Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1843-03-17

10 suppress thc CiOttHce, ana not to support
Stdvery. Such escapes of slaves would
prove a total abolition of slavery. Where
then would be the guronty7 But suppose
the slaves engage in, and continue the vio-
lence il will then be the duty Of our troops
to Stag them. Would such killing of staUcs
be a support Of Siaocry? 1t would be so far
an abolition of slavery, and if all the slaves
be thus slain, slavery would be abolished
(for no new importatons can be made under
our laws.) Where then will be our guaran-
ty! Again if the slaves should stubborny
refuse to labor or to obey their masters they
would thereby work the abolition of slavery
But would such an act obligate the Fede-
raj Government to furnish obedient SER
wants or should they commit suicide, and
thereby abolish the institution would the
United States become liable as guarantors
Or, were they to pursue a course Of secret
destruction of their masters property and
thus compel their owners to emamcipate
them could the shareholders demand indem-
nifty ofthe Federal Government Or, should
the slaves pursue any other course which
would inevitably destroy that institution,
would the Federal Government: be held re-
sponsible? | apprehend but one answer
can be given to these inierrogatories But
some politicians give more loose and in
dehnate construction to this section. They
hold that, as Congress is bound to lend its
protection when called on TO suppress do
nestle violence, il is their duty, in time of
peace, TO provide arms, troops and fortifi-
cations for that purpose, and to have them
so distributed as TO intimidate the slaves to
obedience. If this construction be correct,
II is certainly one that was not foresecn or
intended by the trainers the Constitution.
fit be correct, the freemen of the north
may be taxed TO erect fertilization on
every plantation south of mason and Dix
ons line" and TO furnish body guard TO
every STAKEHOLDER and overseer in the United
States. Indeed, such construction would
render it the duty of our freemen of the
north TO go to the Slave States, and act us
lie-guards TO the slave holders But there
is, in this section, no authority for the Fed
eral Government TO act on the subject until
actual violence takes place. The President
cannot order out the troops of the U. States
TO suppress an Instruction, even when ac-
tual violence has occurred, unless his aid
reader will see that two things are neces-
sary to authorize the President to interfere
LIST. There must be actual violence.
I'd. There must be demand OF aid
from the Federal Government by the State
authorities.
Without these the President has no pow
er TO act. lfviolence arise, il is the priv
ilege of the State Government TO suppress
il, and TO enforce their own laws, if they
please. In such case the President has no
power 10 order the troops of the United
States into the field. If the Shareholders
anticipate violence from their slaves, they
are at full liberty to remove all danger BY
emancipating them. But the President
has no power TO send our lroops 10 the slave
States to guard the masters and oyerseers,
while they whip, and scourge, and torture
their slaves, to compel them TO labor, for
the support, and to promote the luxury, of
their owners Yet such is substantially,
the doctrine avowed and inculcated by some
northern politicians, as well as southern
shareholders and the question comes home
TO our editors and public men, whether
such views shall be pressed upon the public
mind, without examination and contra
diction!
have now examined the only clause in
our Constitution relied upon by those who
urge that slavery exists in the southern
States under the guaranty of our Federal
compact" The doctrine has no foundation
except in the servile disposition of those
who appear anxious TO involve the people
Of the free States in the guilt and dishon-
or of an institution, with which we are con-
stitutionalIy unconnected.
Mr. Webster, probably, without delibe-
ration or close examination of the subject,
wrote his letter of directions 20 Mr. Eve
rett, under the dictation Of saveholding
President, giving to that minister orders TO
exert our national influence, to obtain in
demnity for the slave dealers who claimed
the cargo of the. Creole. In this manner he
involved the people Of the free States in the
disgrace of that accused traffic in human
flesh. Having done this, it became nee
essary that he should sustain the doctrine
in his correspondence with Lord Ashbur-
ton. In his letter addressed 10 that fnnc-
tionary, upon the subject of the Creole, he
declares the people Of the free
States to he the gudrF0ntOrS Of slavery, and
the supporters Of the slave trade, which they
execrate and detest. This saying of Mr.. |
Webster will be quoted by thousands of
northern doughlaces, to establish this I'M
founded doctrine. 1t is believed that every
such effort, to commit us to the support OF
slavery, should be promptly met, and ex-
posed by our public press. They are at
iempts to surrender up our constitutional
rights, and should be discarded by every
friend of liberty, and by every lover of his
On this point, it would seem that
no difference Of sentiment could exist a.
mong our people, whether they belong to
the Wing, the Democratic, or Liberty party.
All persons are DESTROYS that our press and
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