Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1844-08-02

slave trade the coast of Africa and to keep il on
the coast of .4merica Let them know that we ap '
proprate annually more than million of dollars Of
their money to destroy the slave trade on the east
ern shore of the Atlantic, and that are now a.
bout to appropriate ten millions to maintain the
same commerce on the western shores of that
ocean, Sir should like to canvass the district of
the eloquent gentleman from Indiana at the ensuing
election. | should like 10 see him demonstrate to
the. honest Democrats there, the precise line Of
longitude on which the slave trade changes its
moral character; on the one side OF which 1t be-
comes audabe commerce, worthy of our foster
ing care, worthy of our fostering care.
After the line has been drawn, it must be inter |
esting to hear gentlemen demonstrate to the people,
how in all good conscience, they are bound to ar
rest and hang all who carry on the business OF slave
trading cast of this line, and to shoot and Kill all
who oppose the slave trade west of it. Sir desire
the advocates of this nefarous commerce in slaves,
be they who they may, to stand forth boldly and
before the world and, like the Secretary Of State,
maintain its proprety, and advocate its morality
with frankness I hope we may see no evasons,
but. in western phrase, let every man toe the
mark"
But Texas is engaged in with Mexico,
and wants us to fgt her battles; and our Execu
tive, and portion of this House, say, will do
it if, by that means, we can keep up slavery IN
Texas, and thereby furnish a market for our slave
breeding States to sell their surplus population
This war. to say the least, will very likely bring us
into conflict with Great Britain, well as Mexico,
and perhaps with France also. IL is, therefore, not
unlikely that constituents may be called on to go
forth in arms to maintain this slave trade upon the
field of battle. Our people are brave and generous,
even gallant in good cause Would this war he
such an one as would justify us in looking for or
in expecting, the blessing Of heaven to rest upon
our arms In the expressive language of MIR. JEFF
fer|on, " the Almighty has no attribute which would
enable him to take sides with in such a contest"
Yet, sir, the battles would have to be fought by
northern principally, for our southern friends
must remain at home to watch their slaves.
These consequences will probably follow the
proposed annexation, and the fragrant violation of
our treaty stipuations with Mexico and should
be gratiied to listen to moral and patriotic lee
ture from some of the advocates Of this measure,
describing the degree of attachment to oppression
what love of crime, what degree of contempt
for the appreciation of mankind-would be likely
to prepare the mind of good Democrat Of our
free States TO die ngoriousy upon the field fight
ing for the extension of slavery, and to establish
profitable slave trade, Suppose some worthy con.
stuent of the honorable member from Indiana
were to fall MORALLY amid the carnage of battle
his fe's blood fast flowing from frighlful wounds
his countenance pale and distorted with pain, with
no friendly hand to minister to his wants believe
you that he would draw very rich consultations
, from the fact that he had fallen while striving tc
extend the slave trade, and to perpetuate crime
and increase human misery and suffering. should
like to have some of the advocates of this measure
moralize upon these themes for they very like
" to follow the adoption of their measures
would particularly invite the attention Of thu
= northern members to this pont when they go be
fore the people for reelection, to advocate tn,
5 election of President who favors the slave trad
e md the annexation of Texas. | would also com
mend to their notice our sailors, who are sent upo
the trackless to do battle for the slave trad
here and against it in Africa should like to hea
{ the consultations with which they would smooth hi
pillow of death when he falls in defence of tn,
I SLdue trade on our American coast and then de
. scribe the reflections that will him up +
e meet death upon the pestlential coast of Africa
h when MORALLY wounded in fighting against tn
= slave trade and in defence of the rights of maj
: Our old philosophers regarded the principles c
: Justice universal and Interchangeable but thes
slave trading philosophers about fix the lor
n gtude on which it is to change with the "preSto
of modern democracy ,cestern justice is to be
It dered synonymous with slavery and the slave trade
If and eastern justice is to be expressive Of libert
n and freedom. Ancient philosophy taught us to re
d gard Justice eternal but these advocates of al
h neXatlon are about TO fix the time when it is
e change, and be regarded as antagonist to its fol-
4. uer Specification They speak of extending A
Y, merican liberty to Texas by founding il upon PEI
,r petual slavery and insist that, by establishing tn
l. most deg aiding oppression there, shall carry
$. that people the enjoyment of true Democratic prir
e cpes IN all their pristine purity. | was deghte
J. with the eulogsm of the gentleman from Indian
y Mr. Owen,l upon Democratic liberty. While u
/ ging the annexation, he spoke in thrilling terms
e the efiulgent glory Of our american institution
i including slavery and the slave trade. Those p,
l. etc strains may delight the ears Of slave breede
l. and slave Dealers but have mistaken the charat
r ter of northern people, if eoqaence itself ca
1t lead them to forget the fundamental principles
freedom and liberty.
n.,ta oh % Al Al.
N of Texas, is to obtain for themselves protection
n, gainst the armies of Mexico They are willing
e buy negroes from slave breeding States, prov
ct ded we will furnish an army to protect them viii
g. they remain on their plantations, and whip, al
" scourge, and torture their slaves into subjectio
TX according to the true principles of liberty e.
re pounded by the present Secretary Of State. III
" Executive and his cabinet, and the advocates
anneXation appear to think that this purchase of
st slave market is dog cheap. And now | wish
re know what Northern Democrats think of it ?
m We know that the Wings are opposed to it IN toi
rs And ask the Democrats whether they are prepa
e ed TO 90 to Texas, aud stand sentinel there, al
y, defend the fugitive criminals of that country, pr
vlded they will condescend to purchase the slav
ne of Virginia What say our Democrats of Ne
OF England, of Maine of Massachusetts,, Connecticu
We Vermont and even of New Hampshire? | wa
he to see them step out boldly, and let understar
a. their true positions If they are to arrange theu
selves in favor of purchasing this slave market,
IS that price, trust they will let us know lt-that ht
he will avow it before the world.
ct 1t is well known, Mr.. Chairman, that since Il
its formation of this contederacy there has long be-
he a supposed conflict between the interests Of fir
et labor and of slave labor between the southern al
ng the northern States. do not say that the confli
to is real only say that in the minds Of The peop
ia both north and south, and in this Hail. such co
m ficts exist. This supposed conflict has given ri
he to differences of policy in national councils.
d. refer to the tariff in particular, being fayori
ry measure of the north, while free trade is advance
"a by the south. | refer also to harbor improy
H. ments and the improvement of our river navigaio
he as another measure, in which the northwest al
he west have felt great interest and much anxiety, al
ry TO which the south have been constantly oppose
no But so equally balanced has been the political POI
" er between these opposing interests that for fl
dis years past our lake commerce has been entirely