Communications: For The Signal Of Liberty: Young Men's Liber...

At a meeting of the Antiskvery Young Men of Michigan, convened pursuant to public cali at the Court House, in the villageof Jackson, on Wednesday, Oct. lst. 1845, S. J. M. Hammond) of St. JosephCo., wascalled to the chair, and Jerome M. Treadwell, appointed1 Sec'y.-On motion, a Committee of five was appointed, 1q report business to the meeting and a plan for the organization of a Yüang Men's Liberty Association, whereupotl the following gentlemen were appointeb' such Committee: Jerome M. Treadwell, of Jackson. Dr. S. B. Thayer, of Calhoun Co. Frederick W. Collins, of Washtenaw Co. J. W. Brancroft, of Eaton Co. Henry C. Fairbanks, of Gennesee Co. On motion, the convention adjourned until two o'clock, P. M.AFTERNOON SES8ION. The Convention having met, the commiltee reported the names of the following gentlemen as officers of the convention, which nominations were unanimously confirmed. President, S. J. M. HAMMOND. Vice Prcsidcnls, S. B. THAYER, T. T. LYON. Secrctary, JEROME M. TREADWELL. The Officers of the Convention having taken theirseats, the committee reported the following Constitution for the orgnnization of a Young Men's Liberty Association which having been read article by article, and discussed by the Convention, was unanimously adopted. PREAMBLE. Whereas all men are endowed by their Creator with the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit ofness, tbr the secunty ot which rights, governmenls are instituted, derivingtheir just powers, only from the consent of the governed, and YVherens the security of Human Rights and the blessings of Liberty, was the object of the organization and establishment of the Government of of the United States, and the only purposes for which its powers are vaHd: and Whereas there exists within the jurisdiction, and with the consent and aid of the Government of the United States, a system of Slavery abhorrent to every principie of humanity or justice - at variance with the true principies of the Government - destructive of the ends of its forrnation - antngonistic to the rights and welfare of the People, and in its nature incompatible with a republican Government: And whereas, it is the duty ofry freeman whenever thereexists witliin the scope of the Government, an evil of such a nature as American Slnvery, or whenever the Government becomessubversive of, or fails to protect the riglits and interests of its subjects, to use all proper and eflectual measures to reform its abuses, and to preserve inviolate its designcd operation, as the Guardian of Human Rights, and the Protector of Human Liberty: And whereas, the system of Slavery in our country has becomean evil of such alarming mcgnitude, as to threaten the subversión of our Liberty, nnd as to demand the associated action of the People to procure its complete nbolishment, - and inasmuch as the system ofSIavery has in a great rneasure been sustainedand strengthened from the support and countenance of the Young Men of our country; Therefore we, the AntiSlavery Young Men of Michigan, inirërïtion assembled, do form oursélves into in Asaociation for the advancement of the cause of Liberty and adopt the following CONSTITUTJOX. Art. 1. This Association símil be cnllcd "The Young Men's Liberty Association of Michigan." Abt. 2. lts object sholl be to promote the cause of Human Freedom, the establishment and protection of Human Rights, and the nbolishment of Americnn Slnvery by prompt and efficiënt political action, for these purposes pledging ourselves to withhold from Slavehoiders and their supporters our suffrages. Art. &. lts officers shall be a President, 5 Vice Presidents, n Recording and Corresponding Secretary, a Treasurer, a Central Committeelobe composed of five persons, and an Executive Committee to be ccrmposed of three persons from each Couniyv all of vtfhich officers shall be eIccted annually. Art. 4. The dutics of the President shall be to preside at meetings of the Associalion, and to cali meetings of the same. Art. 5. The duties of the Viceidents shall be, in the absence 'of the President to perform his duties. Aut. 6. The Recording and Corresponding Secretnry shall keep a record of the proceedings of the Association, and conduct the correspondence of the same, under