Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1837-08-09

gIeSS, 10 dOOlISu Slo'CII III 'hO D'S'llN' vi
Columbia.
Right, however, is not necessarily incl
dental to power and the power to do an
act does not, on all occasions, and under
all circumstances, confer the right to do it,
Congress have this power, and in my
opinion, have also the right, which can
be exercised only in justice to the rights
Of others, without impairing in the small
est degree, their rights, under the consti-
tuition, or the law ofthe land, or disturbing
them in the enjoyment ofthe same.
Disguise it as you may, slavery is, in
The language of some of the most distin,
guished men in the slave holding States,
a moral, social, and political evil; and
whenever, and wherever it can be abol-
ished, without entailing upon the commu-
nifty an evil, as great, or greater than
slavery itself, it ought to be abolished. -
Unfortunately for US, it exists at this mo-
ment in the District of Columbia, in its
worst form. There is no slave holding
Slate in the Union, and perhaps no colo
ny of any European power, where, at
this time, it's evils are so great much has
been done in the last forty years for the
amelioration Of the condition of the slave
in every State in this Union but little,
very little in the District Of Columbia.
The slave there, is subject to, and
punished by laws, not as they nooo exist
in Maryland and Virginia, but as they
did exist in those States, before the re-
moval Of the seat of government. For
this same blame must be attached to Con-
gress for neglect Of legislation, on their
part. | went fully into this matter, when
the1e was bill before the House of Rep
resentatives, six years ago, TO reform the
penal code for the District. My remarks
you may have read. They were pub
lished in the Telegraph, a paper then
edited by Gen. Duff Green.
| have no hesitation in saying, that
Congress should sustain unabridged, the
rights of the people to petition for the abo,
ition of slavery, and the slave trade in
the District of Columbia, and upon all
subjects over which they have jursdic-
ton. The right to petition ought not in
any manner, to be abridged, and canno,
be, so long as we are a free people, OF
ours is free government. Such mem
bers Of Congress whose constituents view
slavery in the District of Columbia, in the
same light | do, should sustain by their
influence and votes, all the petitions fol
the immediate abolition of slavery in the
District Of Columbia; connecting with
such abolition, such protection and secu-
ritv of the rights of slave holders, in and
out of said District. as are guaranteed BY
the constitution Of the United States.
To the journals of the House, for the
last two years, might with propriety re
fer you, for my opinions upon the annex
alton of Texas to the y. States. | will
however, upon that subject, now add, tina
| never would vote the annexation of tina
State to the United States-siaverv at thu
time being tolerated therein; and as a
present advised, would not vote for TIL
annexation under any circumstances
When this takes place, it must be with tn
view to the taking of Texas into the Tn
ion, as country out of which one or NOR
states are to be formed, and to be admit
ted into our confederacY.
| am not prepar d to say that this cal
be done, without an infraction Of the con
stitution; and certainl Y not, without gros
injustice to the original States, diminish
ing their relative force, political powe
and influence.
: You have now my views upon all tn
sub ects you have submitted 10 my con
sideration. They are my views, and ar
not given for the occasion, or for politica
effect; they are the same which [ hav
long entertained, and at all times full
expressed. They are my views; and Il
regard TO them, it matters not with me
whether, 10 this State, or in the Union,
stand alone, am with or against the ma
iority.
But to satisfy you, that they are nc
E mew views or opinions, [ might, in add
ton to my recent votes, for confirmatIo
of what have said, confidently appeal
, my friend, who was my colleague, in tn
last Congress, to one at least, honofabi
friend of another State, a member of tn
: same Congress, with whom | was o
terms of the closest intimacy, and wit
,, whom | have frequently discussed a
! those questions, which have been submit
ted by that highly respectable associatio
. and order, whose organ you are.
| am with great respect, your very OBJ
dient servant. DUrEE J. PEARCE.
WIN. M. CHASE, Esq. Cor. Sec. &c.
The letter Of Mr. Pearce of Rhode-T
: land, is highly commemorate for its mani
: independence, and its unqualified conden
e nation of our greatest national dsgrac
u slavery and the slave trade in the Distri
e Of Columbia.-BOs Press