Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1844-10-17

w sdvh D auttnp 70 pol uoNn apoal.
ton is vain. The Statesmen Of this nation
must look the question ia the hce II is
no; one Of mere philanthropy, bu, has other /
bearings. Slavery is an cltmep, OF polri. /
cal power, and how loag, aud to what *.
tent, !, shall be suffered to control The policy l
and mould the destiny ,cf this nation, IS 4
question whose consideration crnno, be pos. 1
poned indefinitely.
What direction shall he given to The strong
aud growing feeling on this subject; is n
mong the most important questions that can
occupy III minds Of our Statesmen There
are evidently great dangers TO be cncoun
tered. 1.-THE purpose Of the Fathers had
been carried cut. and slavery had gradually
/ yielded and given place to the institutions
Of freedom. this crisis would not have been
thrown upon the country. But tie contra
~ policy has prevailed Slavery has plan.
| ted itself il new helds--has struggled for
ascendancy, and maintained nj and has f.
nal y come 10 take the ground tina, j, must
be ios;ered, and cherished, and extended, so
as to be able 10 maintain its balance, ms an
clement OF power in the Union. What is
10 be The character and issue Of the conflict
which the growing spirit CT freedom is TO
have with slavery, thus s:rugel ling to main
tain its &C sendancy is a question of fearful
interest. The re,enslons and encroach.
ments Of the slave power and especially the
attempt 10 strengthen It by the annexation
OF Texas, have contributed TO give a char.
acler Of deep and desperate carnestness TO
abolition movements. ,hreatning to draw ev-
cry Other question of moral and politics
within their vortex.
The true ground is not upon either OF
these extremcs But neither is il the
ground of indifference. That will work
no delverence either from the evils of sa.
very, or Of an over heated and headong
zeal for its abolition. No attempt should
be made 10 suppress the E.ighty impulses of
this age towards universal emancipation -
None will be successful Rather should i;
be our effort to guide them rightly and safe
ly.
Cold apathy and bitter zeal should alike give place
to calm, steady patient persevering effort TO reach
the seat of The evil To overcome in theouth the fear
Of change. the force of habit the reluctance to Ia
Dor, the love Ut dominion, and the tenacity OF sup
posed but mistaken interest, while truth shall be
made to exert its appropriate power in quickening
the conscience TO just sense Of the wrongs of
slavery. And along with all this there must and
will, of necessity be political action in iorm
gradually changing the character of state and ma
tona legislation while no great interest ofthe coun-
try shall be left forgotten uncared for or neglect
c ed. Ihe position Of ,he North, and the natural
, jealousy Of its efforts in this cause, impose on il
the duty Of moderation and forbearance while the
claims Of humanity, and jus, respect for its own
= rights demand that IL steadily resist tho encroach
!. ments expose the wrongs and labor, in all appro-
pirate ways, to rid the country Of the evils of Slave
~.
j Suffer me, in closing this communication, again
TO advert TO domestic concerns, aad express the
r hope that we may come to the consideration of
them, with feeling Of devotion to the interests Of
our State, which shall make forget all party dis
Il iinctions in ardent desire to benefit and bless
. her Let the lines which divide quest ions Of
national policy be obliletated, when we come to
consider the matters which concern exclusively our
, own peoples and let the strife Of party UaI be lost
in generous emuiat ion 10 devise the best means
OF advancing the interests Of this Commonwealth.
y And what field does she present for our iabors -
h Almost tue whole al her surface may be converted
into garden, rank with luxuriance, and teeming
= vii h riches for the benefit Of man wise d"mes.
= tic pnli:y may, within no very distant period have
The effect 81 doubling the amount Of our present
productions retaining oui population nj home
= giving To- all the means OF comfortable subsistence
VI and the adde means OF universal education upon
scale commensurate with the great purpose of cdu
i eating people To govern themselves We are, and
J. must of course. continue to be- small Stale; but
H necessarily small only in territorial extent Ia all
, that constitutes true greatness may become the
" largest State in the UnIon-n the world great in
the Development of the capacities Of our soil, hut
far greater IN the mighty energies Of the tina
>, shall live upon it.
Here then is large field for our efforts. Let US
survey fully. and address ourselves 10 its labors
IL with determination TO do what our hands find to
o. do, with might. To all this we urged b,
motives which come up in the TecollectIons Of The
~ past, and sta I'd out in visions of the future How
10 can we help feeling an honest State pride, wher
m we think Of our Grgin-O our hisoryo our
at bome-of our character abroad, and of pos i
VI tion Of inhneHCe and power Tor good, upon an ex
te tended scale, in our connection with the Union
n, We may, and must ourselves with the ques
lions involved in the national action: but after all
70 here lie Vermont-a name dear to allat the men
n, ton OF which our hearts thrill with honest pfide-
%, Vermont our own beloved State, that claims gu
first attention. and deserves our warinest affection
~ aud untiring efforts toy her good In regard
to her let say-If forget thee let my right ha
N forget her cunning; IL do not remember thee, 1,
my tongue cleave TO the roof Of my mouth If pre-
fer thee not above my chiei Joy.
ly In conc usion need hardly say to the represen
le tatves Of Christian peo pie that the efforts Of ou
highest wsdom-our most carefully natured scheu c
for the advancement ofihe public good will be
lv availing without the divine blessing. Let u.s. ami
Id the and abors md itement connected wit
the performances Of our duties, take fast hold of III
- great iruihfnantaining Just sense OF the magn
NC tude of the trust committed TO US, and abidn
conviction o the true character Of our responsible
-, ties IN connection with It.
Suffer me to tender, through you. to the peopI
nv "f Vermont my grateful acknowledgements FOR n
of recent expression OF their con6dence--m sense
the value OF which. and Of the increased respons
bties il imposes me shall leave to be express
le- ed, as may best be done, by devotion Of my Ill
ve to the promotion Of The highest interests Of III
State. Of my country, and The world
w WILLIAM SLADE.
ie' EXECUTIVE CHAMBER
3D. Octob eI II. 13i4
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