The voice of freedom. [volume], July 13, 1839, Image 2

About The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848

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THE VOICE OP FREEDOM.
r Nw York, notices this pretension as one of
ordinary concern, presented to the reader with
some " interesting comments !"
The Pittsburgh Advocate republishes the sug
gestion of the New Orleans Courier, with a short
business notice-indicating neither surprise nor dis
approbation.. The N. York Despatch speaks in
tlie same tone;. I.vthe same trade spirit, the sub
ject is noticed in the New York Journal of Com
merce. Letter from Prof. Thome.
The following letter from this gentleman, so fa
vorably known as one of the authors of the great
work on "Emancipation in the West Indies," will
be perused with interest. It was addressed to the
Secretary of the Ohio-Anti-Slavery Society at its
late meeting,
Obciiin, May 2W, 1839.
My Dear Friend : It would have afforded me
great pleasure, could I have complied with your
solicitations to attend the approaching anniver
sary of the State Anti-Slavery Society ; but it
seems to be out of my power. 1 assure you I have
felt very strong promptings, aside from your ur
gent invitation, to be present on this occasion.
There will be brought together many from various
parts of the state among who.n it was my privi
lege to labor during the earlier and feebler con
flicts of this growing cause. I earnestly desire to
look upon their well remembered faces, to grasp
their hands once more and to bespeak them,
" watchmen, what of the night ?" There will be
assembled others who are later converts to the
cause who were more tardy in giving in their
adherence, but I trust are no less hearty now.
Perhaps among these I might recognize some who
four years ago were the avowed opposers, or at
least the indifferent hearers of an unworthy la
borer and I am sure it would afford peculiar
gratification to see them at last on the side of mer
cy and human rights. I feel, morever, a strong
desire to embrace so favorable an opportunity of
noting the progress of our cause since we assem
bled in the Granville Barn, surrounded with the
weapons of defence and the threats of a drunken
mob. That was the last Anniversary I have been
permitted to attend. The three interesting years
since have doubtless given great extension to our
principles in this state ; for it is impossible that
such principles, so vital and commanding, identi
cal with the foundation truths of our state and Na
tional Governments, emanating from the word of
God should be proclaimed without meeting a re
sponse and a welcome in some hearts in every
place. When I consider the activity of your
press, the multiplication of pamphlets and books,
and the assiduous labors of living lecturers within
the bounds of our state, I am almost ready to ex
claim " what now remains to be done, but to unite
in congratulations and thanksgivings?" But my
impulses are checked my emotions are chilled
when I open my eyes upon present realities. In
stead of exulting over the deliverance of the slave
and what else in the name of liberty and truth
should we be doing at this late period, in this time
of mental and spiritual illumination,, in this day of
the outgoings of generous sympathies over the
earth, now when the Islands of the sea., are clap
ping their unfettered hands instead of exulting
over the deliverance of the American slave, alas !
we are constrained to mourn over the thraldom
and degradation of Ohio's own citizens. While
we should be flocking up from the four quarters
on cheerful feet to commemorate the burial ol the
last chain and whip ; 0 shame ! we are compelled
to drag our own fettered limbs to a melancholy
convocation, called to consult over our own wrongs,
and to devise a redemption from our own oppres
sions. You cannot, my dear sir, but know to what
I allude. 1 he late enactments ol our Legislature,
in obedience to the arrogant demands of a sister
state are too notorious to be for a moment over
looked. Ohio laws have enslaved Ohio citizens.
The representatives, the creatures of the day, have
yoked their own constituents to the car of power
and party. A rod of iron has smitten the face of
free Ohio. A chain has gone over hill and valley
of her free soil, and that chain has been riveted
to the staple of Kentucky slavery by parricidal
hands. A deep broad stain of foul disgrace has
spread from centre to circumference over Consti
tution. laws, institutions, every thing of which
we had reason to be proud. A worse than van
dal extermination has been ordered among the
best dictates and kindliest yearnings of our hearts.
