Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1843-04-07
WATCHMAN Il STATE JOURNAL
FRIDAY, APRIL z, ls43.
THE PUBLIC LANDs-sLAvERY

A very important movement has recently been
made in the Legislature of Illinois, and so made
as TO leave no room TO doubt that formidable Of
fort will be attempted to rob the old states of their
right in the public lands, ahd at the same time i'm.
plicate the Union still deeper in the iniamy Of sus.
tanning slavery. To effect this monstrous scheme.
the way openly proposed is, n coalition Of tho
new states with the slave States first in con-
cert in convention. But we will give the account
as we find it, in rlpe organ OF the Nntiona Exrcu.
tive, viz the Madisonian. A correspondent writes
from The capital of Illinois, stating that a COM
ntieo Of The House had reported the following
resolutions:
Whereas, deep and lasting interests are nvol-
ye,tk the tssrib,tion Of the proceeds o. tho pub
lie hints, calculated to affect the interests Of the
west and southwestern Stntes-sovpreigu mem
bsrs OF the conlederacy-and without a speedy
change in the policy adopted by the General Gov.
eminent, the relation oil landlord aud tenant must
long exist between the Western States and their
Older sisters OF this nation und whereas, for the
purposes Of efficient and successful action, it will
become necessary TO act with union and conces-
sion and whereas, we view with the deepest con-
Germ the continual increase OF deserlion OF the
slaves OF brethren of tho slaveho,ding States,
and feeling that with effect to check the
properly, there should he harmony and good I'm.
derslanhng between the saveholding and nom
slayeholding States in the valley of the Mississip-
p;
Therefore, he it resolved, That we recommend
10 our brethren OF the STATES of Louisiana, Mis-
sissippi Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkan-
sas, Missouri, lndiuna, Ohio, and Michigan, to meet
in general convention at Joneshoro, Illinois, on
the fourth day Of July next, for the purpose of de-
Vislng ways and means TO effect these desirable
objects First 10 he admitted into the Union of
these United Suites on an equal footing in all re-
specls with the older members of this Republic
mud like them possess the right of eminent domain
Second, the best means of preventing the slaves
of the siavehohling States from desertion from
their masters and restoring such as shah DESERT
at convenient places, TO their mHsters.
Resolved, That the Governor transmit copies of
this preamble and resolution to the Governors of
the several Stnles above mentioned
The correspondent Of the Madisonian tffirlns
that this convention will be holden, aud TINT an
effort vii be made to unite the south western and
western new states in supper, Of the measures
agreed to by this convention.
The Madisonian treats this ms very inpor,an,
movement as most surely it will be- if seriously
atempted-perhaps quite as important as the ex-
istence of the Union, for it is doubtful whether
the Union could survive The contamination of The |
designs embraced in these resolutions The coup
ling of the public lands with slavery, says The |
Madsonan, will make It easy for The states inter
csted to neg in concert and their emitted power is
considered sufficient to decide not only the meas
ures proposed by, This convention, bot SHE ad- !
nlnis!rstiou Of public oflairt" That paper fur
Their snys,-
"There is another proposition for the applicn-
ton of the proceeds of the public lands, which
we learn will he submitted to tie Convention, that
is: the proposition To apply the proceeds OF the
public lands ms sinking fund to pay the interest
and absorb the capital OF an issue of Government
sock, to be delivered to railroad companies on
permanent contracts for the transportation OF the
mails aud troops and munitions of war tho in.
teres OF which TO he fair equivalent for the SER
vice TO he rendered. Connected with this is MIR.
WickIiffes proposition to reduce the postage.
"Ilis proposition comes in aid Of Mr.. CAL
houn's, and may be adopted in connexisn with il
md there is possibility of the ultimate success
of both measures should the proposed Conven-
lion agree upon them and bring it's influence 10
beur III their support"
What has been the fute OF ihe resolutions in the
Illinois legislature, We know not. The mere sug-
geslion Of measures like this ought to I've sufii-
cenl to arouse the attention of every freeman in
the land, and leud him TO thorough understand.
ing of the rights Of the states in the mater Of
slavery and OF the public domain.