Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1839-04-03

# all these rights, we acknowledge sub I s
eciion to the laws of the sta.e in witch we
ire, and our liability for their abuse. We I
wish peace with all men; and that the
most anicabe relations and free inter-
course may exist between the citizens of
our state and our eiohboring slavehold-
ing states; we will not enter their states, +
either in our proper persons, or BY con-
missioners, legislative resolutions, or 9TH
erwise, to interfere with their slave policy
or slave laws; and we shall expect from
them and their citizens like return, that
they do not enter our territories for the +
purpose Of violating orr laws in the pun
shment Of our people for the exercise of
their undoubted rights-the liberty Of
speech and of the press on the subject of
slavery. We ask that no man shall be
siezed and transported beyond our state in
violation of our laws, and that we shall
not be carried into and imprisoned in an
other state for acts done in our own. We
contend that the slaveholding power is
properly chargeable with all the riots and
disorders which take place On account of
slavery. We can live in peace with all
our sister States; if that power will be
controlled by law, each can exersise and
enjoy the full benefits secured bv their own
laws, and this is all we ask. If we hold
up slavery to the view of an impartial
public as it is, and ifsuch view creates as
constituent and indignation, surely we are
not TO be charged as libelIers. A state
institution ought to be considered the
pride, not the shame. of the state and, if
we falsify such institutions, the disgrace
is ours, not theirs. If slavery however,
lis blemish, blot, an eating cancer in
the body polite, it is not our fault if, by
holding it up, others should see in the
mirror of truth its deformity, and shrink
back from the view. We have not, and
we intend not, to use any weapons against
slavery, but the moral power of truth, and
the force of public opinion. If we enter
the slave states, and tamper with the slave
contrary to law, punish Us: we deserve it;
and if the Shareholder is found in free
state, and is guilty of a breach Of the law
there. be also ought to be punished -
These petitioners, as far as | understand,
disclain all right to enter slave state for
the purpose of intercourse with the slave.
1t is the master whom they wish to ad-
dress; and they ask and GU ght to receive
protection from the laws, as they are viii
ling to be judged by the laws. We in
| vie into the arena of public discussion in
our state. the Shareholder; we are willing
! to hear his reasons and facts ia favor of
slavery or against abolitionists; we do not
fear his errors while we are ourselves free
to combat them. The angry feehr gs
which IN some degree exist between the
citizens Of the free and slaveholdine states
on account of slavery, are, in many cases,
properly chargeable to those who support
and defend slavery. Attempts are almost
daily making to force the execution OF
slave laws in the free states; at least, their
power and principles; and no term is too
reproachful 10 be applied to those who re.
sist such acts. and contend for the rights
secured to every man under their own
laws. We are often reminded that We
ought to take color as evidence of property
IN human being. We do not believe in
such evidence, nor do we believe that q
man can Justly be made property by hu
man laws. We acknowledge, however
that man, not thing, may be held t.
service or labor under the laws of state
and, if he escape into another state, h
ought to be delivered up on claim of tht
party to whom such labor or service may
be due; that this delivery ought to be II
: pursuance of the state where such per
f son is found, and not by virtue of an,
act of Congress.
This brings me, Mr.. President, to the
, consideration of the petition presented BY
the Senator from Kentucky, and to an ex
animation of the views he has presented
70 the Senate on this highly important sub
ject. Sir, feel, sensibly feel, my mad
) equacy In entering into controversy with
that old and reteran Senator: but nothing
| high or low shall prevent me from ali
: honest discharge Of my duty here. l
{ imperfectly done, it may be ascribed tc
: the want of ability, not intention. fifth,
4 power of my mind, and the strength O
| my body, were equal to the task, woulc
| arouse every man-yes, every woman
and child in the country, to the danger
1 which besets them, if such doctrines ane
E views as are presented by the Senator
4 should ever be carried into effect Hi:
A denunciations are against abolitionists
r and under that term are classed all thos,
/. who petition Congress on the subject o
r slavery. Such understand to be his ar
' gument, and as such shall treat it. /. il
Y the first place. put in broad denial to al
: his general facls, charging this portion O
: my fellow-citizens with improper motives
| or dangerous designs. That their act
: are lawful, the Senator does not pretend
/ to deny. l call for proof to sustain hi
charnes None such has been offered