The promptings of pity and the gushings of
sympathy toward the outcast wanderer, have been
intimidated by the array of bailiffs, lictors, and
prison walls and dungeon damps. The hand of
charity stretched forth to relieve, has been palsied
by law. The voice-of brotherhood opening upon
a stranger's ear, has been hushed by stern com
mand. Benevolence has been made criminal, and
obedience to Christ punishable with fines and im
prisonment. A sentinel has been stationed at ev
ery freeman's door to watch who goes in and who
comes out. A censor has been appointed over
very freeman's table and wardrobe to prescribe
who shall receive a loaf of bread and who a coat.
A lock bas been fastened upon every freeman's
well, with orders to whom " the cup of cold water"
shall be disposed. An arrest has been laid upon
every freeman's baggage, and every vehicle North
ward bound is subject to a halt and countermarch.
A system of the basest espionage has been estab
tablished in time of peace, among neighbors and
fellow citizens, which converts every man's own
household into spies and informers. All this and
more has been perpetrated amongst us in 1839.
Then, brethren, is there nothing to do? While
the enactments of the last Legislature defile our
Statute book, have we nothing to do? Before God
we are in our measure responsible for the contm
uance of the black laws. Let us not, I beseech
vou. be lulled into inactivity by the consideration
that these laws are likely to be imperative. What
is this to us ? Shall we be willing to wa'k under
the whin, because it may not for a time descend
upon us 'in stripes ! Shall we consent to have
manacles made in the chambers of our Capitols,
and stored up in'the public vaults, and remain at
ease because they are not already fitted to our
wrists? No Let us be resolved upon undoing
what has already been done as the only means of
redeeming our state from reproach and our necks
from the yoke.
With the earnest prayer that God may grant
your convention wisdom to plan successfully for
n i -r t r 1 i
the repeal or the iaci iaws, ana mess your con
sultations to the deliverance of the oppressed both
in Ohiand the South, and with assurances of
the warmest esteem for my personal acquaintan
ces who may be present, I remain,
Affectionately yours for th suffering slave.
JAS. A. THOME.
Dr. G. Bailey, Cor. Sec.
From the Emancipator.
The Iast Spasm ofAbolition ?
It is long now, since the New York anti-abolition
papers assured their southern arows that ab
olition was going to put forth its last, its mortal
spasm. The slaveholders have waited quite pa
tiently for the realization of this prophecy ; but
hope deferred makes them heart-sick, and they be
gin to feel a necessity for some new expedient.
In fact, it appears they have so often been deceiv
ed by the venality of our commercial press, that
they have resolve! to cast oil tne whole pack
The following paragraph, now going the rounds of
the papers, will show what is going on :
" A daily paper of the size of the Courier and
Enquirer, (and at the same price,) called the " Uni
ted Stales Sentinel and national Union, will be
published early next month, by Messrs. E. Hud
son 8c Co. of New York. It will advocate the
political doctrines of the present administration,
and will go strongly against anti-slavery and abo
lition principles, in every shape. A large amount
of money has already been subscribed to sustain
it John C. Calhoun being among its chief sup
porters, he alone having put down his name for
five thousand dollars." Boston Transcript.
That this is not a mere tale, is proved by the
following Prospectus, which we have put up in a
conspicuous place in the Anti-Slavery office, and
which we find also copied in a leading Democratic
paper, the New Hampshire Gazette.
PROSPECTUS.
UNITED STATES SENTINEL,
AND NATIONAL UNION,
A Daily Morning Taper, to he published in the
City of New-York.
A FEW words will explain the principles
which this paper will advocate. It will be
the uncompromising and watchful foe of Aboli
tion, which is but another name for Disunion. It
will aim to convince the many amongst us, who
have been misled by prejudice and fanaticism,
that they have no business to interfere with the
domestic institutions of the South. It will prove
to them that if civil war and separation result from
their unholy crusade, the shame and the sin are
upon their heads. It will prove to the abolition
merchant who is amassing a fortune from South
ern patronage that he makes a poor return by
waging war upon his brethren. It will spread
before our northern community the truth on this
agitating question, without tavor and without lear.
