Liberty Convention

 The Marietta Intelligencer, August 13, 1846

Pursuant to the call of the Central Committee, the Liberty Men of Washington County met at the Court House in Marietta on Saturday, August 1st, for the purpose of nominating candidates to be supported at the ensuing election. The Convention was organized by the election of Moses K. Soule, Esq., President, and Charles McCabe as Secretary. Their deliberations resulted in the following nominations and resolutions:

Representative - Joel Tuttle

Commissioner - Levi Heald

Sheriff - Benjamin Soule

Recorder - R. D. Hollister

Coroner - William Glessner

Director of Poor House - John C. McCoy

Resolved: That we recommend to the Liberty men of this Congressional District to hold a District Convention at McConnelsville on the 27th of August next for the purpose of nominating a suitable candidate for Congress, and that the delegates from this county are hereby instructed to present to that Convention the name of James Lawton of Washington County as a suitable person to receive such nomination.

Whereupon, David Putnam, Jr., Thomas Ridgeway, Joel Tuttle, A. G. Grubb, G. W. Richards, L. M. Parker, D. H. Pettie, J. C. McCoy, Levi Heald, Thomas Porter, S. W. Smith, Philo Mathews and Milton Smith were appointed delegates to attend the McConnelsville Convention, with power to fill any vacancies that may occur, or add to their numbers as they may see proper.

Whereas, the African Slave trade is by the government of the United States declared piracy, and the American slave trade too delicate a subject for public discussion, except by slave holders and slave traders, who hold it as a Bible institution,

Resolved: Therefore, as the deliberate sense of this meeting, that if the African slave trade is justly declared piracy on account of the horrors unavoidable connected with it, that the American slave trade, having all the horrible features of the African, should be in like manner considered a system of piracy against the best interests of the human race - and in its tendencies destructive of the great interests of humanity and religion, both to master and slave.

Resolved: That in view of the interpretation of scripture in the slave states of this Union, many are finding authority for enslaving their brethren, and sons and daughters, by the expression heathen that are around them, it becomes a grave question of great importance to us in the free states to know whether they are not beginning to consider us the heathen that are around them, and accordingly catching (at least every colored man) and making slaves of them, under their interpretation of the Jewish statute.

Resolved: That we rejoice in the evident extension of Anti-Slavery sentiments among the people of our State, and the country at large, and that this fact induces us to hold on the "even tenor" of our way, regardless of tramels of the old parties, who are afraid to vote and speak for the oppressed and down-trodden in our midst.

Resolved: That among the many helps to the cause of liberty, we view the circumstances connected with the "Parkersburg outrage" as very efficient; and among the individuals engaged in that affair, John J. Jackson, Esq., Prosecuting Attorney for Wood County, stands preeminent, whose aid to the cause of Anti-Slavery, however unintentional on his part, we cheerfully acknowledge.