Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-05-16

'"|S OoHSiCoo5 Wy WHICH It i0Tlud, WIN Il COHSllLu-
ZION containing the most revolving and %unconsti-
tutiOnal features of the slaveholding States, was
admitted into the Union, and a controlling power
thus given to the South over the u. S. Senate. a
debate on the subject took place in the Senate, &C.
cupying more than seven hours, and filling eleven
columns in the National Intelligencer, but we do
not remember to have seen a word of aIlusion to
it by any of our political papers except of the Lib
erty party. And no wonder; for this debate con-
tains some choice specimens of Southern o|verseer-
ism, and, Of course, of Northern obsequiousness,
and clearly exhibits the utter folly of hoping to ac-
compllsh anything against the gigantic power of
slavery, by means Of those pro-slavery politicians
who are blessed with faces on every side of their
heads. e.
Mr.. Evans of Maine, opened the debate, by OBJ
jecting to those clauses in the Florida constitution
which prohibited the Legislature from abolishing
slavery. and empowered it to pass laws for the
seizure and Imprisonment of free colored persons
from other States. The former clause was anti-
republican, the latter unconstitutional The laws
of %southorn States imprisoning northern coIored
seamen, were exciting deep feeling in the free
States, and were regarded as unjust and oppres-
sive.
Mr.. Walker of Mississippi, said the law had res
pect to the power of n State to exclude from her
territory such persons as were dangerous to her
peace. Free colored seamen were dangerous to Il
slaveho'dins community. Many of them were run
away slaves from ST. Domingo.
Mr.. Allen of Ohio, said that the laws of his
State on this subject were even stronger than those
of the south! IA great libel upon Ohio, uttered
by a supple tool of the masters. Because Ohio is
SO unjust MS to require colored persons before set
ting in her limits, to give bond and security a.
gainst becoming cbargeable-which is now virtu-
ally a dead letter-Mr. Allen says this is stronger
than the laws of Florida, which imprisons free
blacks, and to pay their Jail fee, sells them into in
terninable slavery Mr.. Allen said that when a
State applied for admission, the oniy question to BIO
asked was, '"ls her constitution republican, Ifso,
no matter what provision was in it, however much
it might conflict with the constitution, it was our
duty to let it pass!" [Just as though n ~constitu-
tion could be republican, which gives to one-lhird
of the inhabitants the power to enslavo the other
two-thirds, and forever prohibits their omancipa-
tion!'
The position of Mr., Allen was taken by all the
Democratic III Senators from The free States.
Judge Berrien of Georgia, said if it were true
that no State could be admitted which asserted
rights so essential to elf-preservation, the sooner
it is known the better. The South would guard
themselves by every means that God had given
them. The law referred to he had no doubt was
constitutional, and would be SO decided by the Su-
preme Court.
Mr.. Archer, of Virginia, a leading Wing, and
already talked Of for the Presidency, now rose,
and said with great warmth,
"Let him tell the Senators both from Maine and
Massachusetts, that this was a matter that belongs
to the law OF self preservation-that primeyal and
irreprievable law, which of itself over-rode all law
and all constitution. II there were a hundred
clauses IN the Constitution, absolu tely and expIic-
lily prohibiting the passage of such a law, as that
which prohibited the entrance of free colorod sea
men into the southern States, they might, neverthe-
less feel themselves absolutely obliged to pass such
a law"
The Senator turned upon the Senator from
Maine, and exclaimed, "why did the Senator from
Maine come here, and, lending himseIfto the de-
signs of a band of fanatics, throw into the Senate
such a firebGand of discord?"
"Fhey Of the South" he continued, sdid not
care ore %tarthing what the Constitution allowed or
disallowod."
"NNhen such Senators as those from Massachu.
sets and Maine come with fre-brands in their
hands, the South would take precautions against
the plague"
But, the master continued his robukes. He
charged the gentleman from Massachusetts with
being compelled by a certain influence to act u
galnst his own judgment, and such was the case
with other Eastern gentleman. Wise men ought
not to stir these questions even in conversation but
would do far better quietly to give them the go-by.
"Ihose who continued such an Improbable and
pernicious agitation were no patriots"
All of this abominable insolence passed without
a word of rebuke from Northern Senators.
Mr.. Evans arose, as in duty bound, like a whip
ped spaniel, and assured the south that he knew
something of these abolit;onists, and had no dlspo-
sition to defend their principles. They were SO
hypocritical as not to desire a repeal of these oh
noxiou6 laws, for let this be done, end their voca-
ton is gone. They live upon these things, and
make capital out of the enforcement of their laws!
This from a Wing Senator from the State Of
Maine! Where were our Vermont Senators?
They are protested abolitionists, and why did they
set there like dun dogs and listen to such abuse of
| luCIlpCiNCS uHh NY Z y
there under Instructions from tho Legislature, and
from the published creed of their party, to do all
in their power to prevent the Admmission of any
new slavehoIding State, and also to abolish slave
ry where it exists; and yet they could hear the
character and motives of abolitionsts thus basely
m~aIigned, aud see a new slave State added to the
Union, without daring to utter their indignant pro-
test against it. They can make abolition speech
es at home-cau beg for abolition votes-can as
sure the Liberty party that ''they will do as much
for the abolition of slavery as could any of its
members''-and yet, when brought into contact
= with southern influence, they are as eager for the
gag and s%hackles, and will bow their necks as low
to carry the burdens of shareholders, as the most
chivalrous woman whipper in all the South could
wish! Miserable tools!
: Is it not time for the north to be honest with the