The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1844-07-01

Mason and Dxon's line on this sole question.
would demand of them as mems american free
meR--to come forward and speak for themselves, and
to let the world know whether an individual among
them, Of any party is willing thus to rank himself and
TO adN that he possesses but quarter oil the NOR
al or political worth Of Texan stakeholder of the
lowest grade. There men who put that estimate
upon northern Democrats. They urge upon the
people Of the north TO admit Texas upon these terms;
ind eed no other terms mentioned or thought Of.
Now let such estimates come from whom they may
from persons high in Office, those who toish to be
high in oice-I declare them insulting 10 northern
feeling and northern honor Sir, why not propose at
that people shall surrender themselves as
slaves to the Texan planters? Why not advise the
people OF our free States ut to leave their homes,
go to Texas, and become the voluntary ''hewers Of
wood and drawers of WAFER 10 those fugitive Grim
inals, who within the last fifteen years, driven
from the United States TO avoid punishment for their
crimes or the payment Of their debt?
But mnst hasten through my subject, although it
be in desultory manner ] was wholly unprepnred
to address the committee. ! had taken notes, no
hooks papers of reference but the committee mp
penred anxious TO proceed and was compelled to put
TO sen upon the wide of this debate without
chart or compass; and with nothing to guide my
but the glttering star OF TRUTH it shines in
the moral armament, unNbscured by political clouds
Whether shall ogain reach the shore, within the
brief space allotted by the rules Of The House, is
OF little consequence, in my opinion, | shall prob
ably be compelled to stop before possibly bring
my remarks to close.
II is, however, due TO myself 10 say that would
not have occupied the attention Of the House
ment, if amy other northern man had exhibited dis
position to address tho committee; but we have
now had some six or light speeches in favor of the
annexation of Texas, and no one against it, began
TO fear that our people of the north would think
either have nothing to sayor that we are too delicate
TO say it.
This onds me to consideration Of the rights Of the
free States in regard the institution of slavery for
apTtl ot Clu If nnliti bn
the free States have rights well the slave States
and that our right to be exempt from slavery and from
its expense its guilt and its disgrace is supreme I'M
rcstriCnd and these efforts of the Executive Others
10 involve in the support perpetuution of slavery
and Of the slnve trade, denounce attempted vo-
tons OF our dearest rights of Constitutions
Sir, no such power was delegated by the people Of
the free States this government and the exercise of
snchpowers would be II usurpaOn of uuthoritysuiiic-
euly dagrant s. outrageous TO dethrone any monarch
Of Europe.
The Federal Constitution regards slnvery strict
ly StGte institution, over which the General Gov
ernmGnt has no control whatever II belongs erciu-
si0eiy to the several States and the power of each
State over the institution within it, territory is
preme md unlimited. With slavery in the States,
Congress has no more power to interfere than it has
with the sers of Russia; and Virginia, to day, holds
her slavery independently Of the Federal Govern
rs the Emperor of Russia holds his serrs
BY her legislation she may modify or abolish it at
the pleasure OF her people. so supreme and exclu-
sive is her power it, that never feel at liberty
10 discuss It's moral bearings in this Hall, unless I
am compelled In do defence of my own
rghis,or the rights of the people whom l repre-
emit In doing this, | merely comply with what
believe 10 be the spirit Of the Constitution. But,
who hold the rights of the people Of the slave
States thus sacred demand Of them n correspond
ing observance Of the rights of the free States and of
the spirit of the Constitution. That instrument has
placed all the states upon the political level
The rights OF our people of Ohio are the same
those OF Virginia. You, Nh Chairman, have been
taught to regard slavery excusahle, perhaps
right. have been educated in the hatred of that
institution. My feeling and my principles oppos-
ed 10 it in all its forms. Yours are in favor of IT,
eXecrate and condemn il. You cherish and support
it. You are INDUCED in your views and sentiments
WINE your state continues s'nvery, without regard
the feelings oil our people or of Congress. rest with
the same perfect security in the freedom ofour State
knowing that the people of Virginia, nor the
Federal Government, have any power what
ever to Interfere with feelings or our interests in
regard To Slavery Thus you and are mutually safe
in the enjoymant of our opposite opinions. The
rights oil our states too, perfectly mutual and in
all respects reciprocal. The rights of Ohio in all re-
spects correspond with those Of Virginia. As the
Federal Government possesses power to interfere
with the slavery of Virginia it is equally incompetent
TO interfere with the rights of Ohio TO he exempt from
all participation in what regard the gull. or dis
grace of that institution. The right of Ohio to be en-
rely free from all the stain and pollution of slavery,
s as absolute and unlimited, as is the right Of Vir-
gina to enjoy what her people regard the advanta-
ges OF It, Nor has the Federal Government any more
power TO act for the benefit of slavery than it has to
act for lts abolition Most happsy the Constitution
has given this Government right interfere either
for lis support or its destruction. Nor could the
Government be maintained upon any other principles
The Government is the common property of all the
States. 1t is much the Government Of the people
OF Ohio, as it is Of those of Virginia 1t is the common
agent and protector of ALL Whatever is done by the
Government, is done by the people of all the States
NOW, SIR, every man must at see, that no COM
mon agent Of all the States could act either for or
against the institution of slavery without offending
one portion or another of the people, If it were TO put
forth It's influence to abolish slavery in Texas our
southern friends would complain for they desire to re-
tam the institution. If it puts forth its influence to
preserve slavery there, the people of the north will of
course complain for they in favor of liberty and
ireedom,and ardenty desire see slavery abolished
IL was therefore most wise and salutary object with
the trainers OF the Constitution, withhold all power
from the Federal Government in regard to slavery
except that which has reference to fugtves on which
l have already remarked. The safety of the south
and oil The north consists in this wise and sautary ab
Sence o. all potoer Slarery 1t was foreseen by
the trainers OF the Constitution that the subject was
oil such delicate character that the Federal Govern
could not interfere with it in any form, without en-
dangerng the existence ofour Union. | fully UNDER