Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1845-03-14

But if this excitement parakes of the character of
overheaed zeal, Southern gentlemen have them
selves TO thank for 1t. Instead Of entrenchng
themselves behind the bulwarks of the Constitr.
ton, and the rights inherent in the States, in vir-
tue Of their sovereignty, they have chosen to put
themselves in the wrong, by denying us the exer-
else of right "inestimable to freemen, and formi-
daole only TO yrants" and the effect Of this impo-
Itlc step they have now before them.
The conduct Of the South upon this whole mat
ter Is lar from being characterized by the dis
cretlon winch has marked their action, in regard to
their ether great interests There is feverish
resessness IN relation to slavery, which seems to
indicate lurking consciousness that they are in
the wrong on this great question Of the age where
they are opposed to the main body of their own
countrymen, and not to them only but to all Chris
tendon, and the whole civilized world not to this
world only but, firmly believe, to the universal
empire of that Just and impartial God, who created
all men in his own image, and therefore free and
equal.
Because Northern gentlemen insist upon the
cred right of petition, the right of the worm to turn
wren It Is trodden upon, they charged with
reckless hatred of the South and its Institutions
Sir, men truly hate only those whom they fear and
those whom they have wronged. To the South we
say, we trembe not at your menaces, we have done
you na wrong
The North has been charged with ignorance Of
the true character of the serve relation, and of
blindness 10 the palpable and nyincible obstacles,
which are alleged by Southern gentlemen to oppose
themselves to abolition, present or prospective. 1t
les in the very nature Of things, that this charge
should be in some degree true. Nothing but per-
sonal observation can teach the extent either of
the evils of slavery, of the difficulties which inn
pede the abolition Of this, as Of all other rooted
J and general abuses Indeed, | have met with
| an abotionis however jealous who pretended
that he could see his way altogether clear on this
subject
There is, Mr.. Chairman, no general disposition
in the North tn dictate the SOuth this SUBJ
ject of emancipation. We hope you will be con-
WINGED of the eXpediency and duty Of ultimate abo-
| lition, and will in reasonable time redeem your
r implied pledges to that effect and we are content
to leave to you the mode, and had almost said, the
e terms.
a cannot forbear to suggest to Southern gentle
e men, in this connexion one mode by which they
may both pacify the North, and retain and increase
their relative weight in the House of Representa-
G tves. Remove what an honorable member has
called in another place the bugbear Of slavery, and
the current of emigration will set in new dlrec-
e ton. The North has always been otfcina CENT?
r nm, and every year throws off new swarm OF en-
n terprising and laborious Adventures. To them no
C more powerful attraction could be presented than
the mountains and valleys Of the SUNNY South, ii
If like their own snow topped hills and the verdant
Il dels, they were but the abode of the "mountan
n nymph, sweet liberty" The natural advantages,
Y, of the Southern portion of the Union are unques-
tonably unrivalIed upon the face of the EARTH and
/ of free hands, guided by free heads, to enable
it those States to give laws not to this Union only
1t but to the world.
s. But in regard to this charge of ignorance and
}, passion will in all seriousness, suggest to South
: ern gentlemen measure, which honestly believe
h would do much, very much, towards dispelling
ID those clouds of ignorance, and calming whatever
Of exists of feversh passion. Let candid and intel
1t gent men from the saveholdng States wis., the
p North, and call meetings Of all political parties .
l. hear this subject discussed. can confidently pre-
dict that the most jealous advocate, even OF slave
e ry ITSELF who should address the people of the
North this subject, in decent and respectful Ian
guage, would not only be a tentively listened to,
II but civy and even kindly treated Instead OF be-
e ing lynched, any of the supporters of the right
J. of petition would be at the South, he would be
ressed and Toasted and fanatics incendiares
a are, there is this floor Northern gentleman
who would not shed the last drop his BLOOD in de-
ID Tending Southerner against any who should
assa him, for maintaining the rights and interests
is of his own State, in such language as becomes
tie freeman and gentleman. Speak to the people of
D. the North, that heroic young member from North
n Carolina, (Mr. CLINGMAN, last year addressed this
er House, with the simple eloquence OF honest con-
at vction and though you may fail to convince, tho
It's you may shock their prejudice yet you will win their
he respect their sympathy, and their confidence.
n | shall not venture to predict that their opinions
e. would be changed by the course | advise proba-
,st bly,, they might even be confirmed, but all feelings
of undue aspery, all disposition to assail you with
lal any other weapons than those of reason, if such
nd exist would be aayed; the North and the South
its would to better understanding, and this DIFF
to fcult subject would assume the new shape of a
of question: submitted to the jurisdiction Of conscience
IDS and reason.
,is The opinions have expressed in regard to the
Use permanence of domestic slavery, are not only the
present opinions of the North, and the ancient o.
he pnions Of your people, but they were, within very
nj recent PERIOD the opinions of the best minds OF the
in South. Not many years since, several Of your
States were almost persuaded to rid themselves Of
It'll this great burden, and many of you now assign the
es heated zeal and Incorporate action Of Northern a
lin natcs, as reason why they did not go on in the
M good work they had begun. fear this is but too
true and if So they, whose rash interference has
occasoned so deplorable result must share with
you the responsibility of the continuance of this
on evil.
os But generous men will admit that there is some
on provocation for this ZEAL in these notorious facts
of somewhot boastfully alluded to by the gentleman
he from Alabama that, small as your population is you
Of have virtually ruled the Nation, and monopolized
es the great offices in every department of the Gov
as eminent and the further fact, that by direct ap
ev- preparation, defacation, and the Florida war-the
yht real motive of which, was, the defence OF your
es. cuar nstitution"-you have drawn from the Ma
hat tioual Treasury uncounted millions beyond what
ire your popuatou your proper wants, or your contr
he buttons to the public resources, would ente you
sh. 10.
on God forbid that should recapitulate these caus
IN. es of complaint for the purpose Of ustifyng still
lit less of promoting fanatcism which | heartily
rye condemns and it will not be out of place if here
ue, say word upon the origin and character of the
The anti slavery party, The feeling upon which it il
of built originated in the Southern monopoly of office
ed to which have aluded in the supposed hostility
OF of the South to course of policy first forced upor
in US by that section but now indispensable to ou
,dc prosperity, in Conscientious belief that slavery
hat is, both morally and economically, awrong and al
evil. The excitement thus produced has been ag
the gravated and infamed by the denial OF the right
of Seton. by the abuses of the Florida war, byah
his ferce denunciatons of Northern men and North
and ern interests on this floor and by other
~. .s-. a. ha snecifed Ambitious and DESIGN