Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1854-07-21

ordinance, July -, 100, pronlotlnR slhNeI1
north Of the Ohio, abundan,ly shows II TO
have been the purpose Of our fathers no, to
promote hut prevent the spread of Slavery
and. that the Constitution Of the United
States gives to Congress full power for the
municipal government Of the Territories
thereof, power which from its nature can
not be either alienated or abdicated without
Welding up to the Territory an absolute po-
litical independence, which involves an alb
surdity.
Resolred. That the repeal Of the Mis-
souri, Compromise, contained IN the recent
act of Congress for the creation oil the Ter
ritorics of Nebraska and Kansas, thus adj
hitting Slavery into region till then sealed
against it by law equal in extent to the thir-
teen old States, is destructive of mutual con-
6dence between the States Of this Union
exposing the Union itself to imminent dan.
gers inconsistent with the fundamental
principles of natural justice, ann destructive
Of all confidence in the integrity, good faith
and honor of the National and State govern
nenis fayoring such repeal.
RESOLVED, That in voting for this bill, eve
nv member of Congress from the free States
has betrayed the rights of the North, proved
recreant to humanity and freedom, violated
the will and outraged the feelings Of his con
stituents, and richly deserves the condemna-
ton of mankind; that in approving and
signing it the President has eaten his own
words and violated the principles repeatedly
avowed in his public speeches on the subject
of slavery, delivered in 1915, 40 and 81 (;
and that all who aided in its passage have Vi
olated the pledges of both political parties.
and the President himself, promising TO dis
countenance and frown upon every effort to
revive the Slavery agitation.
Resoiped, That the passage of this bill, in
connection with other measures now ear
nestly talked of and strongly uarged upon
the nation BY the leading Slavery Propagan-
dists, such as the seizlng of Cuba and St.
Domingo, and annexing them to the Union,
as Slave States, and the reopenng ofthe AT
rcan Slave trade, demonstrate that no trust
or confidence can be reposed IN Slavery
propagandsis that they are both antagonis-
tic and aggressive, and therefore, 1t becomes
the friends Of freedom and humanity to ava
ken from their leihargy, put on the armor of
liberty worn by our patriotic fathers, and
strike for the liberties of our entire race.
Resoiued, That henceforth all compromis-
es with Slavery are at an end, and our rally
ing cry shall henceforlh be the repeal Of the
Fugitive Slave law, and of the interstate
slave trade, the abolition of slavery in the
District OF Columbia, the prohibition of slave
ry in all the Territories ofthe United States,
and the admission of no more Slave States
into the Union.
PLEDGES
RESOLVED, !, That we pledge ourselves to
the extent of our power to the repeal OF the
Fugitive Slave Bill.
., To resist the admission of Utah and
Now Mexico as States, without Constitutions
excluding Slavery.
3, To the restriction Of Slavery TO the
States in which it exists
4, To the exclusion of Slavery at the ear
lest practicable moment, by all constitu-
tional means, from federal territory, Nebras-
ka, Kansas and the District of Columbia in-
elusive.
3, To oppose the admission into the I'm
ion of any new State, toleratlng slavery,
whether it be formed from territory belong
ing to Texas or elsewhere.
q, To resist the acquisition of any new
territory wherein Slavery exists, unless the
prohibition OF Slavery shall first have been
provided for.
z, To encourage immigration into the ter
rtories of freemen, pledged irrevocably to
the cause Of Freedom.
S,|Fhat the Nebraska bill is only one Of
a series Of aggressive pro-slavery measures.
each depending on preceding measures of
the same kind, and manifesting the natural
tendency of slavery. Had the annexation
of Texas or the Fugitive Slave bill, beenre
sisted, the Nebraska bI,l would never have.
been proposed. The issue should have been
made years ago, between extension and non.
extension of Slavery. Let US make it now
9, We hereby avow our determined pur-
pose not TO support for the office of Prosi-
dent or Vice President, or Senator or Rep
resentative in Congress, or Governor or Lieu
tenant Governor, or Treasurer of the State,
or member of the State Legislature, any man
of whatever party, not known to be ~ favor
of the purposes above avowed.
Resolved, That inasmuch as there are now
no great measures of Legislation or admin
isirative policy, dividing political parties ex-
cept that of slavery, and harmony Is abso
lutely essential TO successful resistance 20
the alarming aggressons of the slave power,
we do as Wings, Free SoIlers, and Demo-
Gratis, freely relinqush our former party as
soclatons and ties, to form new party or
ganization, having for its object to secure the
blessings of liberty to ourselves and to our
posterity, and also a wise, Just, and ecGnom-
zeal administration of the Government: aud
as the principles for which we are con
tending lie at the foundation Of Republic
canism, as proclaimed by our fathers, we
propose, and respectfully recommend to the
| friends of freedom in other States to cooper
ate, and be known as Republicans.
GENERAL PRlNClPLESl
Resolved, That we hold the following gen.
! eral principles as essential to the Just and
proper administration of the Government:
!. A rigid accountability and economy in
the administration Of the government.
?. Retrenchment of the patronage of the
President by the election of postmasters
and ali other civil officers by the people, as
far as the same may he practicable.
3. Cheap postage for the people, and the
abolition of the ranking privilege by men,
bers of Congress.
4. A ludicious system Of River and Har-
Dor improvements by the government, when
ever demanded for the safety and convent.
ence of commerce with foreign nations, oil
among the several states.
,. A Tariff for revenue with proper dis.
elimination IN favor of American industry.
&. The free grant of homesteads to act
ual settlers in consideration of labor and pri-
walton incurred in making settlements in the
wilderness, with just reservations of the
public lands, regarded as the common prop
efty of all the States.
Resolved That we recommend the calling
Of a general Convention of the Free States
and such of the Slave holding States, or por-
tons thereof. az may desire to be represent
ad tnr ihs n'frnls-.- 90 f,~s,ainsr nptis.nal
organization, opposed to the aggressions OF
Slavery, and for the adoption of other and
more efiectual measures of resistance to
such aggression, and that in anticipation of
such action, this Convention appoint dele
gates equal in number to the Senators and
Representatives of this State in Congress,
and that such delegates be a Committee Of
Correspondence on that subject with our
friends in other States.
Resolred, That the enactment OF the law
! of 1852 known as An act tn DreVent traffic