The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-06-14
BY A WING OF OHIO.
NUMBER V.

VIOLATIONS OF THE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
| UED.
Mr.. EDITOR Inn last communication,
| referred to some of the instances in which
the money, collected from our people of the
free States, had been appropriated directly
TO the support of slavery. 1t is now nv
purpose to refer to some instances in which
the people of the free States have been CON-
PEELED 10 suffer pecuniary inconvenience and
loss, for the benefit of the slaveholding inter.
ests of the south.
1t is more than forty years since the peo-
pie of Hayti, following the example which
we had set the n, achieved their independ.
ence, and established a government of their
own.-By their acis of valor and patriot
ism. they became as much entitled to rank
among The governments Of the earth, rs we
did by our revolution. This claim has been
acknowledged by France and England, and,
indeed, so far as am Informed. by all the
civilized nations of the earth, ercepl the u
nited States. So far from recognising the
government of Hayti, at an early day we
passed law to suppress all commercial! in
tercourse between our people and the PEG.
pie ofthat Island. wide act of Congress,
approved 2sth February, 1867 This was
done because the people had, most ofthem,
been slaves; and it was designed to with
hold from them our provisions in order TO
bring upon them famine and distress, lest
their example might induce the slaves in our
southern States 10 assert their liberty. 1t
is tue that hazardous and uncertain trade
has existed between our people Of New
England and those of Hayti, but we have
been virtually cut off from the profits and
advantages of commerce with that island,
for the reason that intercourse with that
people might affect the slaves of the south.
ern States, and render them discontinued in
their chains of bondage. Most of this time
we have been virtually excluded from the
commerce the British West India Islands.
In the meantime Hayti has offered 10 our
merchants golden temptations for their A
merican produce. These temptations ilIay
were compelled 10 forego in order that the
southern slaves nigh, be held in ignorance
of their rights. Our farmers of Ohio have
been denied market for their wheat, flour,
beof, pork, and other produce, in order TO
maintain such state Of ignorance in the
slave States as would enable the masters 10
hold their slaves in subsection.
have already alluded TO the fact that. by
law existing in most of the slave States,
colored seamen, when they arrive in port,
are liable TO be seized and imprisoned. lest
their presence might create desire for lib
eny among the slaves. If The persons thus
imprisoned are found unable 10 pay the ex.
trayagant charges for their arrest and i'm
prisonment, they are to be sold into slavery.
These proceedings have operated as a tax
upon the commerce of our northern States.
Thus have our interests been made 10 subs
serve the interests of slavery. In this way
the Federal Government has extended its
fostering care over that institution. at the
expense of the people Of the free StaIes.-
For forty years we have thus been rendered
tributary TO the slave States. Our Govern.
.ment still refuses TO enter into commercial
relations with that of Hayti. and the inter-
ests of our shipowners, our sailors, our mer-
chants, our mechanics and farmers, are de-
pressed and discouraged, in order thar ig-
norance and slavery may be prolonged in
the south. And where are our statesmen
or our editors. of either party, who boldly
denounce this fragrant abuse Of northern in>
terests and northern rights! Nay, | appeal
to every thinking,candid man, to say wheth>
er frank and temperate maintenance Of
our rights on this subject has not been re-
garded as unconstitutional and dishonorable
BY portion Of our people of the NORTH So
long, so tamely and silently, have We been
accustomed TO yield up our interests for The
benefits of slavery, that an open assertion Of
our rights, and support of our interests, is
regarded with distrust and jealousy.
In 1916, our people of the free States
were deeply engaged in commerce; our
ships navigated every sea ; our sailors were
numerous our merchants we're enjoying a
profitable commerce our farmers were en-.
couraged by a ready market for their pre-
ducts. The war, then but just closed, had
left our nation in debt hundred millions
of dollars was 10 be raised, beside the cur.
rent expenses of Government. Southern
statesmen considered that the interests of
the slaveholding States would be promoted
BY levying this vas sum upon the commerce
of the free States. The command was CIV
en-, and the blow was struck. Twelve thou.
sand seamen were turned out Of employ.
commerce was crippled. and thousands of
our ship owners and merchants were ruined,
and the industry OF the north was, for a sea.
son, paralyzed for the purpose of relieving
the slave States of their due proportion Of
our public debt and the expenses of Govern
ment.
At length our people of the north gradu>
ally conformed to the tariff of 1916, and
subsequent amendments. They vested
their fortunes, accumulated by industry and
economy, in the factories designed TO sup
ply our nation with such fabrics as were
deemed necessary 10 the comfort of our peo-
pie. Our laborers again found employ :
Industry was encouraged. Our farmers of
Ohio found a ready market for their pro-
duce; prosperity again cheered every de.
partment Of society in the free States. Our
public revenues we're ample. Our national
debt was paid off; our harbor improvements,