Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1838-07-04
VERMONT TELEGR APH

secured to the people. Again, power was |
conferred on Congress to put stop to the
African slaye-trade, without which It was
bought, at that time, TO be impossible to |
slavery, as system, on this con-
!inent,-so great was the havoc its abuses
on human life. Authority was
also granted to Congress to prevent the
transfer of slaves, as articles of commerce,
from one State to another; and the intro
duction of slavery into the territories. All
this was crowned by the power OF refusing
admission into the Union, to any new State,
whose form of government was repugnant
to the great principles of liberty set forth
in that of the United States. The faithful
execution by Congress Of these powers it
was reasonably enough supposed, would,
at least, prevent the growth OF slavery, if
it did not entirely remove it. Congress did,
at the set time, execute one ofthem-deem-
ed, at that time, the most efectual OF the
whole-but, as it has turned out, the least
so. The effect of the Introduction of the
African slave-trade was not, to diminish
the trade ITSELF or greatly to mitigate its
horrors lit only changed its name from
African TO American-transferred the seat
of commerce from Africa to America-its
profits from African princes to American
farmers. Indeed, it is almost celtain, if
the African slave-t-ade had been left unre-
strained, that slavery would not have COW
cred so large portion of our country as it
does now. The cheap rate at which slaves
might have been imported by the planters
of the South would have prevented the
raising OF them for sale, by the farmers OF
Maryland, Virginia, and the other slave
selling States. If these States should be
deprived Of the profits of the commerce in
slaves, slavery could not be supported by
them for any length of time, or to any con-
siderable extent; they could not maintain
it as an economical system under the com
petition of free labor. 1t is owing 10 the
~Onuser by Congress, or rather TO their
unfaithful application of this power to the
other points, on which it was expected &c
act for the Limitation or determination o.
slavery, that the hopes of our fathers have
not been realized; and that slavery has, a
length, become so audacious, as openly tc
challenge the principles Of l776-to tram
pie on the most precious rights secured t.
the citizen-to menace the integrity of thu
Union, and the very existence Of the gov
eminent itself
Slavery has advanced TO its present po
sition by steps that were, at first, gradual
and, for long time, almost unnoticed at
terward, it made its way by intimidatin.
or corrupting those who ought to hav
been forward to resist its pretensions. U
10 the time ofthe missouri Compromise,
BY which the nation was wheedled out {
is honor, slavery was looked on as a n evi
that was finally to yield to the expanding
and ripening influences of our Constitu
tionaI princi pies and regulations. Why
has not yielded, we may easily see, by {
ven light glance at some ofthe incident
of our history.
1t has already been said, that we hav
been brought into our present condition b
; the unfaithfulness of Congress in not e:
: erting the power vested in it, to stop tt
: domestic sIave-trade, and in the abuse
;. the power of admitting "nea0 States in
D the Union. Kentucky made applicable
d in 1892, with a slave-holding Constitute
: With what mere technicatity Congre
e suffered itself to be dragged into torpor.-
a She toGs part Of one of the "Origin
= States"-and therefore entitled TO all the
e privileges. One precedent established,
b was easy to make another. Tenness'
$ was admitted in 1896, without scruple, (
y the same ground. The next triumph
n slavery was in 1903, in the purchase
d Louisiana, acknowledged afterward, ev'
s. by Mr.. Jefferson who made it, to be una
l. thorized by the Constitution-and in I
n establishment of slavery throughout
Is vast limits, actually and substantially u
e der the auspices Of that Instrument viii
te declares its only objects to be, "to form
E. more perfect union, establish JUSTICE,
s. sure DOMESTIC TRANQUILITY, provi
e, for the common defence, promote the &c
le ersl welfare. and secure the blessings
Or LIBERTYto ourselves and our posterity.
m In this case. the violation of the Con5til
n ton was suffered to pass with but little {
ey position, except from Massachusetts,
~ cause we were content to receive, in {
We change, multiplied commercial benefits
ee enlarged territorial limits.
st may be replied-the colored people were h
u as property by the laws of Louisiana previously
ID the cession, and that Congress had right to div
Our the newly acquired citizens of their property.
y statement is eVasiye 1t does not include nor tot
lat the question, which is this: Had Congress, or
in Treaty-making power, a right to recognize, and
II recognizing, to establish in a territory that had
Gu claim Of privilege on the ground of being par
in one of the Original States" condition Of thi
that il could not establish directly, because tn
was no grant in the Constitution Of power, direc
lat collateral, to do so-and because, to do so wa
til downright oppugnancy to the great principles
\ the Constitution itselfi The question may be e.
'h' y answered by stating the following case Supp
De- law had existed in Louisiana, previous to the
he sion, by which the children-Inale and female
nv oil snch narents were nMners of real es