Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1859-06-17

to be utterly at war with the true purpose Of
our Government, and rcpugnant to the moral
sense OF the nation and that We affirm our
continued hostility to the extension Of slavery
over the Territories of the Union
4. That we regard all suggestions and
propositions Of every kind. by whomsoever
made, for a revival Of the African slave trade,
as shocking to the moral sentiments Of the
enlightened portion Of mankind, that any
action on the part Of the Government or peo-
pie connivng at or lcgalizing that horrid and
inhuman traffic would justly subject the Gov
eminent and citizens Of the United States to
the reproach and execraion of all civilized
and christian people and that the naction
Of the National Administration in bringing
the slave-traders to Justice, and its course in
sending such as have been arrested to trial in
places where acquittal was certain, subject it
fairly to the charge Of conniving at the prac-
teal reopening of that traffic
). That we hold the encouragement and
protection Of home production and American
industry to be one of the first duties of our
Government. and the failure to obtain such
encouragement and protection from the last
Congress. Notwithstanding the professions of
the President, convince us that the laboring
masses of the free States will look in vain for
tariff for the protection of their labor while
the administration of the Government is in
the hands Of the party now in power and
that we believe the ad valorem system wholly
inadequate to the protection we demand, and
in lieu Of it we are in favor Of specific duties
upon iron. coal, salt, and all such other pro-
ducts wholly the growth and manufacture Of
the United States
6 That the reckless and proAigatc extrav-
agance Of the National Administration. caus-
ing necessity for continued loans without
any means provided for their payment. give
evidence of want Of that ability and integ-
rity which should characterize the Govern
ment of free people, and, unless checked,
will lead to dshonor Of the National credit.
Z. That the passage Of Just homestead
bill. giving one hundred and sixty acres Of
land to every citizen who will settle upon and
improve the same, would be a measure fair
in principle sound in policy, and productive
Of great good to the people Of the nation
and that we regard the defeat Of Mr. Grows
bill in the Senate of the United States, by
the party in power, as direct blow at the
laboring classes of the country, and as I'M
worthy of the liberality of a great Govern
ment; and that kindred to this was the de-
feat, by the same party, of the pre-empuon
bill, which gave preference to actual settlers
over land spectators.
8. That the purity and safety of the ballot
box mast be preserved. and that all frauds
upon the naturalization laws. which have been
so much resorted to to promote the success
of the party we oppose, ought to be counter
acted by wholesome and proper legislation.
9. That we approve of the enactment Of
proper laws to protect us from the introduc
ton of foreign criminals in our midst by re-
turning them at once to the places from
whence they have been shipped to our shores
10. We cordially invite all men of all par
ties to Join with us in earnest endeavors to
restore the Government to its original purity,
and to preserve the proud heritage Of Amer
lean institutions transmitted to us by our
fathers, complete and unimpaired to those
who may come after us
II. That this Convention do most heartily
approve Of and endorse the course pursued
| by our able and distinguished senator, the
I Hon. Simon Cameron, and that of our Rep
resentatives in the popular branch Of Con-
gress who have zealously supported the pro-
tective policy, the homestead bill, the just
rights OF actual settlers, and have steodlastly
opposed the tyrannical policy of the National
| Administration in their attempts to force upon
the people of Kansas fraudulent slavery
constitution, in opposition to the known and
oft-expressed sentiments of the freemon of
! the Territory