Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1854-05-04
.GBt RaiIgl Sui
THURSDAY, MAY A, 1854.
Nebraska Emigration Convention.

The meeting was called to order at the City
Hall at half past ten o'clock, and after the
transaction of the usual preliminary business
and the appointment of committee on reso-
olutions, the time was occupied by the mem
bers of the convention in an informal discus
sion upon the whole subject, in its various de-
tails, and the convention adjourned to half
past one o'clock.
In the afternoon, the committee appointed to
nominate permanent officers, reported the
name ofJohr Milton, Earle as President of the
Convention, and A. A. Cleveland of New Sa-
lem as Secretary.
The committee on resolutions then offered
the following series Of
RESOLVES. ....
Whereas, the danger is imminent and pressing that
slavery will succeed in its audacious determined as.
saults upon Freedom, and by repeal Of the Missouri
Compromise subject the fertile territories Of Me-
braska and Kansas to its bghtng and desoatng inu-
ences, therefore, $685.
Resolusd, that is the right and the duty of the peo-
pie Of the free States to neutrze the efforts Of the slave
power and its nofhern confederates by the Immediate
occupancy Of these territories with men hostile to slavery
and in favor of basing the Institutions of those territories
upon the great principles embodied the Declaration Of
ResoiUed, that whatever may be the final action of
Congress upon the Nebraska Bill called now under con-
sderatou that we ought not leave the territories
they are We OUGHT by acting in the territories by our
emgrants in the territories by our moral nu nee in the
territories by the territories to continue there
the contest Of Freedom, until It's and final triumph
secured therein
ResotUed that regard systematic and united effort
to COLOMBO in these territories labor and free nst
TONS as the best and most certain of guarding
them against the encroachments Of slavery propagandsm
and that we hail with pleasure all the movements now in
progress having reference such an object whether in
the west or IN the east whether they have their origin
among the sons 81 the Pilgrims, those fugves from the
oppression Of other lands who resolved fight against
slavery in all its FORMS in the country their adoption
RESOLVED, That inasmuch many persons in all parts
OF Massachusetts, have sgned their desire unite in
an Emgrans League for the purpose locating them
selves and their families in the territories that
expeden TO form, as practicable an association
Of this kind, and that until such time all per-
sons desous of joining in such plan of emigration be
quesed to send their names and addresses Committee
OF this Convention that estimate may be formed Of
the extent of the desire in favor such emigration under
such auspices, and preliminary step to the organiza-
ton Of the first New England Company of Nebraska and
Resofved, That the incorporation Of an migrants Aid
Society," by the Legislature of Massachusetts, with view
to directing systematic emigration these territories,
upon gigantic SCALE noble step the right direction
and that we have the fullest confidence that that society
wiz be powerful instrument in advancing the Of
freedom and humanity.
ResolUed That such efforts as are now being made by
this ami kindred societies introduce free labor and free
institutions the virgin soil of these territories must
command the sympathy of freemen and Christians the
world overthat it must to the full the zeal of all
who are embarked in it who would labor, not only ad
venturers in land but the pilgrims who were the
pioneers there ola great principle.
Resolved That it would be as unjust as it would be
unpoc in laborng for the perfection Of great and good
object 10 do any thing not in accordance with the prin
cpes Of true Christianity attain our object and that so
far as influence extend, the natural and guar
ansed rights of the inhabitants shabe sacred
ly regarded
Rev. Edward E. Hale, of this city, made
an eloquent speech in support of the resolu-
tons, more especially upon the one referring
to the Euigrant s Aid Society.
He said that in consequence of the illness
| of Eli Thayer, Esq, of Worcester, who had
been chiefly instrumental in putting that vast
enterprise of benevolence on foot, that gentle
man was unable to be present at the conven-
ton, but feeling very deep interest in the en-
terprise, and sincere desire to promote its OBJ
jects in every proper way, he had come to the
convention for the purpose Of impartihg such
information in regard in the plans and pur-
poses of the migrants Aid Society, as had
come to his knowledge.
As yet no organization had been effected by
that Society under its charter, but on Thurs
day that business would be accomplished, a
meeting having been called for that purpose.
Mr.. Hale then went on to name some of the
advantages which that Society hoped to afford
to emigrants.
Hesaid thatit was not based upon the idea
that the Corporation would stand between the
emigrant and the government, in the purchase
of land. 1t did not intend to speculate in that
way, but rather to extend freedom domain by
assisting free men to settle It. One direct
and practical stepit would take, would be to
advertise for proposals to take 10000 emil
grants in companies of not less than 200 each,
from the Eastern cities, to the sites chosen by
endigrants for their future homes. 1t was cal
culated that by systemized arrangement. fam
lilies could be taken to the territories, at half
the usual expense, and that they would not
be exposed to the delays, privations, and i'm
positions, to which individuals, and smaller
bodies are subjected. Again, the Society viii
select by its agents, suitable localities for set
Elements, and upon them would erect spacious
boarding houses for the accommodation Of the
emigrants as they arrived, where they could OBJ
tain shelter and food at the lowest rates until
their habitauons could be erected. Thus the
emigrant and his household would be guarded
against the dangers of exposure always Incl
dent to new settlement in the wilderness
1t would also come within the province of the
Society to send out steam engines, saw-mius.
grist-mills, printing presses, and other such
implements as might be necessary, SO that the
community would not be obliged to wait for
these articles to be introduced by individual
enterprise, but would have them at the COM
mencement of their settlement when most
needed. Agents Of the Society too would be
always upon the spot, ready to furnish all
needed information to new corners, and assist
them in the location of their homes. Other
agents would also accompany each delegation
Of emigrants as guides.
It was estimated from the interest which the
movement had created in the public mind and
from tie number known to have sign;fed
their intention of emigrating to those terrific
ries that at least 1000 Massachusetts, men
would be in Kansas before the closing of the
present year. Information had been received
that as many as 10000 Norwegians and
Swedes would leave their homes the present
eeason IN saeh an nsvlufn amnno ra And Il