The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-09-29

!
use of thom in several parts of this lecture where he
may have omitted referring to them.
(3D Lib. ], Tit g
a. Stith, 1872.
(5j DIR. Belknap's Answers to St. George Tucker $
queries.
o. LetteSfrom Zephania Swift to ST. G. Tucker.
a. Dr. Bslknap Zcphaniah Swift
lS) Ibid.
fro BE CONTINUED
MASSACHUSETTS, FREE DEMOCRATIC STATE
CONVENTION.
SEPTEMBER, Is.
Hon. Francis W. BIRD, from the Committee
on Resolutions, reported the following series.
which were read amid hearty applause, and
unanimously adopted:
Resolved That the grand object of the Free
| Democracy is to annihiate the influence of the
slave power 10 the Federal Government; and
thereby prevent the extension, lessen the evils
and hasten the extinction of Slavery in Amer.
lea.
| Resolved, That Slavery is the creature of To-
cal law, and that the United States have moth
ing to do with it, except to limit discourage
and prohibitit to the utmost eItsnt of their con-
stitutional power.
Resolved, That the slave power was never
more bold than now in its attempts to prey
upon the civilization of America and that its
schemes of violence and conquest abroad, and
of complete dominion at home are worthy only
of barbarOus ages and are perilOus to the ex-
istence Of the Republic.
RESOLVED, That as long as she holds race
in chains, America will be shorn of her infiu-
ence among the nations; and that she owes it
to the struggling millions of the old world to
abandon the sbhorrent practices which Slavery
demands, and which are driving her to the side
of the allied oppressors.
Resolved, That the necessities Of commerce
and civilization require the speedy construction
of railroad uniting the Atlantic and Pacific
oceans by the route which shall best meet the
wants of the country apd the age and we pro-
test against the attempts of Southern polit-
clans to engage the National Government in
the construction of such road southwark of
the centre Of population and of the lines of
travel and emigration, mainly for the purpose
of extending and perpetuating slavery.
RESOLVED, That We cannot assemble in a po-
litcal convention, as members Of party as
citizens, or az men, without reiteratng to the
country and to the world our utter adherence
of the American Fugitive Slave Bill-a bill
which insults the sovereignty of the States
tramples upon the rights OF the citizen, outrages
every sentiment Of humanity, and violates the
law of God; and while it remains upon the
statute book, deservedly presents our country
as a by.word and reproach among the nations
Resolved, That the noble act of Commander
lngraham in protecting Hungarian fugitive
from Austrian slavery, has gloriously illustra-
ted the original spirit in which the stars and
stripes were cOnsecrated to the service and de-
fence of liberty and we hail it as the first sign
of promise, that the sympathies and influence
Of our Government abroad are hereafter to DO
manifested in favor Of rcpublioanism and not
of absolutism--of the oppressed and not of the
Resolved, That while the paramount object
Of the Free Democracy is to destroy the infu-
ence of the slave power, still not only to give
efficiency to our national organization, but be-
cause We believe in State rights, and owe State
duties we recognise the importance of u well.
defined platform Of liberal, truly Democratic
State policy. Therefore,
Resolved, That We are in favor of such sys-
tenn Of State Government, and such legislation
under it, as shall accomplish these, amoBg other
objects:
/. The limitation of Executive power and
patronage.
2. Tho election of all officers, as far as prac.
ticable, by the people; and the direct reponsi
bility Of all public servants to tho people.
3. Such legislation as shall secure the great
end OF Government viz: the protection of the
rights of each individual against Infringement
alike from other individuals and from the
State and while it preserves to capitalists
rights, with the fewest possible privileges shall
guaranty 70 labor its rewards with the iewest
possible burdens, and which, by protecting the
working classes from the inordidate demands
of capital, as 10 their hours of labor, shall Sc
cure to them enlarged means and opportuni.
ties for intellectual, moral, and religious in,-
provement
A. General laws for all, instead of special
laws for the privileged few
5. A sound and safe currency, with ample
security, for the redemption of all notes in
specie.
6. Limitation of the length of the sessions OF
the Legislature, and the reduction of it's ex-
penses.
T. The abolition Of the property qualitica-
ton for the offices Of Governor and Lieut.. Gov
ernor
8. The guaranty of the elective franchise, as
a right belonging to freemen, and not priv
lege to be bought of superiors or conferred on
vassals
3 The invloabe secrecy of the ballot
10. The restoration OF Harvard College 10
the purposes of its foundation. The college
founded by the people of Massachusetts, and
sustained to great extent by their money,
should be dcseted to their interests. and re-
sponslble, like the other colleges of the State,
to their representatives.
ii. The enlargement of the School Fund
and its preservation "inviolate; and the income
thereof to be annually appropriated for the aid
and Improvement of the common schools of the
State and for no other purpose
IL. The election of Senators in single dis.
tricts of the people.
10 The division of large cities into repre.
sentative districts, thus abolshing the unjust
ana anti democratic general ticket system.
IA. The holding of the Presidential and
state elections on the same day
10. The right of the people to call a conyen-
ton tor the revision Of their Constitution with
out being controlled by iactous minority ac.
cidentally in majority in the Legislature.
10 The writ of habeas corpus as a right
~. The restoration to uries of the right OF
winch the courts have attempted to deprive
them--the right in criminal cases to Judge Of
the law without which jury trial ceases to be
the boosted palladium OF our liberties.
To- The abolition Of the imprisonment of
honest debtors.
~ The non-appropriation of public moneys
10 the support Of sectaran schools.
RESOLVED, Therefore, that We are in favor of