I write in response to representative Kari Dolan’s legislative column of last week.
First, deep thanks to Ms. Dolan for her faithful efforts to represent our citizens here in our beautiful Mad River Valley, and her ongoing work to make our “brave little state” a more resilient place moving into what promises to be an interesting decade ahead.
Second, a quick correction to the record. In her column, Ms. Dolan refers to “Proposal 2,” which is “an amendment to Article 1 of the Vermont Constitution” that is “historically significant in that it is the source of the anti-slavery provision that made the Vermont Constitution of 1777 the first state constitution to outlaw slavery.”
All true, except – Vermont was not a state in 1777, but an independent and sovereign republic, founded as such by said 1777 Constitution referenced by Ms. Dolan, and governed as such for 14 years, during which time the first Republic of Vermont (1777-1791) coined its own money (“Vermont Res Publica“), fielded its own militia, established its own post office and governed its own affairs. Indeed, as constitutional historian Peter Onuf observes, Vermont was the only state of 50 to “self-constitute as an independent and sovereign republic.”
Vermont’s status as an independent and sovereign republic is particularly important to remember every January, the month our Vermont Legislature declared in 2006 by joint resolution No. R-105 to be Vermont Independence Month.
To quote directly from said resolution:
“Whereas, the Vermont Constitution was the first state constitution to abolish slavery, establish universal suffrage for all adult males regardless of race, and to create a system of public education, and
“Whereas, these events are worthy of observance each year in commemoration of Vermont’s independence and constitutional adoption, now therefore be it resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives
“That January be observed annually as Vermont History and Independence Month in recognition of the momentous events which resulted in the establishment of the state of Vermont.”
According to our 2017 statewide poll conducted by the University of Vermont’s Center for Rural Studies, 21 percent of Vermonters are now in favor of exploring a second Vermont Republic – the highest percentage in support since we began conducting the poll close to two decades ago.
So, happy Vermont Independence Month.
Friends and neighbors, next time you are out and about, be sure to hoist your flagons of delicious locally brewed Vermont craft beer and quaff ’em to celebrate our once and future Vermont republic!
Rob Williams is a Waitsfield resident.
