Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-10-16
MONTPELIER, VIZ. OCTOBER IS, 1s45.
Governors Message.

This document, long it is, give to our readers
entire this week. 1t is well written message, and
will repay attentive perusa We can allude to but
two or three subjects therein discussed.
The subject of common schools has been fairly pre-
sented-the vital defects in system plainly stated
and the necessity of immediate and thorough action
properly urged upon the legislature. We sincerely
hope, that the suggestions of the Governor and the
signed petitions that are pouring in from
all sections of the State will induce an early and
faithful consideration of this subject by the legislature
The abolition of the School Fund" and its appro-
pration to the liquidation of the State debt and the
institution of reform in our school system as advoca-
ted in the message, is a measure concerning which we
arc not sufficiently informed to Judge. The reasoning
of Gov Slide is plausible to say the least; but it has
become almost entirely party question: and is ofcouse
so shrouled with patizan drapery to be difficult of
just and impartial settlement We doubt not the
wings will follow out the suggestions of the message
provided they are not afraid it will kick.
The Annexation question is again presented at some
lengh-and the Gov is still of opinion that Vermont,
in case the scheme is consumm ated would be justified
in Withdrawing from the Unon-tho' he does not ad-
vocate the cpedecy ofthe step, in last years mess
age. He would rather hold the right of withdrawal
in reserve, to be acted upon as circumstances may
suggest" The retrograde progress of the Gov upon
this question: is just about in keeping with that of the
universal whg party" and is the very kind of hos-
y to annexation that pleases the South. Grumble
ittlejust enough to show that they aware of the
insult, and then bow to the yoke
But the Gov. makes some admissions, in the discuss
ion of this subject which we cannot fail to notice.
He SAYS
"But, in the event of annexation, there will remain
great practical duty for to perform 1t will be- to
90 to the very verge of our constitutional power to eff
feet the abolition of slavery 1) as the chief evil in
country and the great crime of our age" Slavery
will by ann2Xltion have been taken under the special
protection of the national government and made in the
highest sense nltona Institutions 2 and, thencefoth
will become leading and controlling element in the
Union. 1t will then be seen in a stronger and clearer
light thin it ever has been The success of amexl-
ton will have sgnay illustrated its character and the
time is not distant, when it will be able longer to
adjust Its influence in the scale of parties SO as to
maintain its ascendancy by Northern cooperation e.
cessty of unon in order to roll back the tide of its
surpations and change the policy of the government
that 1t shall cease to make the support OF slavery
object of special and paramount regard If the North
for the sake of peace, shall submit to annexation, the
South must submit to the legitimate and inevitable con
sequences of thus forcing, everywhere investiga
ton OF the merits of slavery, A. and thorough expo
sure Of the impossbliy of long maintaining Union
embracing the hostile and irreconcilabe elements o
slavery and freedom"
Q) A candid admission that we neuer have gone 'tC
the verge of our constitutional power to abolish slave
ry" while the wings have strenuousy claimed tina
they had done everything that could be done" to
cure its abolition. Pin down this admission!
(2) Why will slavery be.taken under the protec
ton of the national government, and made natona
institution, by the annexation of Texas any more thai
by establishing and maintaining slavery in the Disrc
of Coumbia-by the Louisiana and Florida purchases
and the extension of slavery their broad territory
by the admission Of eight new slave States into th
Unon-by engrafting upon our national statute bool
laws for the Kidnapping Of slaves-by protecting ont
encouraging the interstate Slave trade-aRd by con
fening the lions share of the Offices and emoument
of the general government upon Shareholders? w
can point to the testimony of multtudes well quafe
to judge-of John Quincy Adams, Caleb Cushing an
even Gov. Slade himself, to show that "slavery ha
long colored and controlled the action of the genera
government"
(3) Then slavery has adjusted its influence so a
to maintain its ascendancy by Northern cooperation!
This is fact the Liberty party has long tried to estab
lsh, against the loud denias of both the pro-saver
parties.
4) In conclusion we are told, "that if for the sak
of peace, the North shall submit to annexation, thu
South must submit to a faithful examination of tn
merits of slavery" upon reading this, we could but con
trast it with former wing arguments. Last year W.
were told that five did not help elect Mr.. Clay g. thu
prevent annexation the scheme would be consummated
and then all efforts of the aboltionsts would be who'll
fruitless. We could but sit down as hewers of WOO
and drawers of water to the Shareholders Now, whel
the work is about to be perfected, we are advised t
submit to it, for the sake ofpeace; and then recommend
ed to investigate the merits of slavery Alas for thu
udicrous appearance of chte blacEbS, and prO-s'au
cry aboitonists
The outrages of South Carolina and Louisiana upol
Massachusetts, and other northern States, in the i'm
iprsonment of colored seamen, &c. is brought to thu
notice of the Legislature. The wound and malady il
exposed, butno remedy prescribed Is there no balm
no physician Forbearonce is great virtue
The subject of Peace is appropriately recommended
to the favorable consideration of the Legislature W.
regret that has been shufed off by reference tt
the "miltary committee" which is generally composed
ofmen "whose voice is still for ,co" We regret tina
it was not considered of sufficient importance to be re
fered to a select committee of men "whose thoughts
are turned on peace"