The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-01-27
THE INDEPENDENT DEMOCRACY OF OHIO,

Held its State Convention at Columbus, jan
uary 10, 1853. President, Jacob Brinkerhoff
Vice Presidents, Thomas Lee and Adams Jew
EFT Secretaries, James Walker, A. N. Shep.
hard and Conrad Mann. A committee OF
seven, of which Judge Spalding was chairman,
reported a series of resolutions, as follows:
a. That slavery, wherever it exists, is sin
against God, and a crime against man, and
will sooner or later destroy any people Or Gov
eminent which upholds or perpetuates it.
~. That as Congress has no power to create
or sanction slavery, and az the Constitution of
tie United States expressly denies to the Gen
eral Government all power to deprive any
person of life, liberty, or property, without
dueprocesso of law = therefore, wherever slavery
or the slave trade exists by enactments of Con-
gress, or of Legislatures deriving their powers
from the General Government it is clearly in
violation of said Constitution and ought imme-
datey to cease.
49, That the Federal Government ia one of
limited powers, derived solely from the Consti-
tuition, and the grants of power therein ought
Soe strictly construed, by all the departments
s1i agents of the Government that there is
nOpower granted therein to pass laws for the
return OF fugitive slaves, and that the Fugitive
NAVE Act OF 1850 is repugnant to the Consti-
luton, to the principles of the common law, to
the spirit OF Christianity, and to the sentiments
Of the civilized world, and has not been. and
cannot be generally enforced and, like all
other unconstitutional and unchristian laws. il
DOT binding upon the people, and ought to be
recalled.
4. That the doctrine that any human law
sa hnality, and not subject to modification or
repeal, is not in accordance with the creed of
the founders of our Government, and il dan.
gerous to the liberties of the people and that
one congress cannot make compromises bind
ing upon future Congresses.
- That it is the duty of the General Gov
eminent while moving strictly within its con-
N'0tlonal powers, and exercising no doubtful
ones to exert it's influence on the side of free
a0m 10 this and all other lands
70 That every nation has a clear right to
alter or change its own Government, and to
administer its own concerns, in such manner
%may best secure the rights and promote the
happiness Of the people; and foreign interfer-
eace with that right is dangerous violation
the law of nations, against which all indie
iendent. Governments should protest, and en-
u"or by all proper means TO prevent and
of"cialiy is it the duty Of the American Gov
ernment representing the chief Republic of the
world TO protest against, and by all proper
means 70 prevent, the Intervention of Kings and
c g.. against nations seeking to- establish
ernments. VI 0o'''''""o""' WV
nat while the Federal Government
anJ c, lea,'.niuy adhere to the laws Of nations,
a"u ,ein' lts treaty obligations, and should not
,n Id the internal affairs Of other ma.
%o;lS YET ~ ls the right and privilege of every
.''zcn OF the United States to leave bis conn.
ny and 70 where he pleases and, upon his own
sSponslblllty, aid any people whatever in
throwing off the shackles of TYRANNY and es.
%%Ohsiiihg free institutions for themselves. and
mat the Federal Government has no right 10
prevent HIM from thus acting
:; That one of the most happy features Of
vT Government 10 its capacity OF expansion
' aae that it is both the dictate Of duty and O.
lucy 70 open our arms To receive under our
Salonal flag any people on this continent OF
%sSdJacent islands, who form Republican
hno'ernment based upon the principles of the
Sci Sge.arat'on of Independence but that we will
~ now and cvermOre against the admission
S more mo, slave States or slave territory.
ia, mat We recommend the introduction
," AZ Treaties hereafter to be negotiated be-
ecu The United States and foreign nations
%Ine provision for the amcable settlement
e. a'n'cult'es by a resort to decisive srbitra.
r.. 49," mat freedom Of speech and of the
g. are 'nestmable rights, guaranteed by the
Ana ut'on, necessary safeguards of liberty.
A.. we VIII ever war against their being over.
lnh or curtailed by the enactment Of any
e''a''ve body or political Convention.
II: That all men have natural right IN
portion Of the soil, and that as the uss Of ,h y,
q ,ho Indispensable to life the right Of all men
Alr sui rs as sacred a. their right to life it.
az That the public lands of the United
slJ belong to the people, and should not lie
lat y. ~ individuals nor granted u corporations.
Larss.o uid be held a. sacred trust for the
Im;,aat OF the people, and should be granted in
u.,s Quantities, free Of cost, 10 lsndlew set
D,,S mat a sound administrative policy de-
Gus mat the funds Of the General and State
i pst,nai he kept separate from banking
.bo,',aons, that inland and ocean hostage
and ~ be reduced 70 the lowest pousible point,
thai ~" The ranking privilege be abolished |;
tso more revenue should be raised than Ia
p.p."d 70 defray strictly the necessary az.
pqLl;e o. the public service and 70 nav OF the
as &c uebt and that the power and ustron.
81 ~ me Government should be di.,,c;.hAd
siiss abolition OF all unnecessary oisicss. AL
and priyileyes and h. ~ ,..1