The time has come when the danger must be
looked in the face. Treason is abroad. The ab
olitionists no longer work in secret. They have
acquired boldness and confidence. They openly
avow their determination of dictating the South.
They compass heaen and earth to make prose
lytes. No deception is too deep, no falsehood too
gross for them,, provided they can add to their
number. Tliey play upon the passions and per
vert the feelings of. the unsuspicious and unen
lightened, through the pulpit and through the
press and if not checked in their mad career at
once and effectually, the day is not far distant
when the bonds of our union will be severed.
The question is plainly put to us as the people
of the North, " What have we to gain by Dis
union? What have we not to lose?" Let us open
our eyes then to the danger ere it be too late. Let
us discountenance the traitors and the treason.
Our interests and our honor are at stake, and fa
naticism will not hesitate to sacrifice both.
The political principles of the Sentinel will be
strictly Democratic. It will advocate and uphold
the policy of the National Administration, and
will support for the Presidency the Candidate who
receives the nomination of the National Conven
tion of the Democracy, which will be held at Bal
timore.
Especial attention will bo paid to the depart
ment of Commercial intelligence, and all informa
tion relative to the Cotton Trade, and the inter
ests of that great staple of the country.
In the News department, the Sentinel will be
surpassed by no other daily paper in the City,
and literature, the drama, the arts, and miscellany
will all receive their proper share of attention.
The people of the Union have before them the
avowal of the principles which will govern the
"United States Sentinel and National Union."
It will never prove recreant to its trust, and those
who are to conduct it hope that their efforts may
tend to preserve the harmony between North and
South, which ought never to have been disturbed.
Terms. Daily paper which, will be as large as
any of the morning papers of the city, ten dollars
per annum. Country paper, (semi-weekly,) hve
dollars per annum, payable in advance, or six dol
lars half yearly. In all cases where the subscrip
tion is not paid in advance, a city reference will
be requried."
KOnlSKT IS. HUDSON & CO.
New York, May 9, 1S39.
Do not the men who stand on the platform of
lavery, know whether the ground feels firm be
neath their feet? Would they be taking such ex
traordinary and expensive measures, of which the
leading and exclusive object is to counteract the
felt influence of abolition, if they believe the tales
ol New York editors nay, it they did not know
their lalsehood and baseness ( Uie announce
ment of this prospectus, subsequent to the Annual
Meeting of the National Society, fully justifies the
confidence of those abolitionists who then Believed
that the slaveholders would take small consolation
from that meeting ; and sustains also the cheerful
tone of hope which appears in their late " Address
to Abolitionists."
While we are deeply mortified, as Americans,
to think that such an enterprise should originate
and be sustained, in a northern city, after seven
years' labor of the abolitionists, and in the face of
the demonstrative tacts of the British West Indies
yet, on behalf of the Anti-Slavery Society, we
cannot but rejoice, on many accounts
We are glad to see the south putting a proper
estimate on the servile press of this city. The
mercenary character of their zeal for " Southern
Institutions" is seen through. Their rottenness
is rejected. The honor for which they have each
been so violently striving, of being thought fore
most in the infamy of defending slavery, has baf
fled them all. Nought remains to them but the
traitor's reflection ; that they hnve betrayed the
trust of liberty, and lost the reward.
We are also glad to know the extent to which
slavery has infected the body politic. How can
the remedy be applied, until the people at large
become cognizant of the depth of the disease ? And
nothing will make the people see,, but such de
velopments as these-. By and by they will know
that slavery is determined to retain its ascendan
cy, and to secure it against all possible struggles
of liberty. And they well know how possible it
13 for Northern men, like " Robert L. Hudson o.
