Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1844-01-20
MONTPEEEER, VERMONT, SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 1s4A


Contrast the state of feeling, iAicoted by these facts, with
that which existed less than %thirty-fve years afterwards, when
Missouri was admitted to the Union. No one can doubt how
the Missouri question would have been settled by the fathers of
the republic. They would have frowned at The thought of ex-
tending slavery. Yet in 1920, the influence of slavery was 50
great oyer the American people, that a majority of their repre-
sehthtVes' 2omIued a new State INTO the Union, with the right
OF perpetual slavery, Nor can it be doubted, that slavery has
been constantly accomplishing power, in an increased ratio, from
the datgwhen Missouri was admitted to the present time
whether any new stotes will hereafter be admitted to the I'm
ION, WIN The p0Wert0 establish slavery, time alone can deter
ms Spsahc hope sfgnQy cherished, that the spirit of pat
tfioilsnl apd liheFty, Wsitll a few years, has been revived
Itas~SeHlAt@ Nd b Wle peryadng conviction, that sav-I
cry 4lssteag slgeAa tse prosperity aud honor, and highest
1expeetauMF Nepaff WheIe eolntry, will yet stay the onward
Ialafeh of tpt enenY gf agE Hood, and at no distant period, ban
isb ft as1eNeFgcorhe OF this goodly land.
AZ the time OF the Missouri compromise, when Missouri and
Maine were admitted into The Union, :here were seven Repre-
srntatiyes in Congress from Maine; but the conditions upon
which it was proposed to admit Maine were so rcprehensible
and insulting, that five of the number, Mr.. KinsIcy, Joshua
Cush,man, Ezekiel Whitman, Enoch Lincoln and James Parker,
voted against her admission preierriug that Maine should never
ofabie ana arrogant claims of slavery, In explanation of their
course, these members of the House, published san Address to
the people OF !Mnlne." Ono only OF the members survives, the
Hon Ezekiel Whitman, who wrote the Address, and who is the
present able and upright Chief Justice Of the State of Maine. |
shall close up this paper with extracts from this Address, which
asserts in plain but strong language, the domination of slavery
and the means by which it has been secured. If such were the
fearful strides of this power twcnty-three years since, that states
men |ofdifcrcnt parties, united in exposing it, and in invoking
their countrymen to awake and resist its further advancement;
what mast be its present potency and virulencc, when, during
the whole intervening period, it has been widening the field Of
of its victims; and when aIso,' it is mcditating new schemes Of
and desolation?
when the Bill for the admission of Maine into the Union,
was first discussed, at an early period of the session, the honoro-
bic Speaker, Henry Clay, of the House, avoweG his opposition
TO inc admission OF Name, uneqnlvocalIy, until Missouri should
have been admitted, with the privilege Of continuing the increase
of power on the part ofthe South was justified by a similar jcal-
ousy on the part of the. North, manifested in the admission of
Kentucky. He alleged that Kentucky had been kept out of the
Union eighteen months, waiting for Vermont to be admitted as
a counterpoiSe in the scale of the Union. This piece of history
he stated as having been handed down by tradition, and derived
from sources Oh which he could confidently rely. The same
facts We're again asserted subsequently by an honorable member
of the Senate, Governor Barbour of Virgina.) On examina-
ton, this precedent turns out not to have the slightest foundation
in fact"
" OF the question of power or influence, the gentlemen of the
N "1fi4aI hye, herstRore, thought nothing, as between the slave
III our executive, with all his influence and patronage, elected
s sUr, ,g Of the time, since the formation of the government,
IRON te Slave-holdng portions Of the Union. All this has ex-
U nIt; Nv j. !ea nous OF our part; But whatever may be our dis
p pot't to Ie m in r"rs pa,o' to- the it si s9sC "f t5e the t1mP gsopIe, of the IN. North r1
by the developments which experience and collisions produce,
we shall deserve to he considered a besotted and stupid race, fit
only to lie led b|lindfolded; and worthy only, to be treated with
sovreign contempt"
"Resrictions and impediments, in relation to Missouri, were
odlous -unconstl we know not What.
But, in Iegard to Mane-she might be loaded down with res
tictlonS, or any and every impediment; and to secure what?
The interest and welfare of Maine? No; power-a balance of
power: and to whom? to savc-holding states. They say to
Maine, you may come into the Union; we shall be glad to re-
ceive You; YOU are entitled to admission upon every principle.
But, if YOU do come in, YOU must bring with Won Missouri
slaves and alI-not only those which she now has, but all that
she may acquire to the end of time' These proceedings and
declarations are to be regretted aud to be deprecated. They
will have the worst possible effect. The North must, at least
stand upon the defensive. And whater may be its solicitude foi
the best interests of the Union; and however ANXIOUS it may be
for Its happiness aud prosperity, such proceedings and such
declarations should not be passed without animadversions. re
be totally regardless Of such-nOt indications merely-but posi-
tive declarations-over and over again repeated; and from al
the prominent characters of the South, will not, and ought no
D to be forgotten.
We see, here, a principle Of Union-a ralIying point-a prin
= cple which creates in this Union a solid COLUMBIAN impcne
trable phalanx, forever united for political purposes, and for the
, acquisition of political power and influence. While the Suutl
are united, and the influence of the North neutralised by thci
divisions, power, over this Union, must continue to reside where
1t has done ever since the formation of the government" 81
- should not be concealed, also, that the power of the Executive
a." which we would not impair or diminish, in this country, is no
!" mconsldorable. He has under his control, eight or ten Thousand
y officers, distributed over the Union, comprising the most active
ana influential men, together with perhaps twice, nay, ten time
. that number ct cApectantS Of office; all of whom are under at
j." !nduccmGnt to adhere to him, with all their influence and power
Whenever power in this country, then, shall have taken root il
e e qE<+eAnG%nehLh eG shall be found such a common princi
r. pie Of union, it cannot be easily eradicatcd.
II The lessons which have been inculcated in the course of thu
! discussions Of the question, in relation to Maine and Missouri
)" should forever hereafter be borne in mind. Missouri is now tt
he admitted us d 81 tyE-HoLDING STATE. Arkansas is next tt
follow. Thus the principle of union, this ralIying point is to b
extended and siren lthened.">
d Let the American people ponder this testimony, and while i
," Is yet within their power, arise and vindicate the principles o
g, their fathers, and drive back the foe OF liberty and our country
MAHEz gEsc KRrE@@ WGDM|EEgSo