Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-07-15
The Late Reform" Convention at Rutland.

dorSed at the recent " reform " convention Ut
Rutland, we print below the entire list OF res
olutions discussed by the convention.
Lest there be misunderstanding as to the
extent Of tie responsibility of the meeting, we
add, that none of the resolutions below were
| adopted, and none at all were adopted, except
three resolutions of courtesy-to the officers,
| town, and railroad companies ; but each OF the
propositions were presented and supported in de-
bate We will also add, that the grossly per-
pcrnicious doctrines ayowed by several OF the
speakers, received not even tho assent OF the
Convention-much less of the people of Rutland.
There cannot be town in the State less likely
than Rutland, nor State in the Union less likely
than Vermont, to receivesuch things with favor.
The newspapers in the country that are now
publishing the annexed resolutions as having
been adopted, are unjust to the Convention it
SELF and to the town and the State in which it
was held Waterman.
INDIVIDUALITY.
|. ResOlred That the authority of each in
diyidual soul is absolute and final in deciding
all questions as to what is true ar false in prn-
ciple, al right or wrong in practice therefore
the individual, the church, or the State that
attempts to control the opinions or the practice
of any man or woman, by authority or power
outside of his or her own SOUL is guilty of a
fragrant wrong.
| 2, That slavery is wrong which no power
IN the universe cpn make right; therefore, any
law, constitution, court, or government, any
! chnpeh, priesthood, creed or Bible, any Christ
or any God that by silence or otherwise ,aauthor-
ICES man to ensave man, merits the scorn and
contempt of mankind.
g. That the phenomena of what is called
modern spiritualism have abundantly demon
strated the fact that an intercourse between en-
bodied and disombodied human spirits is both
possible and actual that the conviction of the
possibility and actuality of spirit intercourse
is opposed to all despotsm, impurity and SEN
sualsm, and conduccs to the inauguration OF
the only authority consistent with the human
soul as favorable to sound morality.
WAR AND THE DEATH PUNISHMENT.
4. That it is always wrong and inexpedient
for man to take the life of man therefore,
capital punishment, war and all preparation!
for war, are wrong, and inconsistent with the
interests of individuals and society.
MARRIAGE.
5. That the only true and natural marriage
is an exclusive conjugal love between one man
and one woman, and that the only true home
is the isolated home based upon the exclusive
love-
MATERNITY.
6. That the sacred and important right of
women is to decide for herself how often and
under what circumstances she shall assume the
responsibility, and be subjected to the suferings
and cares of maternity and man can commit
mother, against his child, against society, and
against humanity, than to impose on her
maternity whose responsibility and sufferings
she is not willing to except and endure.
BIBLE.
7. That nothing is true OR right, and moth
ing is false or wrong, because it is sanctioned or
condemned by the Biblc-therefore our Bible is
powerless to prove any doctrine to be true or
any practice to be right, and it should never be
quoted for that purpose.
FREE TRADE.
s. That natural Justice, individual and social
morality, the peace and material wealth and
prosperity, the nations spirit of human broth
erhood, that all international tariffs be imme-
diately and forever abolished, and that the gov
ernments in all their various departments be
supported by direct taxation.
LAND REFORM
9. That the earth, like the air and light, be-
lones in common to the children of iaYn on it
ca9 child, by viAtue of his txistence,l has an
inalienable right to so much of the earth S sur
face as is convenient by proper culture, to his
support and proper development, and none has
a right to any more therefore all laws author
ling and sustaining private property in land
for the purpose of speculation, and which pre-
vent men and women from possessing any land
without paying for it, are as unjnst as would be
any laws compelling them to pay for air ant
light, ane ought to be at once forever re-
pealed
SABBATH.
10. Whereas, The Jewish Sabbath is con
fessedly abolished by the gospel dispensation
and whereas, the same authority sets apart nj
other day to be similarly observed, therefore
resolved, that all efforts Of church and priest tt
enforce an observance of the christian Sabbath
as of divine appointment, in a fragrant viola
ton Of individual right, and must be persecuteC
in a dishonest disregard of the spirit and posi-
tive teaching of New Testament
II. Whereas, A social being depends on hi
fellow men for the cultivation and develop.
ment of his physical, mental and moral power
and uhereaS, owing to the limitation and vics
itudes of life, he can accomplish but little fol
his own or future generations, therefore re
solred, that the duties of man belong to man
and the time, talents and means spent on and
for any other purpose, are detrimental to hu
man progress, and robbery to the race.
II. That the morel law is the natural growth
Of healing condition of social life, and tina
a study of the nature of man, can alone givc
him q knowledge of the laws to govern hin
rightly
10. That no system or creed can be usefu
that does not lead to the removal of ignorance
poverty vice and suffering and promote free
dom, intelligence and happiness
IA. Whereas, The character of man formed
for HIM by the combined powers of orraniza
ton previous to birth, and influence after birth
therefore, resolved, that it is the highest dut,
of society to investigate and remove the cause,
which have q tendency to form inferior or vic
ous character.
I5 That the time and devotion spent on re-
ligious services can confer no benefit on an in
finite and independent power, and can therefore
be no virtue.
WOMAN RIGHTS.
fS Whuyus,~ The assumed superiority q
man over woman has held her in submissions
and entailed slavery and dependence on the sex
and consequently misery on the race there
fore, ~"
Rcsolrcd, That immediate steps should be Ia
ken to remove that error and its consequences
and place woman, politically, nlustriaily, ed
uoationally, aud socially on perfect cqualit,
with man.
SENATOR SuMSER.-A private letter from one
of tho most distinguished physicians in France
says that upon consultation by the leading