George G. Ritchie to Frederick Douglass, August 4, 1852
Morrisville, August 4th, 1852.
Dear Douglass:—Our Madison friends have just closed on of the most encouraging county meetings I have ever attended. I forward you herewith the minutes. The meeting was called at one P.M.; but by ten o'clock in the forenoon many had got together. Among these, we noticed our friend, D. H. Frost, Esq., of the Oneida Telegraph; Rev. A Scoffield, of Georgetown; Rev. B. F. Remington, of Peterboro; O. Simmons, Esq., [illegible] Bronson, Esq., B. Woodman, Esq., and others of the tried and true. The Rev. Mr. Gonzalves, whose name you have doubtless noticed, as a converted Roman Catholic, who has taken up his residence in Madison County, and who, we should judge, is a thorough-going abolitionist, was also present. The signs indicated a full and spirited meeting, in which we were not disappointed. The current, as you will see by the resolutions passed, was strong towards union with the Pittsburgh Convention, pro-rated that the body took right ground, of which there are indications. Letters of an encouraging character were read from the Hon. E. W. Fox, of Orleans County, and the Hon. S. P. Chase. God grant that there may be union between all classes of abolitionists, not only in name, but in truth, and on truth!
Yours as ever,
Geroge G. Ritchie
MADISON COUNTY LIBERTY PARTY CONVENTION.
At one P.M., the Convention met in the Presbyterian house, and was called to order by the Rev. A SCOFIELD, of Georgetown, who nominated B. WOODMAN, Esq., of Madison, for President of the Convention.
Rev. GEORGE G. RITCHIE, of Clinton, was chosen Secretary.
GERRIT SMITH, Esq., of Peterboro, Rev. B. C. HAWLEY, of Cesonaria, and S. S. ABBOTT, Esq., of Hamilton, were appointed a committee on resolutions.
During the absence of the committee, the Rev. Mr. SCOFIELD, by request, read the calls for the meeting, after which, he addressed the Convention.
GERRIT SMITH, Esq., from the committee on resolutions, reported the following:
Resolved, That, with both the great political parties pledged to uphold slavery, and
the fugitive slave law, and one of them to "[...]," and the other to "[illegible]" all discussion of these topics, and with the current religion on the side of parties, and, moreover, with a God in heaven to defend the cause of the oppressed, the prospect before this pre-eminently guilty nation, is, but too probably, one of darkness and death, instead of light and life.
Resolved, That neither the consideration that we are but a small number, nor the consideration that we are not like to attain that object, should be allowed to relax our endeavors, to bring the government of this nation to the side of truth and justice.
Resolved, That, inasmuch as no such abomination of slavery can be legalized, it is comparatively unimportant whether the Federal Constitution does, or does not attempt it.
Resolved, That the right to elect rulers is neither derived by Americans from the Federal Constitution, nor by others from the concessions of despots; but that, whatever the human regulations for its exercise, the right itself is derived from God, and should be [illegible] in every case where it can be.
Resolved, That, in the [...] that the approaching Convention at Pittsburgh will be a Convention not for our class, but for all classes of the friends of freedom, we proceed to appoint delegates to it; and, resolved, further, that the following persons be the delegates, viz: Gerrit Smith, of Peterboro, S. E. Church, of Hamilton; Henry Seymour, of Lebanon.
Resolved, That we hope that the Pittsburgh Convention will organize a permanent and [illegible] democratic party; and that it will distinctly and emphatically repudiate the idea that [...] form of piracy, can be legalized.
Resolved, That, as the approaching National Liberty Party Convention, at Buffalo, is to be a mass Convention of men and women, we appoint no delegates to it, but simply recommend all who love the principles of that party to endeavor to attend it.
Voted to accept the report of the Committee.
The resolutions were then read separately and adopted, with but two disputing votes on the question of adopting the first.
S. E. Church, Esq., offered a resolution endorsing the Buffalo Platform; but after discussion, it was withdrawn.
Voted, That when the Convention adjourn, it do so to the last Wednesday in August, at eleven, A.M.
Voted to adjourn.
Brownell Woodman, Pres't.
George G. Ritchie, Sec'y.