Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1839-02-13

Iuil ana lair discussion. But 1 do say, !
that as for the abolition of slavery in this
District of Columbia, as at present advs-
ed, would not vote for it. say again, !
| would not vote in favor of it, if the ques-
ton should come up this day. And re-
tam this opinion after the lapse OF six
years since [ presented the first petition
on the subject; Notwithstanding all the
argument have seen; and many able
arguments have seen; have read with |
great care all that is said on the abolition |
side of the question in their periodicals, |
ournals, and pamphlets. have read
them all: | have weighed and considered
them we'll; and have not yet seen reason
TO change my opinion. 1 wish them
clearly to understand this"
Mr.. ADAMS SPEECH.--Read the whole
OF it, before you Judge of it. We observe
that many OF the papers are treating this
speech as If it were statement Of Mr. AID
ANS position with regard to the subject
OF slavery ana lis abolition, and especially
wiki regard to the action of Congress On
the subject. This is great error. 1t will
b observed, that when MIR. Thompson OF
5. &. proposed certain questinos, the old
man stifly refused to answer them, until
such time as the House would take eff
the paddock from his lips and hear hun
BY this movement, he has doubtless put
the ro-slavery advocates on the tenter-
hooks and he will not let them off easily
BY comparing this speech with that
which he delivered two years ago, and
with his letters to the nominating commit
tee. and to the r. I. A. S. Society, we are
| led 10 believe, that Mr.. Adams is opposed
to the abolition Of slavery in the District,
mainly because he does not take the same
| view with Us and with the writers Of the
FeIeraIis, in regard to the object for
which the District was placed under the
exclusive Legislation OF Congress, as strict
y national domain, to be governed
solely with refele nce to the interests Of
the nation as ii whole; but that he also
puts low va lue on this movement, be-
cause he thinks it is striking only at one
of the branches of the system while he
woud direct the whole power of Congress
at the root oil the tree. Let the southern
members draw him out, and give him a
hearing, and we believe he will devel-
ope new views with regard to the pow
ers Of Congress, the abolition Of the in
te!state slave trade, the protection Of the
rights of all men and the duty which the
national government owes to itself under
the great primal law of self-preservaton.
None can see more clearly than Mr.. Ad-
ans, that it is becoming more and more
| II nd will he faStl
possible, to accommodate the same sys-
tenn Of legislation to subjects so hostile as
free labor and slave labor, human rights
and human chattelhood, liberty and slave
ry. If the South presist in maintaining
slavery, and the North persist in main
tanning free institutions, the natural repul-
siveness of the two systems will rend the
Union. Or if the North finally resolves
to uphold slavery, she will be driven TO
! re-establish it at home, even though the
subjects be Angio-Saxon. Let Nj. AID.
ans bring forward his views, in the shape
of definite measure which he is willing
to propose for adoption, and to expeud lht
. remainder of his public life in carrying
: thro' g. the pro Slaveryme will have Iittl,
reason to congratulate themselves on &C
count of a division between him and Us
q We shall be greatly disappointed Ii sucf
a disclosure should not bring large por
tons of the South to a serious considera
. ton of the great question, and TO measure
:, of preparation for final settlement of tn
- subject. .s-
With regard to the question itself, Q
= the abolition Of slavery ia the District 0
i Columbia, 1t IS proper 10 remark, that a
abolltionists did not receive the doctrn
: from Mr.. Adams, SO they will feel unde
! no obligations to abandon the measure be
;, cause he IS not prepared to give it his sur
, port. 1t remains as true as it was before
that the existence of slavery and the slay
7 trade in the District is great nationa
disgrace, which the national legislatur
: are not under the shadow of obligation t
retain; and that, so far as Congress
= bound TO regald the rights and interests
= = individuals, it is bound to pay precisel
q the same regard to the welfare of tn
= slave as of his master, and to pro- ect th
- hts and interests ofthe eolored .inhabi
: ants with precisely he same laws as thos
:, of the whites. A,simple enactment re-
- ognizing this principle, would abolis
- - slavery in the District at a blow. n
!, evea Mr.. Adams skill in dialects can d.
o. stroy this conclusion. The PRUDENT
= question, whether it is acise for the abol
a :ionists to expend SO large q portion
nJ their efforts on this point, is another ma
. ter; but that the thing itself is right, "
l. are as well satisfied as we We're before
nd EmanclpaL0r.
i2- CAPITAL PUNISHMENT.
Rumor says Governor Jenlson has 7