Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1843-05-26
COMMUNICATIONS.
SLAvERY-RIGHTs OF THE NORTH.
No ~

over them; aud their highest digniiaries must
sioop to the slave power. Are they not then slave
States in sense more offensive than any slave
breeding siute at the South ? How has this state
OF things been brought about? Where have our
waichmen been! How have our Simpsons sluin-
bered on the lap OF their Delilahs? Why do not
our northern statesmen rouse from Their SAUNDERS,
and all our public journals sound the alarm on
cry hill and in every valley? Are they iniaiua-
ted, or have they sold themselves to the slave pow
er? Would they come TO the rescue, we might
recover our liberty, aud drive back every slave-
hunter to his den The means are in our hands,
and we them to effect, if we do not pre-
fer vassaiage 10 liberty. Let The north feel
strongly on this point AS the South. and the ques-
ton would soon be settled And why do not our
rulers, our governors, our state officers feel, aud
rouse the whole people to action? Is the love Of
office dearer than the cause of liberty, the rights
of the people, the dignity and honor of the State
Why nre not all our party conflicts merged in one
conInon feeling OF indignant patriotism? What
folly 10 spend all our energies about any party
measures, when the worst vi tyrants, the all gras
ping slave power OF the south Is tianplng our
honor, our rights, our laws aud constitutions in
the dust? Shame on such apathy! Had we
not better send TO the south aud buy small guam
tity oftheir chvaIry? They understand their 2o-
siton, make laws 10 secure their institutions, aud
they erecuie those idiOs How then can they COM
plain, If even Vermont should tread in their steps,
initiate their example? " . have II laW respect
ing the sluve-ca,cblng business but it seems to
be considered dead letter.. and it is doubtful
whether our lnaglsracy would dare TO execute
The law OF the state should sIave-cntcher insult
thus state, aud attempt to carry into slavery doZ
ell OF her citizens. BY AN indignant people they
might be rescued hut do lear, the law would
not he nude TO speak IN lis niulesty, and spread
its protecting wing over the victim of the slave
catcher. why this lusillaninity? why do our
magistrates hesitate to execute tins law OF n SOW
ereign siate2 Does not their Official oath bind
them to do ii? Is not this law part of that in
ternal code which Vermont has said she has the
sole and trtcuStDe right 10 make? Why then does
not tins sovereign state say we have made the
law, and It shall he executed Alas black
power stands behind the curtain shakes her co,c
hide, and spreads CONSERVATION through our courls
sltnces our flaming patriots, aud gives tpisdom to
our Representatives and Senators. Whit is now
10 he done? Turn that black fellow out DOORS
expel HIM from the gate, ard charge him never
10 return unless lie will submit 10 the e,ty OF
your laws This is what the south would do with
n vengeance. And with her bright example be-
fore their eyes, the North hesitate what To do?
Let them ony open their eyes, see how the south
act, and follow her example. Make your own
municipal laws, and then erecute them, without as
KING leave from Canada or Virginia. Feel and
act like men, who know their rights, aud mean 10
defend chem; or nleany bow your necks and
consent TO wear the yoke OF your southern mus
ter. Should the south attempt TO bold you TO the
compact and bring the cause before the Supreme
Court of the nation. meet her boldly and demand
justice from the south She will never meet you
before any court OF equity, when she you
know your rights ami mean to maintain them. In
any case Vermont has right to say her laws shall
he executed, until court competent TO try the
question shall declare them unconstitutional. Aud
il there be any power that set aside -r mu
nicpal laws, then let her bow her neck and con-
TESS that her glory has departed, AID humbly
knowledge that II Is no longer true, that the peo-
pie of this state have tho L. Inherent, and erciu-
sive right Of governing and yldaiing The internal
police Of The same"
II is time that every state, which has not sold it.
self 10 the slave power, should take effsclual neu
sures TO preserve lis free institutions, and to main
tain the rights OF every person, however poor,
who places himself under the protection of lis
laws. Massachusetts has begun the good WORK.
and will not rest until tho grand principle is eStab
; lished that every person is free who steps upon
her soil. And why should not Vermont at once
rush to the same glorious consummnIion This
should he 10 parry work but IA united effort Of
all parties, of all our state officers OF all honest
men. Ii is n work in which all may unite, which
God will approve, which would nuke many
heart rejoice, which would plcc our state IN a
commanding attitude, aud pour u food of heav-
emily light from all our hills aud mountains And
il is n work which may be conSu,ninated II, the
very next meeting OF our General Court, if our
leading journals will enter cordially into the bust
ness viii they not do il The work must be
done il will he done sooner later. Vernon
tiers will not allow the slave power to ride over
their heads and uDmpe on their unalienahle
rights. Must not every good man, every wise cit
Zen, Wish to have this work done by The cordial
cooperation OF the whole people? They can aud
they must do il. 1t may rather assuming
for me 10 suggest how work so important may
be effected at once and on principles which he
lleve viii bear the decisions Of The great mass
but am an old man, and what do | must do
quickly. would then suggest that, our honora-
bic legislature pass NJ their next session, the
lutons which follow and that The friends of civ
il liberty, without any distinction Of party, bring
the subject before that bouy by petitions
/. RESOLVED, That within the State OF Vermont,
"no person shall be deprived of life, liberty or
properly, without due process of law: and that
the right of ha5edS corpus shall not he suspended,
or denied any person, unless the public safety
require.
il will be seen that The above resolve is al.
most in the words OF the Federal Constitu
lion. Aud it is difficult to see why any objection
should he made TO it, unless wish 10 have men
deprived Of their life, liberty and property Wtthout
eUen The forms Of inD.
2. Res tUed, That persons coming from those
States, which by their laws practice, refuse to
execute, in good faith The first clause OF Tho Sscc-
ond section of article ". al the Federal Consli.
tuition, and 10 allow citizens of Vermbnt, Without
any regard 10 color, orcupniion or condiIl'n, all
tile privileges und inimdnities OF citizens, cannot
claim the right 10 search for slaves in our state,
aud shall not do il, until their laws and practice
are made 10 conform 10 the plain import OF said
second section and article 4ll.
This resolve is only saying, that those who VIC.
late contract themselves, cannot require others
10 observe it.
3. Resoiusd, That no citizen of Vermont is re.
quired by the compact 10 aid The slave holder, and
that every citizen, officer aud magistrate OF this
state is forbidden to aid or assist in selz'ng, or
transporting out OF The state any person who may
he claimed as slaves aud that our Jails or prisons
shall not be used to secure the victims OF slave.
| holders.
A. Resoiued That the free states have the same
right TO guard their Tree institutions, aud resist
the entertainments of slavery as the slave states
have to guard their slave institution and 10 resist
the encroachmenls of aboliionlsm.
This is only placiug The free and sla va siales ON