Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1854-03-03
State Convention on the Me-
braska Bill.
MONTPELIER. A

State Convention on the Me-
braska Bill.
MONTPELIER, Marcn2. 1854.
Pursuant to call 10 the opponents, ire
spectve of party distinction. Of the proposed
abrogation of the Missouri act, forever pro
hibiting slavery in the territory acquired
from France north Of SO : 30, State Con-
vention assembled this day at Montpelier,
and was called to order by Hon. GEoReE w.
BAILrr,and temporarily organized by the up
pointment of Hon. WV FRENcH, President.
Secretaries.
ON motion of Hon. ID. p. Thompson, a
committee of three was appointed by the
chair, TO nominate officers of the convention,
consisting Of Hon. d. ?. Thompson, F.F.
Merrill and James Green.
On motion of Hon. VIM P. Briggs, a COM
miitee of seven was appointed by the chair
to report resolutions. consisting of Hon. w.
p. Briggs, +. f. Merrill, S. S. Adams. s.
NJ. Bigelow, E. p. Walton, Jr., G. c. Samp-
son and II. b. Stacy.
The committee to nominate officers report
ed The following, which report was accept.
ed and adopted, to-wit:
Hon. WV. FRENCH, of Chitienden CO.,
President.
Hon. X. r. KEiTH df Washington,
II. b. STACY, Of Chittenden,
NJ NJ. DAVIS, of Windsor, ";
). NJ. BiGELow, Of Orange, NJ
A. w. CALDWELL, of Lamoille,
JoHS MCLEAN, of Caledonia, "'"'
WV. TRAsK, OF Essex,
l.. p. WALTON, JR.of Washington, ! .,
4. WEIGH, of Rutland.
On motion Of Hon. VIM. ?. Briggs, on
invitation by the President, the Rev. Mr..
Hand led the convention in prayer
On motion of Judge Briggs, committee
Of five was appointed by the chair to nomin-
ate a standing State Committee, to devise
means for obtaining the most effective ex-
preston of the sentiment ,oi the people of
Vermont. against the extension of Slavery
to territory now free--to-wit: J. s. Adams,
+. +. Merrill, G. A. Barber, James Green,
and +. G. Bigelow.
Adjourned to g o'clock p. N.
AFTERNOON.
The convention met pursuant to ADJOURN
ment, when letters were presented from L.
ID. Barber, Daniel Roberts, and WIN. ~.
Pngrey, Esqrs., which were read and order
ed to be published.
The committee on resolutions reported the
following, which were read and adopted
unanimously, to wit:
Whereas, i, is proposed to abroga,e the
provision made by Congress in Is20, pro
libihag Sarery Jorerr in The territory ac-
CURED from France, lying north of 80 . 80
minutes; therefore,
Resoiped, That we, freemen of Vermont
in State Convention assembled, do most
soleunly PRorTsT against such abrogation
in the name of Freedom, Of Patriotism, and
OF the sacred requirements of our holy Re-
ligion
We Protest against il, as Treason to the
cause OF human Freedom as clear violation
of the faith of the Government. which was
pledged to the people 81. forever" by the very
terms of the act of 1890; and as intendedto
extend the unrghteous and abominable sys-
TEN OF American Slavery into vast terrific
ry, which has been sacredly dedicated to
Freedom.
We Protest against il, as an act which
will destroy the confidence of the people in
the integrity of their government and tho
stability of It's laws, and disturb the peace
and endanger the perpetuity of the Union:
We Protest against il, as an act against
right-without excuse-without rigbtful au-
thoriy,-and therefore to be repudated and
resisted by the people, to the last extremity.
Resolved, That in the readiness of the
South TO absolye themselves from all obhga-
ton imposed upon them by the Missouri
Compromise, SO called = measure proposed
by the South, unwillingly acceded to by the
North, and by men of all sections looked up
on as an enactment possessing a sanctny
second only to that of the Constitution itself,
and of couise Of binding force upon alive
are adDonished that too much reliance has
been placed upon the honor and "chya-
rous" good faith Of the Southland hope the
time Is close Of hand when the free North
will be disposed TO listen rather to the voice
of Justice than of Slavery give heed
to the dictates Of Mercy, rather than impli-
city obey the imperious commands of slave
holders
Resolved, That in the contest, that seems
approaching, we will know no party but our
country; and that if our Southern brethren
are determined to drive us to that impassa-
BILE line, beyond which is the security, pro-
lection and extension of human Slavery,
they may learn that Slavery, and not Free
dom, will be " crushed OUT
The Convention was addressed by Messrs.
Walton, Mann (of N. H. Adams, samp-
son, A. Spaldiag, Merrill, ]. Green, Skin
ner and Briggs
The Committee appointed for the purpose
reported the following list, which was adopt
ed, as
State Ereeufive Committee.
Charles Adams, of Burlington,
John M'Lane, of Cabot,
Azel Spslding, Of Montpelier,
Daniel Roberts, Of Manchester,
L. p. Walton Jr., of Montpelier.
On motion of Jadge Thompson, the fol-