Co.," to devote themselves, for gold, to the car of
slaveholding domination forever.
We are further gratified at the prospect of hav
ing the political game of the South played out in
the open view of the North ; because it will show
the true reason for the support which the South so
unanimously accord to Mr. Van Buren. It is not
because thev approve his measures, or love his
principles, l)iit solely because he is willing.to be
the tool of slavery. And they would drop him,
to-morrow, and take up with Henry Clay, should
they find that they were more in need of a cham
pion than a tool.
And, lastly, we arc glad to have a paper that
will take up pro-slnvery avowedly, and support it
with argument. We, therefore, hereby request
Messrs. Robert E. Hudson & Co. to send their pa
per to 143 Nassau- street, and receive the Emanci
pator in return we paying the difference.
N. B. Subscriptions received here.
THE VOICE OF FREEDOM
MONTPEI.1ER, SATURDAY, JULY 13, 1839.
Washington County Conference.
It is cheering, amidst the too general supincness
of northern ministers and churches, to meet with
such clear and plain-spoken resolutions as thefol
lowing, unanimously adopted by the Conference
of Conretrational Churches in this County at
their last monthly meeting. With the exception
of the noble testimony of the Black River Confer
ence, published last winter, we do not recollect
that any conference or association amongst the
congregational churches of Vermont, has spoken
out the plain language of immediate einancipa
tion, until now. True, the General Convention
has several times taken up the slavery question
with manifest reluctance resolved slavery into an
1 evil,' and then dismissed the subject with al
possible despatch. 11 we mistake not tne signs
of the times, the- feeling is becoming general, that
it is time to abandon the policy of quiet reserve
and meet the question as one of grave and practi
cal interest, vitally affecting the character of the
church and the interests of religion. The Con
grcgationalists of Vermont are, to some extent
beginning to see that, as a denomination, they are.
in this respect, far behind their Baptist and Meth
odist brethren. They are looking forward, with
more or less solicitude, to the meeting of the Gen
eral Convention to be holden at Montpelier in Au
gust, as a fitting occasion to give utterance to
their convictions through their representative bo
dy. It is most earnestly to be hoped that when
the Convention meets, there will be no attempt to
introduce the Philadelphia fashion of lynching dis
cussion," or any evasion of just responsibility
We subjoin the Washington County resolutions
only adding our hope that not only the- ministers
and churches who adopted them, but all others
may henceforth be found faithful. in the open ad
vocacy of the doctrines they set forth, until the
church and country shall be purged of the " com
plicated villany."
At a Conference of the Congregational Church
es in Waslnnsrton county, ho den at JVJidd esex
on the 20th and 27th of June, 1839, the following
resolutions on the subject ol slavery were unani
mously adopted :
1. Resolved, that the buying, selling, and hold
ing men as property, is a great sin against God,
a moral evil, fraught with incalculable mischief to
society, and destructive, in its tendency, of our
republican institutions, and opposed to the spirit
of our Constitution, and to the letter and spirit of
our Ueclaration ol Independence.
2. Resolved, that slavery, or thus holding hu
man beings as mere chattels or property, ought,
immediately and everywhere, especially in a gov
ernment like ours, to be abolished.
3. Resolved, that immediately ceasing to claim
and hold the slave as a slave, or property, is not
inconsistent with such lesral and temporary .ecu
lations and restraints, demanded by public good,
as may be necessary to prepare him tor the lull en
joyment of all the rights of a citizen.
4. Resolved, that it is the duty of the Legisla
ture of every slnve-holding State to adopt such
measures immediately as will renounce the prin
ciple of slavery as a right, and as will qualify the
enslaved population of our country properly to ap
preciate, enjoy and exercise the full privileges of
treemen: that when a slate legislature do adoptsuch
measures, they do virtually abolish slavfc-y and
cease to commit the sin involved in it.
