Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1863-05-01
Vermont Conference Report on the state
of the Country.

Your Committee on tie state Of the coul-
Try, beg leave to present the following Re-
port
+ H-tcrc1s, We regard the present rebellion as
false in It's assumption Of the right Of States.
IS such, % secele from the Union, and wicked
in It's purpose 10 extend sud perpetuate the
institution Of slavery, striking alike At the
laws Of nationality and the prime pie, o. hu-
manity and true religion and
Hhere1s, The Government Of the United States
Is 50 constituted as TO rest upon the vii Of
the majority, under such restrictions as TO pro
tect the rights Of the minority. thus preclud-
ing the necessity q resort o. arms, provii-
ing for the redress Of grievances either real or
imaginary, through the peaceful agency Of
the ballot-bo1. Therefore,
Rssolucf, That in our judgment the present
rebellion Is not only without Just cause, bur
wicked in is object, and subversive Of the prin-
ciples which underlie our nationality. snd 70
publican form Of government
Resolrsi, That as ministers Of the gospel, VIC
consider ourselves bound to inculcate submission
and obedience, to the regularly constituted
authority, and to advocate the right anil duty
Of the magistrate 10 use the sword 20 defend or
enforce said authority; thus placing government
above the necessity Of yielding 70 the demands
of armed insurgents. he they less or more.
Resoired, That all the circumstances and ele-
ments connected with the genius, snd general
administration Of our National Government. have
combined 20 render It a terror % evil doers only
and 70 deserve the cordial support Of I'll our
citizens, abating the heretofore lamentahle sub
seryiency TO the slave-power, touching all qucs-
tons relating TO that institution.
Resoirs5, That We recognize the Constitution
and Laws II the United States, as supreme
throughout the land, within the limits Of the
Constitution, al State laws 10 the contrary not
withstanding. and we utterly detest the anti-na-
tional doctrine Of State sovereignty and sluatter
sovereignty, and the right Of secession, as con-
trary to the letter and spirit anil intent Of the
original compact, aud incompatible with nation
atty
Resolrei, That we Will discountenauce all at
tempts, direct or indirect, to distract or divide
northern sentiment IN respect 10 the Justice Of
the present national struggle, or its management F
by the National Government, and We Will dis
countenauce in ourselves and others, all remarks T
tending to lessen confidence in those who adj
minister the affairs Of state. conscious that they
rather need. and deserve. our sympathy and
prayers, in the present national crisis, and the
heretofore untried circumstances Of our states
men, and the gigantic nature Of the contest. az
gravated, as 1t is by the peculiar structure Of
our nationality which imparts 20 sectional rebel
lion the advantage Of established State or-aniza-
ton.
Re'9irei, That We have perfect confidence in
the overriding provide nee Of Cod. and in the
ultimate triumph Of the national cause; also, in
the President Of the Unitel States, as an able.
honest, Goi-feAring man, and whatever may be
said to the contrary, we are Of opinion that the
Cabinet which he has called 70 aid him in the
administration Of government is worthy Of such
head, and Of the confidence Of the nation en-
bracing an amount Of patriotism and statesman
ship, and ability, which challenge comparison
with any administration which has ever existed
in this, or any other country.
Resoired. That we hereby tender our most
cordial support TO the President Of the United
States and his Cabinet to the officers and
privates Of our army and naSy: And regarding
the contest as one in which there can be no dis
charge short Of national disgrace and ruin. or
triumph, We would say, let there be no falter-
ing.-While we desire the speedy close Of the
war, which Is desolating 40 many homes, and
accumulating so many burdens, we desire still
more TO have country and government, and
10 preserve our national integrity al any cost Of
time, or life, or treasure.
Rcsoired, That in cur respective localities We
will endeavor to carry out the letter and inten-
tons Of the late proclamation of National fast
and humiliation before God for national sins. IS
pecialiy our former completely with slavery, aud
that we will invoke the blessing Of God upon cur
rulers, and all lawful measures for the suppres
sion Of rebellion, especially that most Ia,rii and
'ust measure 'rhich conismptgfes the emoncipg-
iioH Of all that are in bonaggs throughout me
rsbeiiious Sfafcs
4. WIrHEnsrooS,
T. NERFILL,
e. r. HAwLEY,
VI. 7. CoBUES
J. GIT.