Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1839-04-10

TUE Union, the Senator says, are nothing.
lie says they aim at other objects than
those they profess-emancipaton in the
District OF Columbia No, says the Sen
a'or, their object is universal emancipa.
taon, not only in the District, but in the
Territories and in the States. Their OBJ
Ject is to set free three millions of negro
slaves. Who made the Senator, in his
place here, the censor of his feilow-citi-
zenS2 Who authorised him to charge
them with other objects than those they
profess? How long is it since the Sena-
tor himself on this floor, denounced slave
ry as an evil2 What other inducements
or objects had be then in view2 Suppose
universal emanci patton to be the object of
these petitioners; is it not noble and
praiseworthy object; worthy of the chris
tian, the phllanthropist, the statesman, and
the citizen? But the Senator says, 1.-THE
petitioners aim to excite one portion of
the country against another. ldenv, sir
this charge, and call for the proof it is
gratuitous, uncaled for and unjust tow
ards my feIlow-ci,iLens. This is the Ian
guage OF a stricken conscience, seeking
for the paIliation of its own acts by charg-
ing guilt upon others. 1t is the language
ofthose who, failing in argument, endeav-
or to cast suspicion upon the character of
their opponents, in order TO draw public
attention from themselves. 1t is the Ian
guage of disguise and concealment, and
not that of fair and honorable invrstiga-
ton, the obi ct of which is truth Iagain
put in a broad denial to this charge, that
any portion Of these petitioners, whom [
represent, seek to excite one portion ofthe
country against another; and without
proof, | cannot ad nit that the assertion of
the honorable Senator establishes the fact.
1t is but option, and naked assertion on
Iy. The Senator complains that the
means and views of The aboIitionists are
not confined to the securing the right of
petition only; no, they resort to other
means, he affirms, to the BALLOT BOX;
and If that fail, says the Senator, their
next appeal will be to the bayonet. Sir,
no man who is en- American in feeling
and in heart, but oughtto repel this charge
: instantly, and without any reservation
whatever, that if they fail at the ballot
box, they will resort to the bayonet II
such fratricida, course should ever be
thought of in our country, it will no: be
by those who seek redress of wrongs, by
exercising the right of petition, but by
those on ywho deny that right to others,
and seek 10 usurp the whole power of
Government. II The ballot box fail them,
the bayonct may be their resort, as mobs
and violence now are. Does the Senator
believe that any portion of the honest veo.
+ Emanry ofihe country entertain such thots ?
| hope he does not, If Thoughts of this
. kind exist, they are to be found in the
= hearts of aspil ants to Office, and their ad
}. herents, and none others. Who, sir, i,
If making this question political affair q
/, Not the petitioners. 1t was the slave
J. holding power which first made thi.
d move. | have noticed for some time pas
y that many of the public prints in this city
: as well as elsewhere, have been f.IeC
n with essays against abolitionists for exer
! cising the.rights of freemen.
d Both political pa'ties, however hav
l. courted them in private and denounce
: them IN public, and both have equally de
II ceived them. And who shall dare sa
F., that an abo,itioniSt has no right TO carr
Y his principles to the ballot boo? WI
of fears The bG!lot boz! The honest in hear
the lover of our country and its instiu
h lions No, sir 1t is feared by the ty
at rant; he who usurps power. and seizt
r on the liberty of others; he, for one, fear
y the ballot box. Where is the slave to pal
e, y in this country, who is SO lost to. h
lie own dignity, or so corrupted 5v intere
'e or power, that lie does not, or will NO
lie carry his principles and his Judgment il
S, 10 the ballot box? Such an one ought
,r have the mark Of Cain in his foreheae
N and sent to labor among the negro slave
IN Of the South, The honorable Senate
n seems anxious to take under bis care tn
lie ballot box, as he has the slave system
lie the country, and direct who shall or WI
a. shall not use it for the redress of grieva
b. ces. Suppose the power of the Execu
a. tive chair should take under lis care II
he right of voting, and should prescribe an
r. portion of our citizens who should carr
Il with them TO the polls OF election the
I'd own opinions, creeds, and doctrines. Tn
&c would at once be deathblow to our lii
v cries, and the remedy could only be four
ne i'll revolution. There can be no excus
er or pretext for revolution while the ball
ne box is free. Oar Government is not OF
ed of force but of principle; its foundatio
1t. rests on public opinion, and its hope is
to the morality of the nation. The NOR
al power of that Of the ballot box is suffice
. to correct all abuses. lie! me, then, pr
nd claim here, from this high arena, TO Il
IS. citizens not only of my own State, but
re- the country, to. all sects and parties wi
q 70 ll,d BIT of Slftra