Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1839-04-03
BRANDON, WEDNESDAY APRIL B. 1880


ton of our rights, proves that those right
are not dead, but living principle which
slavery cannot extinguish; and be my lot
what it may. shall, to the utmost of my
abilities, under all circumstances, and at
all times, contend for that freedom which
is the common gift of the Creator to all
men, and against the power of these two
great interests--the slave power of the
South, and the banking power of the
North-which are now uniting to rule
this country. The cotton bale and the
bank note have formed an alliance; the
Credit system with slave labor. These
two congenial spirits have at last met and
embraced each other, both looking to the
same object--to live upon the unrequited
labor of others-and have now erected
tor themselves common platform, as was
minated during the last session, on which
they can meet, and bid defiance. as they
hope, to free principles and free labor.
With these Introductory remarks, per-
NIT me, sir, to say here, and let no oNe
pretend TO misunderstood or misrepresent
me, that | charge gentlemen, when they
use the word AboIitionists, they mean Pc
titioners here such as | now present
men WHO love liberty. and are opposed
to s!avery-that in behalf of these CHI
zens | speak; and by whatever name
they may be called, it is those who are
opposed to slavery whose cause | advo-
cate. make no war upon the rights of
others. ] do no act but what is moral,
constitutional, and legal, against the pc
culiar institutions of any state: but acts
only in defence of my own rights, of nv
fellow-citizens, and, above all, of my state,
| shall not cease while the current of life
shall continue to flow.
| | shall, Mr.. President, in the further
consideration of this subject, endeavor to
prove, first, the right of the people to Pc
titon; second. why slavery is wrong. and
why | am opposed to it; third, the power
of slavery in this country, and its dangers
next, answer the question, SO often asked
what have the free states to do with slave
Iry? Then make some remarks by way
of answer to the arguments of the Sena.
tor from kentucky. Mr. CIayl
Mr.. President, the duty | am requested
to perform, is one of the highest which a
representative can be called on to dis
charge 1t is to make known to the le-
gislative body the will and the wishes OF
his constituents and feIIow-citizeus and
in the present case, feel honored by the
confidence repoSed in me, and proceed 70
discharge the duty. The petitioners have
not trusted to my EallibIe judgment alone
but have declared. in written documents
the most solemn expressions Of their will
1t is true these petitions have not beer
Sent here by the whole people ofthe Uni
led States, but from portion Of them on
ly; yet such is the justice of their claim
and the sure foundation on which it rests
: that no portion of the American people
: until day or two past, have thought il
either safe or eSpedlent to presentcounte
: petitions and even now, when counter
petitions have been presented. they dare
not Justify slavery, and the selling Of mer
and women in this District, but coaten
themselves with Directing to others enjoy
ing the rights they practice, and prayin:
Congress not to receive or hear petition
: from the people of the States-a new de
vice OF slave power this, never before tho
Of or practised in any country. l woul
e have been gratified if the inventors of thi
IT system, which denies TO others what the
II practice themselves had in their petition
e attempted to Justify slavery and the sav
IS trade in the District, If they believe tn
l. practice JUS, that their names might hay
Is gone down 10 posterity. No, sir; yer
le few Vet have the moral courage to recOr
their names to such al avowal and eve
g some of these petitioners are SO squean
l. ish on this subject, that they might, fro.
al conscientious principles, be prevented fro
u holding slaves. Not so, sir, with pet
IS TONERS whi,h | have the honor 10 repr
N sent; they are anxious that their sen
ne ments and their names should be mas
n matter of record they havano qualms
rh conscience on this subject; they ha
ST. deep convictions ana firm belief lh
1g slavery is an existing evil, incompatit
re with the principles of political liberty,
80, war with our system of Government, a
nd extending baleful and blasting infuen
rs over our country. whitening and b!igl
10 ing its fairest prospects AMI bright
lie hopes Who has said that these petitio
ne are unjust in principle, and on that grou
IL ought not to be granted? Who has 8;
ew it does not tarHish the fair fame of c
zen country2 Who has said it does not bri
dissipation and feebleness to our race, q
| of poverty and wretchedness to another,
lch its train2 Who has said it is not uni
my to the slave and injurious to the happin
it and best interests of the master! w
ON has said it does not break the bonds Of
Flo man affection, BY separating the wife Fl
hat the husband, and children from their p
der ents Ia fine, who has said it is n'
nth blot unnn our counlrY's honor, and