The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-06-29

That if the state should be of opinion that the ex
ercise of the power would tend to the destruction
Gifts independence and sovereignty, or to the dis
rlrhance of the public peace, or in fact to the de-
terment of the general welfare each state had the
right, and it would be its duty to refuse such de-
livery. That it ought TO be remembered that the
slave states claimed the slave as sheer article Of
property; that we did not permit an article OF
property, say horse or an OK, to be taken from
our state but in pursuance of our own laws, much
less ought we to permit man to be taken, whom
we acknowledge i'll our own constitution 10 be born
free and independent. That as a sovereign state
we PROFESSIONALLY had power to provide by law
the mode and manner of determining claim to
any article of property before such article could
be removed from our state and the reason was
much stronger that person whom we can only
know as freeman, until the contrary is shewn,
should be protested by our laws and that shelving
must be in pursuance of and in conformity there
to. That our state ought 10 provide by law for
the reclamation and delivery of runaway slaves |
admitted, and we ought to require from the claim
ant strict compliance with such laws, insisted.
/ remarked, that the principles | had advanced
might by many be considered new and danger
ous but with what reflection had been able TO
bestow on this subject my mind was strongly i'm
pressed with their truth; however ! might still
be in error, and would be extremely glad to meet
any gentleman in public discussion on this point
who thought me so /; that truth and the safety and
peace ofthe country alone was my object.
| am solicitous to understand the nature and
power of slavery in our country and will add at
this time one or two suggestions by way of in
quiry, which hope some gentleman will explain
| understand the shareholders to say and insist,
that the United States government has no power
whatever over their slaves; that slavery is pc
culiar institution ofthe states. The question then
is, can slave commit treason against the United
States or can he be guilty of counterfeting the
current coin of the United States or any other
crime against the General Government If so
Congress can provide by law in any possible case
for the enlistment of slaves into the service of the
United States 1t seems to me that if slaves are
subject to the power of Congress in any of the
foregoing cases, it must follow as necessary con-
sequence that Congress have power over the
whole slave system as it exists in the United
States. Will you be so good as to obtain an an
swer from gentleman in whose candour and legal
attanments you have confidence, to the foregoing
intenogatores, as shall be absent from the city
an opportunity to do so before return.
Yours with respect
THOS. MORRIS.
Why will not some of our bay state democrats
take up their pens to answer the inquiries of their
brother the ex-senator of Ohio and settle the ques-
ton between him and the great Mr.. Atherton-
a question which will split their party, if they do
not seasonably attend to it-and one which has
already made split between the party and its
principles ?-Mass. Abolitionia.