
curtailed by the enactments of any Legislative
body or political Conversation.
IL. That all men have natural right to q
portion of the SOIL and that as the use of the soil
is indispensable to fe the right of all men to the
soil is sacred as their right to life itself. ~
IL. That the Public Lands of the United
States belong to the people, and should not be
sold to individuals nor granted to corporations,
but should be held as sacred trust for the bene-
fit of the people, and should be granted in limited
quantities, free of cost, to landless settlers.
13. That sound administrative policy, de-
mands that the funds of the General and State
Governments be kept separate from banking in
stitutions; that inland and ocean postage should
bereduced to the lowest possible point, and that
the franking privilege be abolished; that no more
revenue should be raised than is required to deray
strictly the necessary expenses of the public ser
vice and to pay off the public debt; and that the
power and patronage of the government should
be diminished by the abolition of all unnecessary
Offices, salaries and privileges; and by the clec-
ton by the people of all civil officers in the SER
vice OF the United States, SO far as may be con-
sistent with the prompt and efficient transaction
of the public business.
IA. That River and Harbor improvements,
when necessary to the safety and convenience OF
commerce with foreign nations or among the sew
eral States, are objects of National concern, and
it is the duty of Congress, in the exercise of its
constitutional powers,t to provide for the same.
Is. That the emigrants and exiles from tho
Old World should find cordial welcome to homes
of comfort and fields of enterprise in the New;and
every attempt to abridge their privileges of be-
coming citizens and owners of the soil among us,
ought to be resisted with infexible determination.
l6 That the property of individuals and Of
corporations should be taxed equally.