Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-05-23
ADMISSION OF FLORIDA---ARROGANCE
OF SOUTHERN SENATOR'S, AND SER
Witty OF NORTHERN.
COncL U 1 e d


ConcLu ded.
Mr.. Woodbridge Of Michigan, opposed the OBJ
noxous clauses the south were fully protected in
their rights without them. There were, to he
sure, enthusiasts and incendiaries in many OF the
States, but the insertion of such clauses az these
would only stimulate the worst efforts of "cragy
aboHtionists" He was far from defending these
people; he never had excused or pallated their
proceedings, and no human being could be more
opposed to them than he was; but by such meas
ures as these, southern men were only creating alb
olitionists. How dgnifed for defender of the
constitution! To be sure, the clauses are utterly
unconstitutional, but we beg of Southern Senators
not to contend for them, lest they should create.
GO fanatical abolitionists" at the north
Mr.. Henderson of Mississippi begged leave to
present a case. Three free blacks OH board a
vessel entering southern port would be mprs-
oned-three slaves, on entering northern port,
would be freed. Where was the d1erencei If
The former act was unjust and oppressive, why
was not the latter? AS though it was no more
the object of our constitution and government to
"secure the blessings Of liberty to ourselves and
poserity," than the curses of slavery! As though,
because slaves are made freemen fby entering
free Stale, therefore, freemen should be made
slaves on entering a slave Statc!
Mr.. White of Indiana thought the gentleman
from Mississippi was mistaken: he thought slaves
were not set free on entering free Safe, without
payment to their masters. lfso, he should be the
last e An mil
Il humane man!
Mr.. Sewer Of Arkansas said the Florida con-
stituton was like the rest Of the slave states. He
was happy to hear the Senator from Maine, and
other honorable senators, "characense the abo-
itionisEos hypocTtical in their operations, and
glad If the south would retain such laws. He
entirely agreed with these gentlemen as to the alb
otionists. He believed they were the BIGGEST
HYpocRITEs, and the GREATEST scoUNDRELs in the
world, and he was especially clad 10 hear gentle
men COMING FROM THE SAME PLACE
| WITH THEM BEAR so JUST A TESTI-
MONY TO THEIR TRUE CHARACTER"
Mr.. Simmons of Rhode Island and Mr.. Hunt
ngon of Connecticut followed but neither of them
rcLulled these libeIs upon large portion of their
fellow citzens--Ihe latter even compIlmented MIR.
Sewer OIL the "ercellent spirir' he had manifesto
in endeavoring to check the asperitieS of de-
baie."]
Judge Berrien of Ga. whose opposition to an
nexaon was vaunted by tho wings as evincng
wing regard for the constitutions rose again with
increased warmth.
10 III wit bout ba-
ing transported to his fire side, to the scenes OF
domestic enjoyment he loved. He depored the
introduction Of the subject, for the admission of
Florida he would gladly postpone the bill, as it
now stood, the provision having been stricken out
for division Of the territory into two States was
sacrifice of southern rights These new propo-
sitions assaileG him in his home and struck at his
dearest interests. He would not shelter himself
under that limited construction of the Senate'-
power which had been put forth by the Senator
from Ohio. God forbid this matter stood OIL
higher ground. The Senate bad the right claim.
cd for it by the gentlemen from Maine and Massa-
chusetts. But these provisions in the constitu
ton Of Florida did not conflict with the fedora
r constitution. If it were in the power of congress:
(Which he thanked God it was no) to deny to
State the right to introduce such clause into it,
constitution as that denounced by gentlemen, the
} moment Congress had proved this by its action i
S would have written on the record Of our natona
history, "This republic was p" They of the soutl
( had not entrusted their rights to the control Of
guardianship of the congress of the United States.
! " God of his fathers! No, they had asked NJ
guaranty, and the government had given then
none"
[Why then demand from the Senate of the U
nited States its sanction to the claim of Il new
State to cnslave citizens of the free states.
s Mr.. Hannegan, of Indiana, commended for th'
propricty of these obnoxious clauses in the const
tuition Of Florid ia. He cared not with wha
motives the amendment had been moved, j