the direction of the Central Committee, of whieh Cormnittee he shall be one. Art. 7. The Treasurer shall keep tho tnonies of the Association and pay the same oul under the direction of the Association, or of the Central Committee. Art. 8. The duties of the Central CommiUee shall be to correspond with the members of the Êxecutive Committe.e, select and procure the distribution of AntiSlavery books, tracts, and documents, to extend the circulntion of Anti-Slavery newspapers, and to procuro the services of Antislavery Lccturers. Art. 9. The duties of the Executive Committee shall be to communicate with the Central Commitiee,,and to carry outthe duties of the Central Committee in the Counties where they reside. Art. 10. There shall be appointed by the President a Lecturing Commiltee, to consist of such persons as will pledge themsel ves to attend the calis of theCentral Committee, for the purpose of delivering antislavery nddresses. Art. 11. The annual meetings of the Association shall be held on the day succeeding the Anniversary of the State Anti-Slavery Society. Art. 12. Any person may become a member of this Association who subscribes to the sentiments of the 2d Article of this Constitution. Art. 13. This Constitution mny be amended by a vote of two thirds of the members present at any regular meeting. The foregoing Constitution havingbeen read and adopted the following series of resolutions, which, after ihe passage of a vote extending an invitation to all Liberty men present to particípate in the discussion, were read and considered separately, and an able advocacy from Messrs. S. J. M. Hammond, Jerome M. Treadwell, C. H. Stewart, Francis F. Youngs, S. M. Holmes, T. R. Harrison, S. B. Treadwell, Mr. Bradford, and other gentlemen, resolutions, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 were unanimously adopted. RESOLUTIONS. 1. Resolved That in the Declaration of American Independence, we recognize a true exposition of Human Rights and Liberty, and to those principies, we pledge our firm adherence. 2. Resolved, That the Constilution of the United State was ordained and established for the protection and security of Human Rights, and for these ends, shall receive our support and allegiance.3. Resolved, That in the administration of the government of the United States we recognize many flagrant deparlures from the true principies of the Constitution, destructive of the ends ofits formation, and subversive of the best interests and rights of man. 4. Resohed, That the nction of the Federal Government in the mnintenance and extensión of the system of Slavery, has been a continued, violation of the true spirit of Republicnnism, and should receive from theaction of the People a permanent and radical reformation. 5. Resolved, That in the language of Washington, there is but one proper and effectual mode by which the overthrow of American Slavery can be accomplished and that is by Legislative authority, and this so far as our suffrages can go, shall not be wantine.6. Resolved, That in the principies ' ind measures of the Liberty Party of the United States, are embodied the consistsnt and effective mensures, that alone can ( accomplish the abolition of Slavery, and ! regenérate our government and nation fromthe numberless evils the system has produced. 7. Resolved, That the lawless seizure and rémoval of the "True American" Press from Kentucky, th base and unwarranted attacks upon that noble friend of Liberty, Cassius M. Clay, - and the atrociousoutrages upon the colored peo pie in Lexington, were butcontinued and convincing evidences that Slavcry ia incompatible with Freedom, and cannot be maintained, but by encroachments on the rights and Liberty of the Free. 8. Resolved, That the Liberty Party in adopting as one of its fundamental principies, the liberty of Speech and of the Press, deserves the support of every friend of Liberty. 9. Resolved, That this cohvention hold in remembrance the unjust imprisonnïent of Charles T. Torry and other good and worlhy citizens, for no crime but the aiding of their fellow men to their inalienable rights, and that wc hold the branding and imprisonment of that noble seaman, Jonathan Walker, as a deep and burning disgrace upon our national character, which cannot be abliterated, but by the complete abolition of that sum of all viliany, American Siavery 10. Resolved, Thut the limitation in the Constitution of our State in regard to the elective franchise, in making color a test of citizenship, is invidious and unjust, and ought to be repealed. 