The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1841-04-13
For the CuIedonian.
SLAVERY wEAKENs THE NATION.

4 Ma. CHADwIcK:-In your paper of March I'd,
you tell that the grand aggregate Of our national
militia is 500 ,592. This is an imposing number.
and looks formidable on paper But is there no
draw back' Nothing to render n large portion of
these troops nugatory as 10 any national deience'
lin the slave states ard territories there are about
!63O 900 militia. In the free states SG2, 900 being
9232 600 more than in the slave stntes. Admitting
there is able bodied man to five persons among
the colorod population their number would bo 900
1000 Were these all free we might call them
friends, and add them to the sos 900 and so make
the grand aggregate 2,OOO,OO0. But they slaves
Acrushed down by the hand ofoppression and long
ling 10 break their chains and should war arise in
the land, they woull Join the enemy, and so free
4 themselves fiom slavery. Who could blame thems
$50 far az national defence is considered, we must
then count these 5OOo00 Blacks us enemies, who
must be watched and guarded Who shall perform
aihis service can the women and the children do
lii? Can the planters do it, Certainly not. Can
$780, 900 of the southern militia do iH This is very
doubtful. Let an invading army of20,000 land a
any where south of North Carolina, Proclaim liberty
Ito the slaves, furnish them with arms, and nvt.
ahem to Join their standard, would not the whole
4 white population be thrown into n perfect panic
land would not every man trembo for his own fam
9ily? This would certainly be the case. Who Their
would rally to resist the invading foe? Unde,
8snch circumstances what resistance could the IN iii
\ tia of the South oppose TO an enemy? is 1t no
\ perfectly evident, that the whole strength Of tn
ASouth must be neutralized9 Worse yet-the prob
liability it, that the Blacks would be the most eff
jcient troops; injured to hardslps, ready TO obc,
Htheir superlors, stung with resentment, and free
u with the love Of liberty they would rush to III,
Hcoict, and die or conquer. Embodied with 20,
1000 disciplined troops, would all the chivalry O
1.-THE South be able to resist The overwh lining flood
Look at tho mighty achievements performed il
aFlorda aud say.
Now such an event may occur. Europe is arm
ling for something. The nations, with which W,
ARE most likely TO come into conflict, know our pc
asiiion, can chose their own point of attack, anc
\ have black troops, which might be employed with
deffect. Can my one believe, that they would no
4 be Employed Trust not to past events. England
I is no longer savehoding people. She no Longer
Hears her black population She has converted them
into friends, and can arm them for war. Will she
aneglcct to do it should occasion offer In such ar
rive from the $50 900 of southern militia? TIL,
plumber may look wol on paper, what would it a
avai in tina hour of conflict? So far as our militar,
strength is concerned slavery must be an evil Of
immense magnitude. IL maintains army Of enc
mies, neutrazes near half of our military strength
3and invites invasion at the points vulnerable
lis there remedy for this eyil' Where ara oui
wise counselors? SENEX