5. Resolved, that it is the privilege and duty
of all the friends of human rights and the Consti
tution, in every part of the Union, to defend and
advocate the principles here advanced, to plead
the cause of the oppressed' in our land, and en
deavor by every lawful means, to convince our
fellow citizens at the South, who are guilty of this
sin, that it is a sin and a great political evil.
That in doing this, no ' carnal weapons' should
be used ; " speaking the truth in love" is the only
remedy God will own and bless. That while
these principles of universal liberty arc advocated
with a Gospel spirit, with gentleness, meekness
ana love, our oretnren at tne south ought to lis
ten to us, and heaf and consider our petitions with
candor.
6. Resolved, that in the present highly excited
and feverish state of the public mind on both sides
of the question, it is peculiarly the duty of profes
11 i.i ..t-i.i
sing christkms, and especially of the ministers of
our holy religion, while they aredecided, and firm,
and bold in defence of correct principles and prac
tice on this subject, not to forget their peculiar ob
ligations to act as peace-makers. That ob?oquy,
language that casts ridicule and contempt on men,
severe, harsh and disgraceful epithets towards
those who differ from us on this subject, is not
calculated to convince and persuade men but,
by an invariable law of our fallen natures, tends
rather to increase the evil we would correct in
others, and renders us, perhaps, equally guilty in
the sight of God.
Voted, that the Publishers of the Voice of Free
dom, Watchman, and Patriot, be respectfully re-J
quested to give the foregoing an insertion in their
respective papers.
Attest, B. W. SMITH, Moderator.
J. Stone, Scribe.
A False Issue.
In a lecture delivered in Middlebury, not long
since, Col. Miller animadverted with some severi
ty upon the conduct of slaveholding professors of
religion, who not unfrequently, in their contribu
tions to benevolent societies, may be said to pre
sent " robbery for offering." For the purpose of
illustration, a case was supposed, the American
Board being one party, and a slaveholding Vir
ginia deacon the other. A correspondent of the
Chronicle interprets the Colonel's remarks as a
deliberate attack upon the missionary cause, a
thrust at the American Board. The simple ques
tion is, on what terms our benevolent societies
should receive contributions from robbers. We
think this matter has been very ably and satisfac
torily discussed by Gerrit Smith in his letter to
John Tappan a document which we would
commend' to the notice of nil who have any doubts
as to the proper line of conduct of the American
Board and other societies whose treasuries are, in
part, supplied by the traffic in the bodies and sou
of the brethren of Jesus Christ. We intend to
publish Mr. Smith's excellent letter as soon as we
can obtain a copy.
National Anti-Slavery Convention.
Remember the great National Convention to be
held at Albany N. Y. on Wednesday, the 31
inst. It will probably continue in session two or
three days. The call does not confine itself
members of the society, or to those who approve
its meamres, or even of the existence of an organ
ized association. It is addressed to " all such free
men of the United States as adopt the principles
embodied in the constitution of the American An
ti-Slavery Soeiety." Vermont should have, aud
we trust she will have her full share of represen
tatives in that important assembly. In a circular
letter, which has been addressed to many individ
uals in the free states, inviting their attendance at
the Albany convention, the committee say :
" The leading object of the Convention is to de
vise and adopt measures for uniting the strength
of all the true friends of liberty, to break the pow
er which slavery has usurped over our nationa
policy, over the Federal Government, over the
pulpit and the press, and even ever the legislation
of the free states. 1 he great doctrine of Inalien
able Human Rights, on which our own right to
nationality is founded, must be restored to its pow
er. Ihe extensive abandonment of this pnncip
in all parts of our Union, the tendency to substi
tute might for right, the tame acquiescence in a
the demands of slavery, must be arrested, or our
country is undone.
