Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1843-04-07

temporarily, but fesoluiely, oppsing all encroach.
mens upon our Interests, our honor. or our con-
sltudona privileges. ON aware that many of
our editors aud public men iear that the assertion
aud maintenance of our rights in regard 10 sin.
very, would drive from us our hin friends in
the slave States. II these fears were well proun.
ded, they would form no good reason why we
should surrender our constitutional rights in order
10 purchase their adherence. This is the policy
OF the opposite party. They appear anxious to
surrender up our rights our Interests, aud our
honor Tor the purchase OF southern voles. II the
Wings attempt to rival that party IN serviiiiy, they
musi ihlI' ne independent spirit the high SENSE
oi honor, tie pairIouc sentiment OF our Whips
viii not permit them To become subseryent To The
slavehUlding interest. But the argument is not
weIl.ioundsd Our southern Wings are generally
men Of liberal and patriotic sentiments They
will not ask Of us The sacrifice of our constitution.
al rights On The contrary, they will be willing
TO grant us The enjoyment of all our rights as 10
demand The enjoyment OF all their own. Ir,hey
are not such men, they unfit to lie the associ.
aIes OF northern Wings Ii is, however, true,
that they, as well northern men have not here
loiOre, fully understood our rights Tor The reason
that we, ourselves, dare mol assert them, and they
as well as northern men, hive unconscously yo-
led and acted IN opposiilon to The rights OF tho
tree States, under the impression that they were
sustaining tie Constitution. But when The atten-
uOn OF our southern and northern Wings shnl he
fully Investigated it, aud shall understand the cor
sIlluiional limits Of slavery, app eliend there
will be no difference between tliei,. Ii u.s. there.
fore, all important that public attention SHOULD be
directed To this matter. Indeed, intelligence in
regard to northern rights cannot be longer sup
pressed A fpirt of inquiry il abroad among the
people, and II IS increasing daily, and becoming
stronger and stronger. A marked and papable
chnnge has taken place in the public mind within
the past year. In February last, almost the en-.
TIRE press united in the opinion that we were board
10 support the cOaswise slave trade of the scutb.
AT tins time, who 10 willing TO hazard his repu,a
uon ny advocating such doctrine Yet, with such
examples before us, portion of our press and OF
our pubic met exhibit much liinidity as TO as.
sefuhg ana maintaining our constitutional rights.
DO long have The people Of the north been accus-
TONED 10 silent Submission, when our rights have
peen invaded, that nluny of our editors our states-
men ana politicians, still appear TO doubt the safe
" OF an open, frank, and manly defence of our IN.
terests and our houor. Ii however needs mo s,ir
II OF prophecy 10 iorctell the downfall OF any mar
~, who has not the moral and political COURAGE IN
maintain Tie rights aud interests of the north, #
Tie wings come forth 10 the defence OF these in
'eresls, ana maintenance oil these rights their
success is not less certain than the coutlnuance of
time and II the opposite party continue to oppess
hese rghts and Interests, their defeat is iue yitable
PAClFlCUS.
wide the late numbers nF no { n