The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-06-08
INDEPENDENT DEkOcRATIC STATE CoEVEN.
TON IN MASSACHUSETTS,

TON IN MASSACHUSETTS
This Convention met IN Boston, at the Music
Hall, on the 3lst uIt A vast audience was in
attendance and the interest of the proceedings
was enhanced by the scene then being enacted
at the Court House.
MIR Bird, chairman, OF the State Committee,
calling the Convention to order, said that it
was not it's purpose to operate specially upon
the Fugitive Case, but to organize the Anti
Slavery sentiment Of the Commonwealth, and
make it effectual against the Slave Power.
| While the Committee on Nominations was
preparing a list Of officers, Joshua X. Giddinga
was loudly called for. He responded in briei
speech, in which, after some pungent illusions
to the trial going on in sight of Bunker Hill,
he spoke encouragingly of the prospects of the
Anti Slavery Cause.
even men, unexpected, stood up in the
halls of Congress and represented this feeling.
There were no better men there than Kttredge
and Morrison of New Hampshire-they are
even almost ready to swear they never belong
ed to the Democratic party. There was one
universal feeling at Washington among North
ern mon for unanimous action upon the Slave
fdent of the speedy triumph Of free sentiment
than at the present time, though he never
heretofore had seen an instance where the
National Executive had set himself against the
Wishes of the North without success He then
alluded by instances to the powerful influence
that the Administration exercised in behalf of
the Nebraska bill. He recommended the dri-
wing out Of these men from the hishes. to the
lowest, by uniting our votes upon only those
known TO be liberty-loving men. Congressman
have been bought and sold st q much cheaper
price than black men are knocked off in the
South"
The Committee on Nominations reported o
list of officers for the Convention, which was
unanimously accepted. Theophius P. Chand-
Ter, of Boston, was chosen President, assisted
by numerous Vice Presidents; and, on taking
the chair, made few stirring remarks.
A Committee OIL Resolutions having been
appointed, John p. Hale, in response to an en-
thusiastic CALL addressed the meeting. He
called upon the Convention to pass no new res.
outions but enforce the old ones. Boston, ia
I76s, when che had bat 1000 people, passed
resolution that the Stamp Act should not be
enforced-and IL 1cGs not enforced. Much had
been said about resort to violence. The vio-
lcnce he recommended was the violence Of the
| ballot-box
"If we have any purpose, let Us enforce it at
the ballot-box. Let US not longer suffer this
institution to tyrannZe over US under the
shadow of Bunker Hill. IL the spirits Of the
departed have any cognizance over what is
transporting here, what must be the feelings of
those who, on the 18th Of June, 1875, vindica-
ted their sincerity by their death, when told
that the shalt erected over their bones, as the
sun strikes it, sends its shadow over city,
where the habeas corpus and all other safe
guards of liberty are trampled in the dust"
The Committee on Resolutions reported the
following:
Resolved That in this crisis, when liberty
| seems doomed to utter destruction, unless the
whole North is rallied to her defence, the Free
Democracy are willing to relnquish all party
considerations TO forget all past hostilities, to
disregard all minor differences, to sacrifice
every thing bat their principles, in order TO Sc
cure an effectual union Of true men against the
mighty conspiracy Of Shareholders and dough
faces that now threatens to overthrow the
peace the honor, and the Free Institutions of
the country.
Resolved That so much Of the Kansas and
Nebraska Act az abrogates the Missouri Gem
promise must be repealed.
RESOLVED, That Slavery in the District of Co
lumbia, must be abolished
ResoiUed, That Slavery must be prohibited
in all the Territories Of the United States both
in th Use to be acquired and in those already
established
RsSolUed, That all new States must be free
States
ResolpeJ, That Cuba, if it comes into the
Union must come in free.
Resolved That the independence of Hayti
must be acknowledged.
RESCUED. That the rights of our colored
citizens going to other States, must be pro-
tected.
RtSolved That every man has right to
himself and therefore no man can own another
! man.
"R.solved, That the Fugitive Slave Bill is
destitute of every attribute of justice or hu-
mainly, is at war with the spirit of Libarty
with the principles of Law, with the purposes
of the Constitution, with the best feelings of
mankind, and ought therefore to be at once
| forever repealed.
ResolUed, That Massachusetts, has the con-
stitutiopsl right, and it is her imperative duty,
to enact laws which shall protect the personal
freedom of all her citizens and secure the
right of trial by jury under all circumstances
involving the question of human liberty"
Mr.. Giddings then took the floor, and ad-
dressed the Convention in speech, not vet
reported. He was followed by Henry Wilson,
in most fervent appeal for the union of true
mcn against the Slave Power. We have room
only for extracts from his speech.
81 wish to be understood here, to-day, in re-
gard to our position. We are ready to act
with Democrats or Wings to carry out our
principles. We will forget organizations; We
will go into the rear; we will do the work; if
there Is forlorn hope 10 be led, we will
lead 1t, and others may fill tie places of honor,
if they will only be true to our principles
lgreat cheering; but our principles mus. be
engraved on their hearts, and written On their
forcheads; and they must live by them forever.
Renewed cheering
'The first duty we owe to the country is
to cxterminate-to ertermindte--the forty. four
| Northern traitors in the House Of Representa-
tives a. Washington. Enthusiastic plaudits.
"Our next duty is 10 sustain those Repre-
sentatiyes from the North who voted against
this Nebraska iniquity, and who will pledge
themselves to the country and the world, that
it shall be repealed IApplaussl
"Then, we mean to repeal the Fugitive Slave
Bill, Enthusiastic cheering.l No man must
represent the free States Of the Union, unless