" We are convinced that the only remedy is to
strike at the root ol this complicated villany, and
to make our statesmen and our free citizens see,
that the abolition of slavery, by peaceful and con
stitutional means, is the greatest political interest
ol the nation, and one which must engage the
counsels of the prudent, the eneigy of the influen
tial, and the united, persevering and steadfast de
termination of all who truly love and reverence
the cause of Human rreeuom.. In this point
view, we feel that much, perhaps every thintr de
pends on the approaching Convention. We do
not yet despair of the Republic ; but we know-
that it cannot be saved without a speedy, united
and powerful rally of the- true-hearted. And
where shall this begin, unless at such a Conven
tion ? That we may not be lacking in any influ
ence or any wisdom, of which each individual
friend of the cause owns and owes his proper pro
portion, we earnestly desire your attendance.
Sabbath Schools. A correspondent of the
Boston Atlas states that the most interesting part
of the celebration in New York was an assem
blage of thirteen thousand children, attendants on
Sabbath Sshools, accompanied by more than two
thousand teachers. They embarked on board
steam boats prepared for the occasion, and procee
ded to Staten Island, about nine miles from the
city, where they landed, partook of refreshments
and returned. The President of the U. States
and Governor Seward of New York, were in at
tendance. The Governor made an address.
Daniel Webster, in a letter dated London
June 12, addressed to the People of Massachu
setts, withdraws his name as a candidate for the
Presidency at the next election. '
Ihe July lerm of the Supreme Court for
Washington County, will commence on Tuesday
next. It is expected that the question of surren-
dry, in the case of Holmes, the alleged fugitive
from the justice of the, British Government, will
come- before the Court on Wednesday.
It is understood that Mr Van Ness, the late Min
ister to Spain, will appear as one of the counsel
for the prisoner.
The argument of Luther Lee, on the first page
n worthy the close- attention of every reader. We
especially ask those who may have read the long
letter of Francis S. Key, in which the sinfulness
of slavery is made to depend on circumstances, to
give Mr. Lee a careful hearing. Will the Ver
mont Chronicle publish the article, with com
ments, if need be ?
President Lord.
In 1S34, the Rev. Dr. Lord pronounced iumie
diate. emancipation " the only philosophical notion
of the duty of this nation in regard slavery." We
are glad to see, by a recent letter from the same
gentleman, published in the last Chronicle, that
he has not deteriorated in his philosophy. Re
serving the very able and timely letter of Presi
dent Lord for a future number, we cannot refrain
from giving a single extract, at once evincing the
characteristic independence of the man, and the
elevated tone of moral sentiment which prevails in
the flourishing institution over which he presides :
" I am an abolitionist. I hold to the moral
and political evil of slavery, and to the correspond
ing obligation of all men to attempt the immediate
and entire removal of it, according to their best
jndgment, and in such modes of action as are
proper in respect to other moral and patriotic en
terprises. I am as truly for abolitionism as for
Christianity, believeing them to be essentially re
lated. But I am no more concerned with the
follies of any individuals or parties of the one,
than of those individuals or sects of the other,
who may have grafted their own conceits upon
the parent stock. And it is proper to add, that I
should not feel myself called to answer for such
follies more in the one case than in the other. I
am responsible for my own opinions, and conduct,
and habitual associations. Others must stand or
fall to their own masters."
Henry Clay.
The National Gazette, leading Whig paper
in Pennsylvania, after speaking rather lightly of
the late Chambersburgh Convention, whereat J'"r,
Clay received an approving vote of 50 out c. 7-5
delegates twenty-five counties fh. the state beinf
entirely unrepresented remarks :.
" We entertain as high respect for Mr. Clay as
any of our fellow-citizens possibly can, and would
wish him, above all others, to succeed the present
Chief Magistrate. But personal preference can
not b lind us to plain facts. We do not believe
from the evidence of the past that Mr. Clay can
get the electoral vote of Pennsylvania. Ohio he
will also lose, and probably Indiana."
Col. Miller.
The last Vermont Chronicle charges this gen
tleman with the design of " breaking down minis
ters and breaking up churches that will not pro
nounce his Shibboleth." The editor says, " We
understand on good authority that he avows it."
