Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1855-11-29

No. 4.-Resolutions on so much of the Cover
nor's Message as relates to Kansas.
Whereas, The power and influence of the
slaveholding States in this Union has been from
an early period, successfully exerted in extond-
ing and strengthening the institution of human
slavery, contrary to the clear intent of the foun-
ders OF the government, and in violation Of the
spirit OF the Constitution and
Whereas, In order to still further extend sla-
very 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 estab-
fishing territorial government in the free terri
tories OF Kansas and Nebraska, with provisions
inviting the establishment of slavery therein;
and in fartherance Of this purpose, the citizens
of Missouri have been suffered to invade the
territory Of Kansas, in armed bands, and to pre-
vent thereby, the people of said Kansas from
making their own laws, or electing their own
Representatives, and by lawless force to exclude
them from exercising any voice In the govern
ment OF said territory and
Whereas, The presen, administration Of the
general government has lent itself to these lille
gal and unjust schemes and has either openly
aided therein or secretly connived thereat and
has taken no steps to execute the laws, or to
protect the people of said territory in the exer-
else of their constitu tional rights thus publicly
assaiIed and overthrown, and has upon false
pretenses, removed such Of its own officers as
were not entirely subservient to those bad de-,
signs and
Whereas, The right of citizens of slavehold-
ing States to hold slaves in, and transport them
through, the free States, has of late been asser-
ted, and the act attempted, and in consequence
thereof, a citizen Of sister State has been put
in prison undss the usurped and grossly perEer-
ted power Of o federal Judge: therefore, it is
by the Senate and House of Representatives Of
the State of Vermont,
Resolued, 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 q fragrant outr age upon the spirit of a free
people; and that the same ought to be immedi.
ately repealed
RssOlDed, That the enactment of the provis
ions of the territorial code of 1854, which ab
rogated the ancient prohibition of slavery ir
said territories, aud opened them to the WICKED
acts and calamitous results of that institution
was gross fraud upon the just rights Of thu
people, faithless breach of solemn publ,
compact, Of which the slaveholding interest hat
already reaped the full beneft,-an insult t.
the free States, and in violation of the natura
rights Of man and that it merits the condem
nation of the civilized world
Res0lUed, That the armed and unlawful inva
sion of Kansas, by the citizens of Missouri, ant
their illegal and forcible exclusion of the peo
pie of that territory from all the political right
to 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 atrocity unequalled in the politi
cal history Of this nation, and directly subver
sive of the fundamental principles Of Republican
government, and that the State of Missouri vii
DO justly chargeable US u party to that wrong
unless she publicly and distinctly disavow sal
acts of her citizens, and use every means in he
power to prevent recurrence thereof
Resolved, That the non.interference of tn
present federal administration, to prevent o
punish said outrages, justly makes it, in tn
estimation Of mankind. accessory thereto, an
unworthy Of the confidence or respect of free
men.
Resolred, That Vermont, while she will in n
way assail the constitutional and domestic right
Of the slaveholding States. will, to the utmot
of her power, uphold and sustain the people
the territories in their lawful effort to exclud
slavery therefrom, that she will, at all hazard.
and to the last extremity, resist all encroacf
ments upon the constitutional rights of tn
States that to the extent of her ability, sh
will oppose the extension of slavery into, an
the existence thereof, in the territories of tn
United States, and the admission into the Unto
of any State whose constitution does not pei
petuaAy prohibit slavery thsreiu.
Resolued, That the slave who treads the so
of free State by the consent of his master, b.
comes thereby at once and forever free, and er
titled to the exercise of the whole power of tn
State, when necessary, in the defense Of hi
freedom.
Resolred, That in the opinion of this genert
assembly, no district court of the United State
, has jurisdiction to issue writs of habeas corpu
or to render Judgment thereon, except when ne'
essary to the orderly proceeding of suits pendin
therein, Or in order to inquire into the legalit
, of commitments made under color of its antho
ity, and, therefore, that the imprisonment {
Passlnore Williamson, under the authority
the district court of the United States, for tn
eastern district of Pennsylvania, was not wal
wanted by law, and void.
, Resolred, That our Senators be, and they al
, hereby instructed, and our Representatives
Congress are requested, to do all in their powt
to carry cat the spirit and intent OF the foreg'
, ing resolutions.
Resoloed That the Governor be requested I
cause copy of these resou lions, properly ce
tilted, to be sent to each Of our Senators an
Representatives, to be by them communicated
Congress; and that copy of the same be ser
to the Governor of each State in the Uniol
with request that they be laid before the Lei
islature thereof p
In House Of Representatives,
Nov. IL, 1855.
Read and adopted.
GEo r. THOMPSON, ASST Cler
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