Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1839-07-02
PLEDGES BROKEN AND POWER ABUSED
SPEECH OF MIR. SLADE,
OF VERMONT

ON THE BILL MAKING APPROPRIATE IONS FOR
THE CIVIL AND DIPLOMATIC EXPENSES OF
THE GOVERNMENT FOR THE YEAR 1850.
delivered in the House of Representatives, Feb. %
An amendment TO the bill making appropriations
for the civil and diplomatic expenses Of tho Gov
eminent for the year 1889, being under conside-
ration in Committee of the Whole on the state of
the Jrion-
Mr.. SLADE rose. and said that il had not been
his intention to trouble The House. during the pres
ent session, with any remarks on the great qucs-
tons which divide the leading parties 10 the coun-
try. II was always with extreme reluctance that
he addressed the House and he felt his ordinary
embarrassment much increased by a consideration
of the extent and fulness of the discussions which
these questions had recently undergone here and
elsewhere. He had not the vanity to suppose that
he could adducc any new facts, or urge any new
arguments yet he deemed the present a crisis
when it is incumbent every man 10 do his duty
aud his whole duty; and when it becomes no man
to stand still until he can "do some great thing"
before lie attempts anything but TO do, according
TO his ability. whatever his hands find 10 do with ali
tween Executive Power and Constitutional Free
dom, every man should feel that he has deep
stake and that the efforts of the feeblest and hum
best may not be unavailing to turn the scale and
secure victory. III can influence but single
mind /; if can rouse but single freeman, and give
to his efforts right direction, shall be amply re-
warded.
But, sir, have other motives for addressing this
committee. Ii has been my lot TO stand on this
floor as on opponent Of slavery, and TO be idenli.
fed with those who are sometimes reprooched az
being men Of one idea ! in the contemplation Of
which they are SO eDgrossed as to overlook all 9th
er public interests. am willing to bear the re-
proach of being opposed TO slavery here and every
where. l am not ashamed to own that, TIM
subject, think much and feel deeply. But. sir
so far from forgetting other Interests, in my desir
for the emanc patton Of The ensaved, the contem
pla,ion of the great principles Of justice which lie 4
the foundation OF HAT cause does but inspire m
with firmer purpose to maintain another caus
with which those principles are deeply identified
! am opposed to slavery ofeyery kind ; to slave
~ of mind and slavery of body to the slaver
whose silken cords are artfully coiled around til
spirits of frcemen, as well bs TO the harsh and cru
ei bondage which forces The sweat and toll Of hi
who moves at the bidding Of taskmsster. 81
cannot stand still and see corruption sislkln
through this land, aud Gushing everything beneai
its tread, without standing up and opposing m
feeble strength to it's progress. No man can ei
y tmaie the consequences o. fSilure 10 the preset
effort 10 ares, it. The crisis is one of momei
tous and fearful interest. The triumph Of corn
ton now, may be It's enduring Triumph lrlufni
u, which may reach. in It's consequences, far beyot
= the time when African slavery shall have been 81
: terminsted--as pray Heaven ii may soon be-
from this and every other land. That slavery
y abhor and detesi, and shall do what nghlfll
!. can TO root il out from the world. Bot also d
:, test and abhor the slavery in which tue pohcy
|. this Administration has long sought TO bind y
;, ffeemen Of this country and luteDd 10 do VIII
- can 20 take away the power Of tie oppressor,
= that the oppressed may go free. In both cases
y am for emancipation without delay. In one, !
:, not expect TO see II accomplished Immediately
:" the other. hope TO see II effected on The An
J, March, l64l. Neither of these causes do int
u to forget for he other. The sword Of justice
10 two-edge6 and both he curse Of slavery and
q 'eorruptions Of Van Burenlsm may be made TO Il
it's power.
TIE People tired Of DiseH'sioH.
! have. Mr.. Chairman, listened to the recent
e. bate in this committee with some attention, q
.ir have heard some things which sounded TO me We
d strangely. % entering this Hall two days 81
et found gentleman from Msrsiand (M'. ioss'
a replying 10 the Arguments which had been urg
Of against this Administration. and protesting 10
he nd IL on ito afrsignment for corruption and abb
he Of power. And What did I bear from HIM WI
I'd err. instead ofa serious defence, there met my
nd a u,ast moafnf5i complaint Of waste Of time 10
,h discussion! Instead Of en- srgomeat. Ne ~
I'd grsysly and Ieproyingly told that The People
ns disssils6ed With % as delaiisg soaay'
nd cir, standing 10 the high position Of chairman o!