Col. Miller desires us to say that he has made
no such avowal as the Chronicle imputes to him.
"Courts Martial."
We are pained to learn that the so-called courts
martial, recently held in this town and in Worces
ter, have been characterized by highly reprehen
sible proceedings on the part of persons summon
ed as delinquents. Intoxicating drinks,, it seems,
are to be thrust into court in the place of good
manners. If there is either authority or self-respect
remaining with the court, we hope it will yet
be made to appear ; if not, let it be understood
that the law has lost its supremacy.
A Testimonial.
The widow of the martyred Lovejoy, who, with
her mother and family, now resides at Quincy,
Illinois, has just received a letter from the " Hai
tian Abolition Society," tendering a present of
four bags ofcoffee, in the purchase and shipment eX
which about seventy dollars had been expended.
We copy from the Philanthropist :
" Port au Prince, August 27th, 1838. !
"Madam :
I conceive that the Board of Managers of the
Haitian Abolition Society have conferred an honor
on me, by instructing me to inform you of the sym-
patny anu condolence ol our -society with you m
the loss of your beloved and ever to be lamented
husband.
I am gratified to inform you further that we hav
transmitted to Mr. Lewis C. Gunn, of Philadel
phia, per schooner Cyrus, four bars of coffee.
subject to your order.
Accept, Madam, this small donation as a token
of the high esteem in which we hold the funda
mental principle your husband advocated, and of
the respectful consideration in which you are held
by this Institution-
Your obedient servant,
L.. G. HAMILTON, Cor. Sec." '
Could the chivalrous Mr. Wise himself have
done a nobler deed ?
Which one of all the institutions o our refined
country, has expressed sympathy with the martyr
ed widow, more delicately and substantially than
me emancipaieu slave republic f Yet with more
than pharisaic pride, we shrink from them, and
cry 'stand thou there, for I am holier than thou.'
Ohio.
The following are among the resolutions adop
ted by the abolitionists of Ohio, at their" recent
state meeting at Putnam :
Resolved, that the Honorable Henry Clay, in his
ate speech on Abolition in the Senate of the Uni
ted States, so far from occupying the high position
of an American statesman, comprehending in hi.
views and solicitudes the interests of the whole
country, and founding his opinions and policy on
the principles of eternal justice, has prostituted
himself to the support of an interest, sectional in
character, radically wrong in principle, despotic in
demand, violent and reckless in measures, adverse
to the highest welfare of the Union, and at war
with Humanity.
ihesotved, that while his grave and inflammato
ry misrepresentations of the movements, motives
and principles of abolitionists, qualify him to as
sume the championship of the slaveholding inter
est : the false and dangerous principles, mercena
ry arguments, rank selfishness, apathy to the
wrongs of the oppressed, unblushing sympathy
with the oppressor, everv where nrominnnt in hi
speech, and the complacent presumption with
which he calculates on the continued blessing of
God upon a system of never ending slavery, ad
ded to his own nerststance in the accursed nrac
tice of slaveholdincr. disnualifv him foranv officf
of honor and influence among a free people.
Uesolved, that, since Mr. Van Jiuren, as rresi-
ent of the Senate, rave his casting vote in favor
of Mr. Calhoun's bill to prohibit the free circula
tion by the mail, of papers favorable to. Human
Rights afterward, at his inauguration as Presi
dent of the United States, pledged himself to veto
any bill which might be passed by both Houses
f Congress for the abolition ol slavery in the Dis-
ict of Columbia, unless the same should be sup
ported by the slaveholding States has given no
vulence, so lar as is known to this meeting, that
he is not, up to this time, favorable to the perpet
uation of slavery in the South, and that he is not
to the full a ' Northern President with Southern
principles' he is therefore undeserving of sup
port, as a candidate for the first ofhec of this Gov
rnmcnt.