Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1839-02-20

are punished with death! Can so barbat-
Gus code be found elsewhere on the face
of the globe?
THE CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTION.
The Editor Of the N. H. Herald of Free
dom, who is a lawyer Of some note-and
by the way an editor CT great shrewdness
holds forth the following sentiments, on the
Constitutional question in regard 10 slave
~:
We cannot forbear 10 summon aos;,
The attention Of our countrymen, 10 the ,,-
rant resolutions of our Congress. Th.x
trample the Constitution under foot and
no man seems 10 be alarmed. The wing
papers censure it as they do other meas
ures originating with their opponents
and which they deem hostile to the pub.
lie interest But there is none Of that
deepIoned and feeling apprehension that
betokens life in the people and sensibilily
to their rights. Their opponent papers
wink at II for The temporary advantage Of
patty. We print again the resolutions Of
fered by that base little man, who has b.
lrayed the honest and real democracy
among those who yo.ed for him, BY this
treason 10 liberty.
Resolved, That this government, is Of
; limited powers, and that BY the Consl,u.
ton OF the United States, Congress has no
i jurisdiction whatever over the institution
of slavery in the several states oLthe con.
y federacy.
g It's not true that the Constitution de-
e MES to Congress jurisdiction over slavery
IS in The several states. Suppose slavery 10
o be unjvst. Congress has power to abolish
: it-for the Constitution was ordained 10
establish justice If it disturb The domes-
le tic tranquility Of the country they may
'e abolish il, for the Constitution was or.
"a dained to ensure this; If il endangeu
Of the common deteHce' they may,-ior
% that the Constitution 'pTortdes for ii Il
"a impairs he general welfare they may
~ and musl,-for that the Constitution Is or.
l. dained TO promote : and il il en1angeu
Liberty they may and ought 10 abolish
ii,-for the winding up purpose Of the ma
ne tional compact was and Is TO ensure ID.
o. blessings OF liberty to oil The people and
. their posterity,' and Congress is The grand
organ of the nation 10 carry into effect all
;" these objects. They have rover to en-.
ID force the spirit and letter and purpose Of
Of the Constitution. If they have not, who
ro- hast If they have no., the Constitution
,ut is a nulliiy and q mockery. That slave.
m ry defeats all the express purposes Of tho
Constitution, is selfevideni. Our people
are bound 10 open their eyes TO u, and i
ere they do. they DlEsf see
" In section S.h wherein the powers o.
yn Congress are enumerated, II j. iaid-down
lat in the very first article, that they may u,
of taxes for the abolition OF slavery, provide.
Al. 1t be true, hat the abolition of slavery vii
:, provide for the general welfare Of the U
'nN Sl0tes or for the common defence |.
me 1t not selfevident that ii would do bosh
J OF and that both cannot be provided for with
- ont it, or either of them2 Does not slave
ery nv strip millions Of all defence and al
saL tUeLtare, bo.h slave and masteT2 And Ii
Iii the last article Congress shall have pow
er TO make ali laws which shall b. neces
axe sary for carrying into execution The pow
ers before enumerated, and all other pow
and ers vested by tins Constitution in the cor
the ernment of the United States In wit: all
ne. the powers indica>sd clearly md ineviis
-, by in,the preamble oS purposes i1r whic5
the Constitution was framed Ne ar,
glad to see Mr.. Adams, whose opiaion i
vat worth that of all Congress beside, vol:
nds against this resolution. We know aboli
ase tionists generally concede that Congress
rea- has not power over southern slavery, hu
= we instinclively and in,uitively see th'
- unsoundness of the concession. Souiherr
slavery is death 10 the Constitution, snd {
'ine Congress can't curb il and qurll il, Il ms
Inc no powers at all, and The Constitution g'
sors blank. If Congress can't abolish slave
the ~, it can't regulate or check il. Ii can
one pass any vote or resolve IN yindicailon
The any thing that will annoy il or eInbarrss
!, 1t or endanger its existence and growth
" l. can't then defend liberty Of speech, o
N of the press, or of assembly. or the righ
uits of opinion, CT of petition, for all these an
incompatible with southern slavery. An
ing, accordingly we see our Shareholders an'
ents their northern Jacks Jackals and jack
TOD asses, striking down these rights and l.t
- critics at the bidding Of The peculiar Ins'f
snu- tution.' But we are ashamed TO argn
any this. IL is seif-evident, that Congress ia
aid power 10 aGf@et all tie inte@ts o. The Ce'
the SlituLiOa."
del Is il fact that the editor Of tn. Vermont Tss
ess graph was delegate TO the Loco Convention
aiiddlebury F-Beliors Falls Gazette.
4 Vi Until have evidence TO the contrary,
ana will believe that the Editor Of the Gazette
pie, after askino such n ona.t;on hacora biS read