Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1845-08-22


those States make slaves not persons but
thingS,) and consequently the South is allow
ed a much greater weight in our national
councils than belongs to their free popula-
ton, their resources, OF their physical force;
and the same advantage is conceded TO all
the additional slave-holding territory which
has been Incorporated into the Union since
the adoption of the Constitution. Every |
extension therefore ofsuch territory, increas-
es the inequality Of the distribution of pow
er would be Of little moment, were il not |
that certain erroneous views Of political G.
economy, naturally connected with their Pc
cuiar institutions, are extensively prevalent |
and influential throughout almost the entire |
South The prejndices of birth, education
and habit, lead the Southerner to ascribe the |
superior energy, prosperity, and intelligence
Of the free aborers Of the North rather to |
external causes than TO the inherent force Of
free institutions and they are unwilling to
admit that the comparative unthriftiness o.
the South, in spite Of favored soil and eli |
mate, and OF almost every natural advantage
is in any degree imputable to an erroneous
system Of internal policy. Hence they seek
the cause this unfavorable contrast, in the
dCItOn Oh tue gtttcTdl tie
protective policy, which, though not so OBJ
viously, is as certainly beneficial to the
South as to the North, is made scape-goat,
chargeabe with all the evils that Cypress the
South and the real root of which is 10 be
sought in immediate and remote effects of
their unfortunate institutions. Hence arises
a morbid jealousy of the people and princi-
plies of the North, aud this has been ferment-
ed by political demagogues, and excited by
the heated and Incorporate zeal of ultra alb
olitionists, until il has degenerated into a
feeling that sometimes assumes the form of
open and avowed hostility.
Again, the contempt for labor which sa-
very engenders impels those not born to
wealth to seek livelihood by some less de-
grading occupation, and very large proper
ton of the young men of the South pursue
the study ofpolitics, not as preparation for
the due discharge of the elective franchise,
but as profession which is to yield them
maintenance at the public charge. The
consequence is that this South supplies a
much larger number of political aspirants
and ofiice-seekers land the Blue Book album
dainty testfies that they seek not in vain,
than the North. The dexterity of these
trained par,izans, and their unity of action
on all sectional questions, give them an in
flnence which can rarely be resisted, and its
force has lately been signally exemplifed in
the success of the annexation scheme, a
measure VIGOROUSLY and almost undisguised-
ly advocated as means of strengthening
the political influence of the South, and un-
supported by single argument addressed
to the local aud national feelings Of the
North.
4 These considerations furnish abundant
reasons why every Northern patriot while
nationally abstaining from all interference
with the right or the proper jurisdiction of
the South, should yet strenuously resist eve
ry measure tending to the disproportionate
increase of power; which, as experience
shows, is almost uniformly directed to the
advancement of sectional interests.
We urge these arguments, in no spirit of
hostility to the South, and with no DISPOSE
ton to deny or disparage the eminent SER
vices which the citizens and the statesmen
OF the slaveholdinq States have on many try
- ~~~s.ri1rrs rcu'fcred to the American peo-
pie. But in all this political and Legislative
J warfare, they are the assailants. We are
but acting in selfdefence, in maintaining
the ground on which they originally placed
us.
The enterprise aud capital of the North
ern States were first employed in foreign
commerce, and our agriculurists, seamen
and mechanics reaped rich harvest, during
the continental war that desolated Europe
for twenty years after the French Revolu-
ton. Southern jealousy then ascribed our
, prosperity TO our navigation and commerce,
} aud the protection of domestic industry
/ was advocated by Southern statesmen, with
view of depressing foreign trade, and rem
dering Southern labor more profitable, by
5 providing home market for its products
, This change in our national policy was re-
: sisted by the great marine States of the
: North, but the South prevailed. The pro-
tective policy was established, the industry
: of our laborers, and the wealth of our capt.
talists was diverted into new channels, and
D Providence once more has smiled upon our
: efforts. The North is again prosperous in
: her new career, and the South still languisl-
= es under the canker that is eating out her
i yitals. Her statesmen have again changed
e their grounds, and now insist that we shall
i. demolish the fabric erected by.our laborers
e upon the foundation which they reared for
: u.s. Between the systems of free trade and
: protection, the South has made her deliber-
f ate election. Shall we not now hold her to
S the alternative she has chosen ?
Nor do we by any means admit, as we
: have before limited, that the protection OF
II any branch Of industry is prejudicial to any
e section of our common country. TIE
!, Northern factories consume vast amount
e of the great Southern staple, and provide for