The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1876-07-21
LIBERAL CONVENTION.
PORTLAND, July 5, 49,

Portland, Oregon, July 5th, 1876, at the
hour of 10 A. NJ, and were called to
order by J. B. Garrison, President of
the Liberal Association of Portland, |
Oregon, who, upon motion, was elected
temporary Chairman. Mr.. A. McAu-
drews was elected temporary Secretary.
A committee of three-J. H. Egan, of
Portland, H. G. Lesser, of Forest Grove,
and Hon. J. S. VanCleave, of East !
Portland-was appointed on organiza-
tion.
An opportunity was given for persons
to sign the roll of membership of this
Convention, whereupon eighty-four
signatures were obtained.
A committee of seven, consisting of
G. w. Lawson, of Salem, Hon. ]. S. NJ.
VanCleave, of East Portland, DR.. J. L.
York, of San Jose, R. NJ. Gurney, of
Douglas county, and John B. Garrison,
DIR. Mary A. Thompson, and A. c. Ed
munds, of Portland, was appointed on
Declaration of Demands, Objects, and
Principles.
The Committee on Organization re-
ported constitution, which, after some
amendment, was adopted:
The Committee on Declaration of OBJ
jects, Demands and Principles, reported
as follows, which was adopted:
WHEREAS, The necessity of organi-
zation of the Liberal people of the
North Pacific Coast has long been ap-
parent, and we deem the present occa-
sion auspicious for that purpose; there
fore, be it
ReSolUed, That we, the Liberals and
Free-Thinkers of Oregon, Washington
Territory, British Columbia and Idaho,
here now represented and assembled, do
adopt the following articles for the
above purpose:
| Resolved, That our objects are the
largest liberty in the diffusion of knowl-
edge, the free and unbiased discussion
of all questions affecting the welfare of
society, the promotion of whatever may
tend to elevate man, and the suppression
of every form of vice, ignorance, and
error that may degrade and retard his
intellectual and moral advancement.
ARTICLE1. Therefore, endorsing these
purposes, we demand that churches
and other ecclesiastical property shall
no longer be exempt from just and
equal taxation with all other proper
ties, rights, and values of the people.
ART. 2. We demand that the en-
ployment of chaplains in Congress and
in State Legislatures, in the Navy and
Militia, and in prisons, asylums, and
aud all other institutions supported by
public money, shall be discontinued.
ART. 8. We demand that all public
appropriations for educational and char
liable institutions of a sectarian char
acter shall cease, and that the children
of the Republic shall have the benefit of
common school fund for the free edu-
cation of all, untainted and unmixed
with sectarian bias, bigotry, and con-
ceit.
ART. 4. We demand that all re-
ligiOus services now sustained by the
government shall be abolished; that no
national or state exhibitions or jubilees
shall ever be subject to sectarian rules
and control; that the use of Sunday
shall be free to the people under all cir
cumstances, and upon all occasions dis
severed from all sectarian control; that
the use of the Bible in the public
schools, whether Ostensibly as a text
, book, or avowedly as book of religious
worship, shall be prohibited.
ART. 3. We demand that the ap.
pointment by the President of the
United States, or by the Governors o.
= the various States, of all religious festi,
walls and fasts, shall wholly cease.
ART. 6. We demand that the judicia
: oath in the courts, and in all other de-
! partments of the government, shall be-
: abolished, and that simple affirmation
: under the pains and penalties of per
l jury, shall be established in its stead.
: ART. 7. We demand that all laws di
rectly or indirectly enforcing the ob
servance of Sunday as the Sabbath
r shall be repealed.
: ART. s. We demand that all lawl
= looking to the enforcement of "Chris
: tian" morality shall be abrOgated, anC
: that all laws shall be cOnformed to the
/. requirements of natural morality, equa
rights, and impartial liberty.
e ART. 9. We demand that, not Onl!
8 in the Constitutions of the United
r States and of the several States, bu
] also in the practical administration o
a the same, no privilege or advautag
i shall be conceded to Christianity, o
e any other special religion; that our en-
1 tire political system shall be fOundec
e and administered on a purely secula
l basis; and that whatever changes shall
!, prove necessary to this end shall be con
: sistentIy, unfiinchingly, and prompt.
!. made.
4 ART. 10. We demand equality o
i privilege before the law and respectful
!, consideration by the press that W
e largely patronize.
}. ART. IL. We demand that no Othe
n god or goddess shall ever be placed il
e the Constitution of the United State
y but the Goddess of Liberty.
d ART. II. We demand equal right
!. for our wives and daughters with our
e selves and our sons in regard to prop
It erty, to honors and offices, and to a.
d public franchises.
s ART. 13. We demand liberty in a.
e things not trenching on the rights c
J. others, unity in things proven, and tn
d largest freedom of thought.
/, Wherefore, in accordance with ou
= beliefs and demands as above alleged
we adopt this constitution and rules {
government.
d Hon. T. w. Davenport, of Mario
e county, was elected President. D.
n Tolmie, of Victoria, was appointed
n conduct the President elect to the chai
= Mr.. Davenport, upon taking the chai
made short speech appropriate to th
% occasion, and asked that he be excused
1t on account of indispostion, from ser'
r. inU as Chairman of this ConvantioI