Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1855-12-01
LEGIshATuRE OF VERMONT.


at its session just closed, as follows =
No Al. Resolutions on so much Of the Gov
ernors Message as relates to Kansas
Whereas. The power and influence Of the
Slayeholdinq States in this Union has been,
from an early period, successfully exerIed in ex-
tending and strengthening the institution of hui
man slavery, contrary to the clear intent of the
founders of the government and in violation OF
the spirit Of the Constitution and
Whereas, In order still further to extend
slavery and to establish it in the free territories
OF the United States, there have been passed the
fugitive slave law, so called, and the code es-
tablishing territorial government in the free
territories of Kansas and Nebraska with pro-
visions inviting the establishment Of slavery
therein and in furhorance Of this purpose, the
citizens Of Missouri have been suffered to invade
the territory of Kansas, ir armed bands and to
proven. thereby the people of said Kansas from
making their own laws, or eleciinl their own
representatives,, and by lawess force 10 exclude
them from exercising any voice in the govern
inent of said territory ard
Whereas, he present administration of the
general government has lent itself to these lille
gal and unjust schemes; aud has either openly
aided therein, or secretly conniyed thereat (;
and has taken no steps to execute the laws, or
10 protect the people of said territory in the ex-
ercise Of their constitutional rights thus public
ly assaled and overthrown, and has, upon false
preenses, removed such Of its own officers us
we not entirely subseryieni to those bad designs.
and
Wiereos, The right Of citizens of slavehod
ing States to hold slaves in and transport them
through, the free Staies has of late been assert
cd, and the act attempted, and in consequence
thereof, citizen of sister State has been pu,
in prison under the usurped or grossly pervert-
ed power Of fedral judge therefore, i, is by
the Senate and House of Representatives of the
State of Vermont,
ResOlrcd, That the fugitive slave act Of 1850
is contrary TO the spirit Of the constitution Of
the United States, in subversion Of the rights,
and fragrant outrage upon the spirit OF free
people; and that the same ought to be immed-
lately repealed.
Rcsolrei, That the enactment Of the provis-
ms of the territorial code of 1854, which alb
rOgaiei the ancient prohibition ofslavery in said
territories, and opened them to the wicked acts
and calamtous results Of that institution, was
gross fraud upon the Just rights Of the people,
"a laiihess breach of solemn public compact,
of which the slaveholding interest had already
reaped the full beneit,-an insult TO the free
States, and in violation Of the national rights Of
man and that ii merits the condemnation ofthe
civilized world.
Resolrod, That the armed and unlawful in
vason Of Kansas, by citizens Of Missouri, and
their illegal and forcible exclusion OF the reo-
pie Of that territory from all the political rights
10 which they were entitled in the government
thereof, for the sole purpose of establishing
slavery therein, under the semblance Of law
was an act of atroci,y unequalled in the poliii-
cal history of this nation, and directly subvcr-
sive Of the fundamental principles of republican
government, and that the State Of Missouri will
be justly chargeable as party to that wrong
unless she publicly and distinctly disavow said
acts OF her citizens, and use every means in her
power to prevent recurrence thereof
ResOlced, That the non-nterference of the
fedral administration, 10 prevent or punish said
outrages, justly makes it, in the estimation Of
mankind, accessory thereto, and unworthy of the
confidence or respect of freemen.
Resolred, That Vermont, while she will in
no way assail the constitutional and domestic
rights Of the slaveholding States, will, to the
utmost Of her power, uphold and sustain the
people of the territories in their lawful effort to
exclude slavery therefrom,-tha she will, at all
hazards, and to the last extremity, resist all en-
croachmenis upon the constitutional rights OF
the States,-ihat TO the extent of her ability,
she will oppose the extension Of slavery iuto,
and the existence thereof, in the territories Of
the United States, and the admission iuto the
Union of any State whose constitution does not
perpetualy prohibit slavery therein.
ResOlred, That the slave who troads the soil
Of free State by the consent Of his master, be-
comes thereby at once and forever free, and en-
titled to the exercise of the whole power Of the
State, when necessary, in the defense of his
freedum.
ResolUed, That in the opinion of the general
assembly, no district court Of the United states
has jurisdiction TO issue wrls Of h0beas cOf-ptt,
or to render judgement thereon, except when
necessary to the orderly proceeding Of suit:
pending therein, or in order to inquire into the
legality Of commitments made under color of il.
authority, and. therefore, that the Imprisonment
of Passmore Williamson, under the authority Of
the district court of the United States f~ the
eastern district of Pennsylvania, was not war
ranted by law, and void.
Resolved, That our Sen ators be, and they ar,
hereby instructed, and our representatives il
Congress are requested, 10 do all in their pow
or to carry out the spirit and intent of the fore
going resolutions.
ResoLred, That the governor be requested I,
cause copy of these resolutions, properly Ger
tilted, to be sent TO each Of our sena.ors ant
representatives, 10 be by them communicated I,
Congress; and that copy of the same be ais,
sent to the governor Of each State 10 the UnioI
with request that they DC laid before the leg
isaiure thereof
In House Of Representatives., Nov, II, 1855
Read and adopted.
GEO. R. THOMPSON. Asst Clerk.
In Senate, Nov, Is, 1865.
Read and adopted 10 concurrence.