Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1854-10-20
RESOLUTIONS RELATING TO
SLAVERY.

Ola EN- I.
WHEREAS, in conformity with the
sentiments of our Revolutionary Fa-
theirs, and in obedience to the prin-
cipleS and spirit of the Constitution
of the United States, the early poll
cy Of the Government was to restrict
and abolish Slavery; and whereas,
the National Government has
strangely aud widely departed from
its original course on this subject f;
and whereas, the compromise of
1920, by which Slavery was prohib-
tied in all the territory held by the
L. States, north Of SO 30, has been
repealed by an act Of Congress in
view of an event so unnecessary,
calamitous aud portentous, it is
deemed proper that the State of
Vermont should proclaim her priu-
ciples and the general line of policy
which she proposes to pursue with
respect to Slavery: now, therefore,
Resoioed, by The Senate and
House of Representatives, in the
name and in behalf of the people of
this State, that we cherish and adj
here strictly to the fundamental
principle Of the Federal Consiitu-
ton; "a principle expressed in the
first article Of our Bill Of Rights,
that all men have an inalienable
right to freedom and equality; and
that we hereby reaflirm our devotion
to the Union of the United States.
Resoiced, That the Constitution.
ordained to form more perfect I'M
ion, to establish justice, aud to Sc
cure to all the citizens OF the Un-
ION liberty, expressly denies TO the
General Government the authority
or power to deprive any person of
lie, liberty or property, or in any
way, however indirectly, to ac-
quiro or cOuntcnauce slavery; aud
that it should Immediately dlvest
itself of all responsibility for the ex-
istence of slavery, wherever it pos
sesses constitutional power to legis-
late for It's extinction.
ResoiUed, That this Legislature,
in view OF the fact thlt the COM
promises hitherto made on the sub
ject Of slavery by Congress, have
virtually been repudialed and de-
priyed Of their moral force and au-
tbority by The repeal of the act pre-
paratory to the admission of Mis-
souri, to the Union, approved March
g. 1870, 10 declare their delermi-
nation to adhere TO the original poll
icy Of the Government, authorized
by the Constitution Of the United
States,
Resoloed That in the opinion of
this Legislature, the people Of this
State demand the repeal of that
part Of the bill for the organization
Of The Government of Kansas and
Nebraska, which declares the Mis-
souri, compromise imperative and
void and will persevere in this de-
mand until the restriction of slave
ry, contained in the act of 1920,
shall be restored to full force aud
effect.
Resolued, That the action con
templaied by the preceding resolu-
ton is demanded of the United
States Government, by consistency
and good faith to the harmony
and perpetuity Of the Union; and
by the enlightened sentiment Of the
civilized world.
ReSolUed, That the thanks of this
body are rendered 10 our Senators
and representatives in the Congress
Of the United States, for their man
ly resistance to the passage of the
act by which the Missouri Com
promise has been repealed.
Resolged, That in the opinion of
this Legislature, our Senators and
Representatives in Congress are
bound to take early and wise meas
ures to obtain such an amendment
of the Law, called the Fugitive
Slave Law, as shall secure to every
person claimed as a slave the right
of trial by jury in the State where
the person shall be arrested and held
for trial.
ResotUed, That a copy of these
resolutions be transmitted to our
Senators and Representatives in the
Congress of the United States, aud
be by them land before that body.