Constitution of the Free Produce Association of Western Vermont

Constitution of the Free Produce Association of Western Vermont

Believing that slaveholding is opposed to the sprit and tenor of the Christian religion, and mainly supported by the purchase of the productions of slave labor, were regard it our duty to abstain, as far as practicable, from the sue of such productions. With these views, and to increase the facilities in procuring goods produced by free labor, we unite in an Association under the title of the Free Produce Association of Western Vermont, and adopt for its Government with the following rules:


ARTICLE 1. This Association shall consist of such persons as concur in the above sentiments, and sign the Constitution.

ARTICLE 2. The objects of this Association shall be not to substitute this for other modes of Anti-Slavery actions, but to take up the Anti-Slavery enterprise where the church and ballot box heave it - to carry frequent Anti-Slavery action into the family circle of each of its members, to the counter of the store-keeper, to the factory of the exchange, as unreservedly as we would make it an affair of the church, or the business or legislative bodies - to stimulate ourselves in such practical Anti-Slavery efforts as a constant recurrence ft our leading principles would induce - to adopt means for obtaining a supply of articles the production of free labor, that cannot be other wise and impolicy of slave labor, the demolition of domestic comfort, of social and religious privileges, and the destruction of human life which it occasions, and the duty of withstanding from it our support.

ARTICLE 3. The Association shall meet annually, and at such other times as the Board of Managers shall direct.

ARTICLE 4. The officers of the Association shall be a President, two Vice Presidents, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and a Board of Managers, to be appointed at the Annual Meeting, and continue in office till others are appointed.

ARTICLE 5. The duties of the officers of the Association shall be similar to those in other associations , (defined in the by-laws) and they shall submit a report of their proceedings forth past year at the Annual Meeting.

ARTICLE 6. the Association shall correspond, as occasion may require, with such similar associations as may be established in promoting its objects.


ARTICLE 7. This Constitution may be altered or amended at any Annual Meeting of the Association , by a vote of two-thirds of the members present.



S. HUMPHREY, President, pro-term .
HENRY MILES, Corresponding Secretary.

6.9.1854