Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1855-09-28

PROCEEDINGS OF THE FREE
STATE CONVENTION.

the several districts in the proportion of five
Delegates to each Representatives to meet
at Big Springs on the 9Th day of September.
1855. to take into consideration the present
exigency of political affairs. the Convention
assembled. was called to order at | / o'clock.
and organized.
Five committee were appointed, whose re.
ports are annexed.
SECOND DAY.
The Chairman of the Committee on a
Platform reported, through Col Lane. the
following resolutions. stating at the same
time that twelve out of thirteen had agreed
upon their adoption and pledged to each 9th.
er their undivided support:
Uhereas, The Free State Party of the
Territory Of Kansas is about to originate an
organization for concert of political action
IN electlng our own officers and moldinp our
Institutions ; and ichereas, it is exnedient and
necessary that platform of principles be
adopted and proclaimed 10 make known the
character OF orr organizaiion, ard n test the
qualifications Of candidates aud fidelity of
our members ; and tohcreus. we find our
selves m an unparalleled and critical condi-
ton, deprived by superior firce of the rights
guaranteed by the Declaration Of lndepcnd-
cncc, the Constitution of the United States.
aud the Kansas Bill and tchercas the great
md oyershadowing qucgiion. whether Kan
sas shall become Free or n Slave State.
must inevitably absorb all other issues ex-
cept those inscplraby connected with IL
and ichercaS the crisis demands the concert.
ed and harmonious action Of those who from
principle or interest prefer free labor to
slave labor, as well as of those who value
/ the preservation Of the Uncn and the quar-
antccs Of Republican institutions by the
I Cunsfiiut on. therefore.
R,sofref, That setting aside all the minor
issues Of partisan politics. II is incumbent
upon us TO proiler an organization calculated
to recovt our dear,s; nights. and into which
Democrats aud Wings, Natives and natural
zsd citizens, may freely enter without any
sacrifice OF their respective political creeds.
but without forcing them as a test upon 9TH
crs. And that when we shall have achieved
our political freedom, indicated our rights
I of eit-governmont, and become an indie.
/ pendent State of the Union. when those is
sues mny become vital AZ they are now DOR
ment, 1t will be time enough to divide our or
ganIzltlon by these tcsis, the Importance Of
which we fully recognize IN their appropriate
sphere.
R,soired. That we will oppose aud resist
all nonresident voters at cur polls, whether
from Missouri or elsewhere, as gross viola
ton OF our rights, and virtual disfmnchlse-
ment Of our citizens
Hesoired. Tint our true interests. socially,
morally and pecunar'Y, require that Kansls
should be a Free State; that free lator viii
best promote the happiness. the rapid ponn>
iauou, the pros Gritty and the wealth Of our
people that slave labor is a curse TO the
master aud The community, If not 10 the
slave; hat our country Is unsuicd 10 ii. and
tlat we viii devote our energies az a party
to exclude the institution aud TO secure for
Kansas the Constitution of Free state.
Reso'ref, hat ia SO doing we will consent
to any far and reaso able provision in regard
TO the slaves already IN the Territory, which
shall protect the masters against injustice
aud total loss.
Rfso1red That It is the opinion Of this
Convention that the admission OF free me-
groes, or muia'toes, into the Territory or in.
turc State Of Kansas, will be productive Of
evil among The people of Kansas. and dan
ger1us 20 the Institutions of our sister State:
and that we Will oppose their admission into
the Territory or future State OF Kansas now
and forever.
Resoired, That the stale and ridiculous
charge of abolitnnism. So ndustrously inn
pnied 10 the Free State Parry, and so peril
raciously adhered TO, in spite OF an the evid,
ence TO the contrary, Is without a shadow of
truth to support II and that il Is not more an~
parent TO ourselves than II IS 10 our oppon.
euts, who use i as a term of rcproach 20
bring odium upon US, pretending 10 believe
% MS truth "nf hnninV - frrhirn frr.n .ttr
ranks the weak and um'd who are moro
wiling TO desert their principles than they
are TO stand up under persecution and abuse
with consciousness Of right.
Resoiref, That we will dIsconn,cnance
ana denounce any attempt TO cncroach upon
the constitutional rights OF the people of any
state, or 10 interfere with their slaves. con
cedng TO their citizens the right to regulate
their own Institutions, and 10 hold aud rccov.
or their slaves, without AIRY molesiaiion or
obstruction from the people of Kanses.
he report was received with three hear
~ cheers, and adopted by scclamation.
REPORT on TRR LEGISLATURE.
Mr.. Emery. on the committee having in
charge the legislative matters Of Kansas.
reported as fll.cws:
hesOired, That the body Of men who for
the lhsttwo months have been passing laws
tot The people of our Territory, moved.
counselcd ana dictated 10 by the demagogues
OF Missouri, are 10 US a foreign body. re-
presenting only the lawlcss invaders who
elected them, and not the people Of the Ter
rtory-ihat we rcpudiate their actions as the
monstrous consummatIon Of an act of vlo-
lence, usurp8tion aud fraud unparalleled IN
the history Of the Union, ana worthy only OF
men untitled for the duties and regardless of
the responsibilities Of Republicans.
ResolUed, ! hat having by numerical in
ienorty and want of preparation been COM
PEELED 10 succumb TO the Outfuge and oppres-
sion Of armed and organized bands OF the
crlzens Of a powerful State Of the Union
having been robbed by force of the right of
suffrage and seii-goyerument, aud subjected
10 Foreign dsspousm the more udinus and
Infamous because II involves a violation Of
compicls with sister States more sacred Than
solemn treaties, we dis0wn and disivow with
seon aud Indignation the contemplate aud
( hypocrtcal tnockery of a representative
government into which this infamous des-
potsm has been converted.
/ Res0iped, That this mlscalled legislature.
by their reckless disregard of the organic
Territorial Aci,and other Congressional leg
is'ation, IN eNpeling members whose tile
10 seats was beyond their power to anuul, in
admitting members who were no, elected, IN
altering the preempton laws and the natur-
alzaton laws, and in legislating at an un-
authorized place-by tier refusal to allow
the people to select any Of our officers II by
imposing upon us tnerOwn appolnlees DOWN
to the most Insignificant Offices, many of
whom were unquestlonable residents of Mis-.
sour at the tlme-by leaving US no eloc
tons save those prescribed by Congress, and
therefore beyond their power to abrogate,
and even at these imposing restrictions upon
US requiring the payment of one dollar as a
tax, selling the right OF suffrage at our ball
lot boxes, TO any nonresident who chooses
TO buy and pay for il, and the taking an oath
to support the United States Law lnvldious-
ly pointed out, by sitting the freedom of
speech and of the press thus nsurping
power forbidden by Congress, have tramped