State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-11-15

tered since il was adopted; and It may he
altered again and again. And any State or
convention of citizens have right to take
suitable measures to effect any change
which they may wish to have effected. If
slavery is an oGious feature in our Consti-
tuition, n moral blot, those who are convinc-
ed of this fact have perfect right TO assem-
BILE together in peaceable manner, to in
terchange their views and to adopt all con-
stitutonal measures to obtain on this sub
iect an alteration in the constitution. Or
should it be found at last, that the ertrdor-
dinaru favor showed to the slave states in
allowing them slave representation in
Congress was working ruin to the free
states, those states, or any one of them, or
any number of their citizens, would have a
right to discuss the subject, to publish their
sentiments, to petition Congress, and TO adj
opt measures to have this extraordinary
feature of our national compact altered
And it would be violation of their inalien-
able and chartered rights, should any man
or body of men attempt by threats or vio-
lence to prevent them from meeting or act
ing on such an occasion. How absurd then
the hue and cry against abolltionists What
if they should even think that our Constltu-
ton might again be altered for the better,
and should take all proper measures to eff
feet this object? Would this be rebellion,
or treason, or any evidence that they were
not seeking the best interests of their coun-
this a crime? How then, can you justify
those who have altered the original COM
pact? Our Constitution is not like the law
of The Modes and Persians, that altereth no:.
1t was made tor the good of the people,
For some reason it has been amended and
it may for good reasons be amended again.
And any number Of citizens may Mt any
time in a peaceabIe manner assemble and
discuss any part of the Constitution, and
take measures to effect an alteration. And
those are the real enemies of the Constitu-
ton, and of the sacred rights of their fellow
men, who would by violence prevent 9TH
ers from exercising this right.
The right to petition Congress is not a
favor granted, but right reserved, which
Congress may not infringe. And this re-
served right clearly implies that Congress
is b5und to receive all such petitions, to give
them candid hearing, and to remove the
grievance complained of, or to offer to the
agrieved the reasons which induce them to
refuse. And when they will not respect
this sacred right, they act the paris of ty-
rants, break through the restraints of the
Constitution, violate their oatls, and show
that they are unworthy the confidence of
the people, and of the high stations which
they occupy. AboIitonists have then, a
perfect right TO petition Congress to remove
the grievance of which they complain
They ought to he sustained in exercising
this right by all the friends of civi liberty.
And Congress has no moro right to deny,
or to evade, or to trihe with their petitions,
than they have to burn the Constitution,
oyerturn the government, and establish an
absolute monarchy. do hope, then, that
all will assert this right, and that all who in
heart dislike slavery, will next winter petit
ton Congress to forbid the vile slave trade
ut the seat of Government, and TO Danish
slavery from the District of Columbia
Here there should be no fiinching. And
if our government will disregard our petit
tons, and still spread their protection over
slavery and the slave trade, let them have all
the honor.
AN OLD MAN.