11. Resolved, That we pledge ourselves to support the nominátions of thoae long tried and faithful friends of Liberty, James G. Birney, and Nathan M. Thomas, tbr Governor and Lieuteiiant Governor of this State at the coming election. On motlon, Messrs. S. M. Holmes, of Detroit, J. M. Treadyell and Francis F. Youngs of Jackson, Ilenry C. Fairbanks, of Gennessee, T. T. Lyon, of Wayne, we re appointed acommittee, to nomínate ofiicers of the Associstion for the ensuing year. %orv4.É0iiéilï The Convention were then entertained with a Liberty Song, "the blind Slaveboy" from Mr. Bañero ft. The consideraron of the remaining resolutions was on molion deferred until 7 o'clock P. M., at which time the remaining resolutions were considered and adopted, after remarksin their support from Messrs. Stewart, Holmes, Hammond, B rad ford, Treadwell, Dr. J. T. Willson, and others. The Secretary reported the reception of 160 ñames to the Association from the counties of Oakland, Eaton, St. Joseph, Kalamnzoo, Jackson, Calhoun, Wayne, Wa?htenav, Lenawee, Shiawassee, Gennese and Branch. The -eommittee appointed to nomínate officers for the Association, reported as follows, which nominations were unanimously confirmed, viz: For President, S. J. M, HAMMOND, of St. Joseph County. For Vice Presidenta, lst. S. M. Holmes, of Wayne Co., 2nd. W. C. Denison, of Kalamazoo County. 3rd. Dr. S. B. Thayeh, of Calhoun County. 4th. Leland Green, of Oakland Co. 5th. Lyman P. Perkins, of Lenawee County. Recording and Corresponding Secretary. Jerome M. Treadwell, of Jackson. Treasurer, Guy Foote, of Jackson. Central Commitiee. - Edmund Hall, Detroit; Dr. J. C. Gallup, Gennesec; Francis F. Youngs and Guy Foote, Jackson.EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. Wayne Co.-T. T. Lyon, Plymouth; George W. Swift, Nankin ; Francis Raymond, Detroit. Oakland Co. - Joseph A. Peck, Pontiac; R. Gilfillon, White Lake ; E. H. Fairchild. Gennesee Co. - D. W. C. Leech, J. G. Sutherland, Henry C. 3airbanks. Shiawassee Co. - Dr. J. B. Barnes, Owossn, C. P. Parkill, J. M. Goodhue. Monroe Co. - Mr. Holley, M on roe ; S. P. Munger, Dundee. Washtenaw Co. - Geo. Millerd, Dexter; Frederick W. Collins, Pittsfield; C. J. Garland, Ann Arbor. Lenawee Co. - George L. Crarie, A. drian; Joel Carpenter, Blissfield; J. M. Barrows, Franklin. Hillsdale Co.- David M. Bagley, Hillsdale, Lemuel Long, Litchfield, Wm. D. Moore, Adams. Kalamazoo Co. - Henry Montague, Asa C. Eastland, Kalamazooj F. W. Hatch, Schoolcraft.St. Joseph Co. - William Case, S. J. , íammondjCentreville; Albert H. Strong, , onstantine. Jackson Co. - T. R. Harrison, Clark j Z. Mendee, Jackson; D. M. GVaham, spring Arbor. , Eaton Co. - Johnson Montgomery, 3atón Rapidsj J. W. Bancroft, C. M. Uadj', 01 i vet. Branch Co. - John D. Zimmcrman, Horatio N. Blackman, Amasa Waters, Union City. Berrien Co. - John Orr, Niles. Calhoun Co. - Dr. Thayer, S. S. NichdIs, Battle Creek ; George lngersoll. Marshall. It was then, on molion, Resolved, That the Central Committee be authorized to fill any vacancies in the Executive Committee. On motion, Resolved, That the Secretary be instructed, to communicate with members of the Executive Committee in each County and request the procurement of funds, to be forwarded to the Central Committee, and also of names to the Association. Resolved, Thai the Central Committee be instructed to draft and publish in phamphlet form wilh the proceedings of this Convention an Address, to the Young Men of Michigan - setting forth the principies and design of our organization, and that the Executive' Gommittee in each county, be requested to procure its publication in the newspapers of their County. The names of a number of gentlemen were received to compose the Lecturing Committee. Mr. then eñlertained the Convention with a Liberty Song. On motion, it was Resolved, That ihe proceedings of the Convention be forwarded to the Signal of Liberty for publication. Oh motion, adjburned to meet at Marshall, fhe day succeedingthe annual meeting of the State Anti-Slavery Society.