The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-08-31
wrLxor AT HOME.

The Laporte PA Democrat contains a re-
port of the proceedings of large mass meet
ing of Democrats, held at Forks of Loyal Shock,
Sullivan county, on the 10th of August Henry
E. Shipman presided
Hon. David Wilmot was called upon, and
addressed the assembly in speech of three
hours, and was listened to with the greatest
attention. He showed, from history and the
debates in the Convention which framed the
Constitution, that the framers Of our Govern
ment never intended to recognise Slavery as a
national institution. He contrasted the opin-
ions of jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Jackson,
and many other Democrats of the early days
of the Republic, with the present race of party
Democrats, whose principles are to get office.
T. ]. Ingham presented a series of resolu-
tions, and moved their adoption. The follow
ing are among them:
Resolved That we have no reason to believe
that Gov Bigler agrees with us in any point
connected with the question of Slavery now
agitated; we know he recommended the pas
sage of a law allowing Shareholders to carry
their slaves through this State; we know he
endorses the Fugitive Slave Law, which tram
Piles upon his personal rights; we know his
election would be regarded in every part of the
Union as triumph of the allies of Slavery; and
as those who are not for as, in this matter, are
emphatically against as, VIC declare Gov Big
Ter unworthy of our support.
Resolved, That inasmuch as Judge Pollock
has declared explicitly that he is in favor of
re-enacting the Law which prohibited Slavery
in territories north of thirty-six degrees and
thirty minutes north latitude, and also in favor
of the manumssion of any slaves illegally held
there, he occupies position 90 much moro just
and liberal than Gov. Bigler, that without en-
dorsing the cautious address of the Wing Gen.
trail Committee) we esteem it our duty to give
Judge Pollock our full and active support in the
coming election.
Resolved, That as the Constitution of the
United States declares it was made in order to
establish justice, insure domestic tranquility,
provide for the common defence, promote the
general welfare, and secure the blessings of lib
erty to ourselves and our posterity,' any article
in the Constitution which is construed to de-
mand laws subversive of these ends is falsely
construed, and must be understood in such m an
ner as makes it harmonic with the spirit and
intention of the whole instrument.
RESOLVED, That the Fugitive Slave Law le-
galizes injustice, produces domestic turmoil,
weakens our power for common defence, pro-
notes general discomfort, and, while it takes
the whole liberty of the fugitive black man, it
violently infringes upon our liberties, by for
bidding US to obey some of the most plain and
essential portions of the Bible, by demanding
our personal assistance in violent, inhuman
proceedings, which the laws of our State do
not recognise and our own conscienees con-
denim - enforcing these provisions with fnee
and Imprisonment and therefore we declare
the Fugitive Slave Law uncalled for by the
Constitution, and unjust, and demand its re-
peal.
RESOLVED, That we desire the North NAV be
entirely free from the faint of Slavery, and we
will 90 as far as our constitutional jurisdiction
extends, to make this land truly che land of
the free.'"
The question on the passage of the resolu-
tons was taken by rising vote. The whole
assembly voted for tho resolutions = not one
against them.
The President appointed Thomas J. IDghana,
Levi Rogers, and J. P. Taggart, a committee to
recommend suitable candidate for Congress,
to be supported at the noxs election.
We observe that call is out for another
meeting of Democrats, 30 called, a. the same
place, on the 3Oth, ito indicate the Democratic
party from the charge made against it by tho
Hon. David Wilmot, of being the Slavery
Propaganda Democracy" and of defining tho
true position of the party on the Slavery ques-
tion." This will be remarkable achieve
mentl