Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1865-07-18


for home, 1t was then verbally stated by one, in
reply to numerous calls for the resolutions, that
the Committee had completed their report, but
it's Chairman mad been detained-somebody sug-
gested detailcd-on other business The Con-
yention began to grow small by degrees and beau
tliuly less, ill finally, save the reporters and off
GERS scarcely more than bakers dozen remained
A weary halt hour more passed away, and then
the report Of the Committee on resolutions was
announced as forthcoming. The resolutions were
hastily read, hurredly adopted, and the Conven-
tion-thst small portion Of it remaining-dis-
solved
The resolutions in and Of themselves, when
fairly read and honestly interpreted, are all well
enough. If there is any ambiguity about them
any good Lord and good devil policy concealed
in the wording OF them--the Convention failed to
see it, and would not for a moment have tolerated
it had they had the remoteSt idea that such
thing was intended. Every speech in the Conven-
the highest spirit Of loyalty to the Government,
aud Of justice and equality to loyal men of what
ever race or color II any one OF the Committee
on resolutions had weak back on the negro suf-
frago question when the Committee went into
conclave, every word and every echo from the
Convention reaching him during the long sitting,
must have wonderfully strengthened and supple
mented his vertebral column and, We think, been
sufficient at last to have enabled him to stand
erect and exclaim, too will be manly enough
to give to my brother, be be red, white, or black,
the same rights and privileges in the race of life
that claim for myself"
Batting the Committee on resolutions, there
were not ten members OF the State Convention
which assembled here on the 2Sth ult., but had
the most exalted and radical views relative to the
propriety and duty Of giving equal rights and JUS
tee to the loyal blacks OF the South. No reso-
luton looking to any thing less than that would
have been entertained for a moment. The Con-
vention was composed Of intelligent, selfreliant
men--men who dreaded no rivalry from granting
to their back brethren the privileges and rights
which they demand for themselves men who
had 10 fears, il an equal race for honor and man
hood, that the darkey would come out ahead. We
are no lawyer, but we believe it is usual in our
Courts to interpret any Obscure or ambiguous
phrase in writing by the general tenor and scope
Of the whole instrument as well as by the partlc-
ular purpose and object sought to be accom-
pi,hed BY the party subscribing to that writing.
When the Convention adopted the report of their
Committee the resolutions became the voice and
views Of that Convention. 1t had subscribed to
them, and sent them forth 10 the world with ito
seal upon them. Every utterance Of the Conyen-
ton had been in uvor Of universal freedom and
equal suffrage for all, black and white alike. Every
slluson in favor thereof had been greeted with the
most rapturous applause. We claim, therefore,
that no one has right to construe those resolu-
tons but a, a traighi-iorward, unequiyocal dec
laration that the Convention unqualifsdiy commit
ted itself in favor II such universal freedom and
equal suffrage. % those questions the Convention
meant Just that-nothing more, nothing less. The
Burlington Senhnefs criticism, that the Convention
intended or thought even to put forth any doubt
iul or double meaning uteranceS 10 its resolutions
s, therefore, wholly unfair and totally erroneous.
II that member Of the Committee on resolu-
tons who claims equality. Il not priority, with
President johnson IN originating the plan Of re
construction and negro suffrage for the South, and
who would doubtless De pleas ed to see the policy
Of the Union party Of Vermont run parallel and
pari passu with his notions OF that policy, inter
polated a word or idea which made the resolutions
give forth any uncertain sound, be and not the
Convention should be held responsible therefor.
We are quite willing to leave him TO argue bis
own case with the Sentinel and we will wager
he is too wiry politician not 10 be able to con-
vince the Sentinel, at east to bis own satisfaction,
that the resolutions mean either one thing or the
olher-and tshich we can't tell till the logic Of
events and the presidential policy become more
fully developed.
|