Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1837-02-22
Vol. IX....No. %.

firm as the sturdy oak, and breast this South
ern storm-always severe at first, but soon
the genial breezes will return and there will
be mighty calm.
Before leave this subject, I will only
add, that in the opinion of Seventy-SK
man, Congress have no right to reject the
humble suit Of their constituents; much less
to treat their petitions with contempt, and
abuse them as fanatics, for differing with
them in opinion. 1t is the privilege of free
men to differ in opinion, and the duty Of
Congress to preserve the legitimate right Of
the people respectfully to petition, even
should these petitions not accord with the
views of part or all of that body,
1t is no good reason why petition should
be refused hearing, that the prayer cannot
be granted through difference of opinion in
the members of Congress. Nor is it suff-
cient reason for the rejection of petition
for the humiliation of slavery in the Dis
trict of Columbia, that slave, holding mem
bers of Congress may foam and fret, and
threaten to forsake the North. The people
must and will be heard. This right is am-
ply secured by the constitution and when
they have been patiently heard, it rs the pre-
rogative of Congress 10 decide, as on all otA-
er questions and the lovers Of freedom will
E cheerfully obey. Nothing short Of this
course will satisfy freeme of the North
To be rejected without hearing is so an
cient mode of legislation, and so unreasen-
able too, that it needs only to be named to
be discarded.
, 1t is we'll known to abolitionists, that
! Congress have no power to disturb the do
? mestc regulations of the slave States, in re-
G gard to slavery. They do not petition Con-
2 gress for this object, knowing it to be out Of
: their reach. But not so with the District Of
2 Columbia. Over this privileged plat Of ten
9 miles square, says the constitution, "Con-
, gress exercise exclusive legislation in all
% cases whatsoever" This is the soil Of
freemen, on which the unhallowed foot Of
# man-stealer or pirate has no right to tread
w for the nefarious purpose Of trafficking in hui
a man flesh. Slavers will never uncleneh the
20 iron grasp which freemen hold upon this
Of hallowed spot. Itmust and will be q domi-
10 Gil on which the wisdom of this nation
Id whose boast is freedom, may forever tread
| =? unpoluted with the blood of the hapless
ed slave.
ey 1t will be time enough for Southern gen
- tlemen to cry Hands off! when abolition
lists intermeddle with their domestic poll
cy" in any unlawful manner within the
slaveholding States. Until this is done
we say, be quiet, gentlemen, be quiet, and
improve your time by intrenching your
selves behind the constitution, and Their,
prepare for an onset Of the last description
~ for that is your only defensible ground.
" am confident that the District of Columbis
% is ground that cannot be broken for your De
fence.
,ht
'h+ For our national Legislature to reject The
ho humble and honorable petitions of the peo
on pie for the removal of the evil complained
OF, and spurn them from their hearing, is tn
all height OF tyranny, gross usurpation O
~ power, and f1lagrant violation of cons,itu
tho tional law. And why may we not look fo
M the same result on all petitions of the peo
tic Ple' however important, which do not sounc
cir pleasant to the congressional earl The
md people will then find the CALLING chains o
for slavery firmly fixed, not only on the colore&
mo man, but on all who may dare TO present {
49, humble petition of redress for him. or for 9th
er purposes.
m In the true spirit Of the patriots of '76,
leir cherish feelings of the most SOVEREIGN con
Try, 'en1p' ior Hi inc Northern members Of Con
t of gress who so sersilely truckle to thos,
on Southern nabobs, and shamefully unite witt
le- them against the humble right Of petition
will so fully granted by the constitution. mus
mi be permitted to say, that from my heart
han desplse their shameful course almost,
hat not quite, as much as do the Souther
or members, whose favor they so much seek
tue Vermont, I believe, may boast Of uni
, form delegation in Congress who eanuUt b
led by the nose. They are men who vii
'''s do their duty, as every man in Vermont ex
le'' poets they wills And from other Norther
oe States, hope to see high minded, indepen
not dent men, men who possess souls, and VIII
a'' believe all men, black and white, have soul
Ju- men who will dare to act untram melled t
10" all the bravado of "our Southern brethren.
'oo Indeed, If we have not such men to fill thes
eti- sto,;on. ,, ~ ''
and " o0'
iii rights as treemen, and may as we'll beg
to draw the dark and heavy expuneinq line