Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-09-10

constitutionality and more doubtful expectancy,
TO the end that our people may be relieved
from burthensome taxation and be suffered to
enjoy the rewards Of honest and honorable
labor.
" Resoloed, That while our Wing opponents
have always proved themselves TO be bad and
unsuccessful administrators of our financial
affairs, adopting prodigal and often corrupt
system of public expenditures, leading to dis
honor and discredit, 1t behooves us TO look well
to the preservation of our agencies in that de-
partment, and to repudiate and discharge all
unfaithful stewards in our household, it any
such obtain admittance therein.
" ReSolced, That we favor the free distribu-
ton of the public lands in limited portions as
homesteads among citizens and other persons
who shall have declared their intentions to be-
come citizens, subject TO the condition OF in
alienableness and occupation that the opin-
ions which prevailed in the enactment of the
homestead bills of New Mexico and Oregon
are entertained by us in common with the
Democratic masses of the Union, and that we
request our State legislatures to instruct our
Senator'S in Congress to advocate the passage
of such measure, and we respectfully invite
the Democracy of other. States to procure
similar action by their State legislatures.
"Resolced, That the administration of Gov
ernor Seymour has been conducted in confor-
nifty with the principles of the party which
elevated him to the position which he has so
honorably filled, and that his great talents and
large knowledge of public affairs his integrity,
and the frmness which he hos developed at an
important crisis, command our admiration, and
entitle him to our gratitude"
After the resolutions were read, and before
they we're acted upon, Abijah Mann presented
the following as a minority report, signed by
three members of the committee, to wit Mr..
WEIGH, Judge Ellsworth, and himself:
"Resolped, AS the sense of this convention,
respecting the Democracy Of this State, that
we unqualifedly disapprove of the repeal, by
the present Congress, of the section of the act
commonly known as the Missouri Compromise,
where slavery is permitted to extend over un-
organized Territories indefinitely, as violation
alike of legislation, good faith, the national
honor, the spirit of the age, and the Christian
civilization and liberty of which we boast"
The resolution of Mr.. Mann was heartily
supported by Preston King, who repudiated
the Baltimore platform on the ground of the
great wrong that had since been committed in
the passage of the Nebraska bill and, on the
adoption of the resolutions of the committee, he
declared his unwillingness longer to act with
the convention. The same course was pur-
sued by numbers of other delegates. The
second resolution, having reference TO the pas.
sage of the Nebraska bill, was adopted, by
vote of 245 to 49, g7a
On the last evening of the session, Abijah
Mann offered four additional resolutions, to the
following purport
The first asserts the power of Congress to
make all needfnl regulations for the Territories,
and its bounden duty to provide against the
extension and establishment of slavery therein.
"The second disclaims interference with
slavery by national legislation,a as it must abide
where it exists till our brethren shall wisely
discover and apply the proper remedy.
"The third declares that in this age of free
dom of thought opinion, discussion and pro-
gress, we cannot assent to the insertion with
our political creed that American slavery and
its extension into free country is politically,
morally or commercially beneficial, or in con-
formity with the principle of Christian civiliza-
| ton.
The fouI,h declares that we deem ourselves
absolved from all obligations, if any existed, to
admit more slave States into this confederacy."
The resolutions we're laid on the table by a
vote of 222 to LOG, which induced Mr.. Mann to
withdraw from the convention. After making
the nominations, which met with considerable
opposition, the convention adjourned sine die.