Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-05-12

those rights and spend our efforts in unmeanng
tentons and useless quarrels with each other will not
our country hold us responsible Our interests
have been sacrificed our rights have been trampled
upon; our State has been disgraced as have here
tofore shown Yet we have divided DER efforts, and
separated from our political associates, and delivered
the honor Of our State 10 the keeping OF pnrty whu
forgefvl Of tho dignity of freemen, have shown
themselves willing TO become the cdfchcrs 81 sidres,
and 10 degrade themselves and their State by legisu.
ting for the sole purpose Of robing their fellow men
dowed them. But desire to examine little further
the cause of our separation at the late election The
Wings supported our tariff; our harbor improve
mens the distribution of the proceeds of the public
with Hayth the right Of petition, the slave trade in
the District OF Columbia, received from them gener-
ally. much less attention., although they were not ne.
elected by portion Of that party. These latter sub
portion Of political friends; these they bcstow-
ed their principal thoughts and treated the others
with comparatively little attention. In this manner
each party felt that they were exertng Their efforts
upon subjects Of vital interest TO our country, and
each considered the other laborng in behalf Of in
terests that were not worthy Of the attention paid to
them.
In this way each party became dissatisfied with the
| other, Here then, 10 the precise point OF DIVISION
among our friends not because either did prong but
because each felt that the other not sufficiently
Jealous in supporting all their interests. The divs-
ion did not ARISE from any political SIN OF commission,
ocrac patty has violently opposed those rights which
Liberty men deemed sacred. The Wings were luke
warm in supporting them; and, on this account our
Liberty friends Withdrew from Us, and thereby dev-
cred over our interests to the disposal of those whose
bitterness against the rights Of men can scarcely find
uttcrance in our language Having thus ascertaned
the cause, and the precise point Of our separation
the remedy is plain. 1t CONSISTS simply in doing ou,
dity-in maintaining our rights and interests, aad
firmly resisting all abuses; N placing ourselves upon
the exact line of The Constitution and temporarily
but resolutey, opposing all encroachmens upon oui
interests our honor. or our constitutional privileges
am aware that many of our editors and public mcr
Ear that the assertion and maintenance of our rights
in regard to slavery, would drive from us our Whla
friends in the slave States If these frars wei
grounded, they would form no good reason why we
should surrender our constitutional rights in order
purchase their adherence his is the policy OF the
opposite party They appear anxious to surrender W
rights, orr interests, and our honor, for the pur
chase Of southern votes. II the Wings attempt TO RI
val tina, party in serrity they must fail. The indie
pendent spirit, the high sense Of honor the paiou'
sentiment of our Wings, will not permit them to e
, c,me subservent TO the slaveholdlng interest Bu
the argument IS not wel-founded. Our southern
Wings are generally men Of liberal and patriotic sen
timents. They will not ask of US the sacrifice of
constitutional tights. On the contrary, they will b.
as willing TO grant us the enjoyment of all our rights
as TO demand the enjoyment of all their own.
they are not such men, they arc unfit to be the ms
sociates of northern Wings. 1t is, however, true
that they, well northern men. have not, hereto
fore uly understood our rights, Tor the reason ina
we, ourselves, dare not assert them and they, n
well .s northern men, have unconscOnsly voted ant
acted in opposition 10 the rights Of the free States
under the impression that they were sustaining tn
, Constitution But when the attention of our sout,
ern and northern Wings shall he directed to this sub
jet; when they shall have fully investigated it, an
shall understand the constitutional limits of slavery
| apprehend there will he no difference between them
1t j. therefore, all important that public atentio
should he directed to this matter. Indeed ntelligenc
in regard 10 northern rights cannot be longer SIR
pressed. spirit of inquiry is abroad among N
people, and it is increasing daily, and beconin
stronger and stronger. A marked and palpah
change has taken place n the public mind within III
past wear. In February last almost the entire pres
united in the opinion that we were bound to supper
the coastwise slave trade o. the souh. At this tim
who is willing to hazard his reputation by advocaIn
such doctriue? Yet with such examples before II
portion Of press and of our public men, exhih
much tmidity rs 10 asserting and maintaining o,
constitutional rights. So long have the people Of II
north cen accustomed 10 silent submission, whe
our rights have been invaded, that many of our Il
: itors, our statesman and politicians, still appear
7 doubt the safety of an open, frank, and manly d
n fence Of orr interest and our honor. II, howeve
needs spirit Of prophecy to foretell the downfa
of any party, who has not the moral and polite
courage 10 maintain the rights anil interests Of II
north. If the Wings come forth TO the defence
success is not less certain than the continuance
time; and If the opposite party continue to oppo
these rights and interests their defeat is inevitable
g PAClFICUS.
n wide the late numhera IF tho e Obi, Statesman