Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1844-10-25
n,oNTpE11Ers, VERMONT, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20 1s44'


it would seem, that the subject might be put at d
rest But it is contended that although the con-
sttution does not expressly recognize slavery yet
the trainers of that Instrument in order to induce
the slaveholding States to come into the Unlon,-
entered into a compromise, by when 1t was stipu-
lated that their domestic institutions should be pro-
tected, and that certain clauses in the constitution
should be construed to that effect. Now admit
ting all this to be true, yet the compromise is not
in the constitution, and has no connection with 1t.
1t is only private bargain, and its Obligations
rest solely on the individuals who made it, AS
the constitution reads, SO it must s.Snd Even It's
trainers were not authorized te compromise It's
principles, by constituting it differently from the
natural purport of its language. 1t could be made
to mean only what it said 1t was an instrument
designed to be read and understood by people who
could know nothing about the compromise, and
nothing about the private views Of the Trainers;
not only by the most humble individuals of the ma
ton, but by the world and generations yet unborn.
| And it IS very evident from the known charac-
tiers and views Of the trainers Of the constitution,
that they designed it to be permanent, while the
compromise was to be but mere temporary con-
cern, designed to give to the several States con-
cerned, a convenient season to rid themselves of
what was universally admitted to be curse to the
nation, and libel on our republican form of gov
ernment
1t did not occur to hem,that one generation had
passed away, the compromise would have become
the law Of the and the great rule Of action for the
= general government, and the constitution a mere
5 secondary affair, in perfect subservency thereto
They expected that ere this time, the principles Of
Il the Declaration Of Independence would have beer
carried out, and liberty would have been proclaim
), ed throughout the land to all the inhabitants there
: of. That the constitution exists, separately from
e the compromise, and does not of itself sustain
Y slavery, it would seem that even the Shareholder
admit, seeing that oath to sustain the constltu
t. ton, is not cor sidered by them Of sufficient au
lie thority to bind the officers of the General Govern
j. ment to their interests, but separate pledge t
le sustain this compromise must be administered I
re all such that not shareholders, prior to the
being presented to the people as candidates.
" But an examination of such paris of the Const
a. ntion as are herein concerned, will the subje
s. in its true light. The preamble which sets for
h. the purposes for which the Constitution was form
ed, and which is the key to what follows, reao
be thus. owe the people of the United States,
u order to form a more perfect union, establish ju
Of tice ensure domestic tranquility, provide for Il
common defence, promote the general welfare al
If, secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and
ms poserty, do ordaln and establish this CONSTITUTE
as for the United States of American
ed Now if the preamble speaks the truth, the who
ost truth, and nothing but the truth;-if it here St
~ forth the purposes, and all the purposes for viii
me the constitution was framed, then the construct
/ which the compromise puts upon 1t must be Sr
the and understandable perverslon OF Its meaning
of And if the compromise construction be admit
ost TO be correct then it must be admitted also t
lad the trainers of the constitution were not very c.
ing spicuous for consistency, seeing they not o
afe wandered from their text, but also outin
of contrad teton to it. Slavery not only had OF
rue purposes in view besides these forth in the
ling amble, but purposes Of an entirely opposite en-
acer. But an examination Of these clauses in
Iate constitution which have been so construed as
own contradict the preamble, may help US settle
ii''u question.
my Article Sec. | third clause. "Replese
ION, tons and direct taxes shall be apportoned am
AVE the several states that shall be included within
union, according to their respective numb
SEN which shall be determined by adding to the wi
the number of free PERSONS including those bonn(
tec service for term Of years, usd excluding Ind
the not taxed, three fiths Of all other persons"
opt Art. /, Sec. 8. The migration or importa
the of such persons as any of the states shall t
lent proper to admit shall not be prohibited by the
en- gress, but tax or duty may be imposed on
liable importation, not exceeding ten dollars each
the dred"
eclo- Art a, Sec Q, third clause "No person
their to service or labor in one state, under the
That thereof, escaping into another, shall, in &C
land uuence of any law or regulation therein, be
lsure charged from such service or labor, but sha
tect' delivered up, on claim of the party to whom
IS IN service or labor may be due"
o'1' 1t appears that from the construction that
II 'ne been given to these three clauses in the Com
ton, that the slave power has derived all the
'P tinuance and support that it has ever received
PVo- the general government. From thence it SCI
y to itself representation for three fifths of a
> slaves, liberty to carry on the slave trade tor
. '"0 ty years. and the right to their property in h
flesh not only in the slavehodng states but
was mart of the Union where they could find it,