Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1841-04-12

US wen as 10 put 1t up, to repeal as well as pass
save laws !! And II they now declare that they
nave no right to NEEDLE with slavery, do they not
pass sentence against themselves, condemn their
former acts, and make void all those laws respect
ing savery, which disgrace their statute book !?
u!au' should be, If Congress had nothing 10 do
with slavery, that that Honorable Body were
Wholy divorced from such disgraceful compau-
ION, ana tbat the whole subject III all its bearings
were thrown back upon the states. And | can
see no reason why the states that cherish slavery
should not be willing 10 take the bitter with the
sweet, and free both Congress and the free states
from all participation in their guilt. Shame that
Southern chivary should call to the North to pro
tect her domestic institutions. Besides if the
NortH may protect, why may she not destroy /?
why not inquire into the merits of the case, and
Judge between the parties, condemn the guilty
aud justify the innocent? And may not the uues-
tioh he started whether property can make an in
surrectlon IN the constitutional sense of the term
lere, MS well as in the case OF figtives from Jus.
'co clashng interests may arise, and discussion
grow hotter aud hotter. The South, then had
better take slavery for better or for worse into
!helr own hands, and manage the whole concern
IN thelr own way. Letthem do this, and we will
trouble Congress NO more with our abolition pet
ions; but if they will not do this, but hold us TO
thssclrsci, thcfs -yciats fair right to examine
me .l,, compact and to hold them to its stpulaons.
What then are the stpnlations? What the pow
ers vested in Congress, which bear on This slave
question: will mention the following:
l. Inc right TO tax slave property, Sec1, Art.
q =. 10 pass any law respecting slaves and
slavery, which they may at any time think neces-
sary Tor the common defence and general Deidre Of
me nation: Same Sec. B. To regulate the trade
III slaves between the States TO tax this trade or
10 declare it piracy. Same Sec. 4. To do what
soever they please under the war power. s. To
make treaties which shall affect slavery. g. To
repeal all The slave laws in the District of Colum
Dia and IN the Territories or to confirm them 7.
10 prohlblt the migration or importation of slaves
Art. L, Sec.9. AndS, The power 10 SUPPRESS
instructions authorizes Congress to inquire into
the nature and cause Of The insurreciion and de-
eide what means shall be employed to suppress it.
Ana should 1t be an insurrection of the slaves, |
see not why Congress might not conclude, that
The best way to suppress it would be to grant them
their demands, give them their rights declare them
free.
Ii these propositions are correct, then there is
ample room for Congress to NEEDLE with slavery
and TO spread their legislation over it. The diff
Gully is not want OF power, but want of dis3osi-
ton to use it. Now change may come and Con- |
gress may he disposed to all the powers grant
ed. Would it not then be wise in the South 10 take
their domestic institutions into their own hands |
and free the state governments and the general
government from all connection with slavery while |
they may? Now the South may assume the |
whole concern; but if she will not she must abide
the compact, tho written compact
KlAH BAILEY