ANTI-SLAVERY MEETING.

Preamble and Resolutions presented and adopted at a meeting held in Northfield, Franklin Co., March 28, 1836, and by adjournment on the 4th and 7th of April, for the purpose of forming an Anti-slavery Society.

Since GOD hath made of one blood all nations of men, for to dwell on all the face of the earth, therefore,

Resolved,- That the division of caste on the pretext of occupation, blood, or color, is a daring infringement on the laws of creation; in direct opposition to the letter and spirit of the Bible, and prejudicial to the best interests of man.

Resolved- That the recent expression of public sentiment, by addresses in public meetings in every section of the country, in our Halls of Legislation, and in the annual Messages of our Executive, shew that all the birth-right liberties of our country are in jeopardy.

Resolved- That every friend of his county, every friend of liberty, every friend of justice and humanity, is loudly called upon to assist in maintaining the right of free discussion: the right of unrestrained locomotion for all who have not forfeited it by crime; the right of legal protection, and redress of wrongs.

Resolved- That as advocates of immediate emancipation, we adopt the sentiment of all anti-slavery societies to regard the Constitutional laws of the United States by disclaiming all acts of violence, and using only moral means for the speedy and entire abolotion of slavery.

CONSTITUTION.

Article 1.- This society shall be called the Northfield Anti-slavery Society, auxiliary to the 'Old Hampshire Anti-slavery Society.'
Art. 2.- The object of this society shall be to investigate and expose the abominations of the slave system, and the sin of slave holding; to co-operate with kindred societies in all peaceable measures for delivering the oppressed out of the hand of the oppressor, by operating on the consciences of the slave holders, thus leading him to loose the bands of wickedness, and let the oppressed go free.
Art. 3.- Any person may become a member of the society by signing the constitution.
Art. 4.- The officers shall be a President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
Art. 5.- All monies shall be raised by voluntary contributions and appropriated by the officers, or by a vote of its members.
Art. 6.- The anniversary of this society shall be held on the first Wednesday of January.

OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY.

Dea. Phinehas Field, President; Jonathan Cutting, Vice President, and Secretary; Moses Field, Treasurer.
Voted, That the Secretary forward a copy of the official proceedings of the above meetings for publication in the Greenfield Gazette & Franklin Herald.

JONATHAN CUTTING, Secretary.
(c) Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, Deerfield MA. All rights reserved.
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The 1830s were the heyday of the formation of anti-slavery societies. Associations were established at the town, county and state levels. Northfield, Massachusetts held a meeting from March 28 to April 7, 1836 to form an anti-slavery society. This article reports on the resolutions and constitution for the society which were adopted at that meeting. The three officers of the society were prominent members of the town of Northfield. The Greenfield Gazette and Franklin Herald was the newspaper in Greenfield, Massachusetts, from June 26, 1827 to June 27, 1837. It changed its name to the Gazette & Mercury.

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