Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-10-22


and "a were improved There are now in the in
slituton 29l, of whom 1913 are bene6ciaries, shar-
ing in the continued muni6cence of the State.
II cannot but be gratifying to the friends othu'
mainly that the institution free from debt aud with
accommodations complete as it now possesses,
has entered upon full aud unembarrasseh career
Of usefulness, and is now, from week TO week, Civ
ing back to society TO usefulness aud 10 happiness
those who had entered within It's walls under the
darkening Of mind and SOUL the propensity to mis-
chief, and perchance the ferocity, which charac-
terize the unhappy maniac. Or where the cloud Of
darkness has settled permanently down upon the
soul Of the unfortunate inmate so that in the III
terness of his mental ruin such favorable result
as we have supposed, can be realized, our human.
ity may yet be consoled by the reflection that re-
fuge is afforded him the best adapted to his cond.
ton, and the best calculated 10 contribute to his
comfort and happiness, that beneyolence could
provide or devise.
But Vermont, aside from the interests which her
domestic policy can reach aud guard has others,
growing out Of her relations TO the general govern
ment, Of high importance And these interests
have been deeply affected by the prominent meas
ures which, during the past year, have been con-
summated in the Congress OF the United States
Among those measures, and first in the train is
that by which the institution of Slavery has been so
distinctly recognized as one Of the elements Of
national policy, and adopted as one of the objects
Of the nations care By thus prostituing the ma
tons power, and applying its energies to the I'M
constitutional and unhaIlowed purpose Of extending
the limits and increasing the political influence OF
this institution, the government has encroached up
on our own just rights, well as committed an
outrage upon the moral feelings Of our citizens
Against slavery itself, as system wrong in prsc.
tice aud wrong in principle, Vermont has taken
the ground Of rreconcilable hostility and she must
aud will continue to maintain it. Educated under
aState constitution which brealhes the spirit of free
dom in every line her people have deeply imbibed
| that spirit. In defending and maintaining her
! position, she would infringe on no constitutional
rights she would dissuade from all awess violence.
Her adherence of slavery will manifest itself nel.
Their in words OF insolence, acts Of outrage II
| is embodied in calm, though stern and settled
purpose, earnestly 10 advocate the cause of human
rights. and firmly and fearlessy TO resist any en-.
croachment upon her own. And this it is her FIX
ed determination to do by whatever means she can
| rightlully and lawfully cammand
IL is true that the unjust measure alluded to has
been consummated, and one OF its disastrous
consequences already realized we have been inyov.
| ed in an unhappy war with a neighborng Eepub.
lie. But il the past is beyond retrieve, we still
have duties to perform for The future. We have
| yet to engage in fresh conflicts. The measure
already consunmated, we are reluctantly compelled
10 believe, is but one OF series Of measures vel
impending. designed TO give TO the slave system,
still greater influence in the general government,
and to secure the perpetuly Of its power. En-.
couraged by past success. slavery appears to be
| projecting schemes for the extension of her do.
mains over yet wider space, and for increase OF
the already disproporlionae amount of political
power conceded TO the territory which has been re-
| Gently acquired
| submit then the inquiry whether the occasion
| does not demand some action on the part Of the
Legislature, at this time, by way Of resisting the
| further progress OF this dangerous and growing
evil, which now threatens TO absorb every other in
tsrest of the government and to bind the nations
energies TO the unworthy and odious task oil min.
| ntering to its own unholy purposes aud demands.
Should not the State proclaim to the country
that she persists in the determination ito oppose
the admission into the Union of any State whose
constitution toeraies domestic slavery ?" And
should not such declaration go forth accompanied
with the declaration that Vermont begins TO feel,
in relation TO this subject that there is point
| beyond which forbearance ceases 10 be virtue r.
| That this ground of unyieldng opposition is the
| ground which right and justice and the honor Of
the State require us to maintain, there can be no
question. Aud we scarcely need stop to make
the inquiry whether public avowal Of our position,
i any other action our part, will avail TO resist
the Unsuitable demands of slavery and stay the
present noodtide of her power. 1t would stand
recorded more TO the honor Of the descendants oil
patriotic and worthy sires, that they earnestly and
unwaverngly struggled, though in vain for the
1 right, than that they added, or even tamey sub.
mitied to, the wrong. And while we are reapng
as we have began TO do, the bitter fruits of tho
measure which has already been consummaied in
defiance Of the wishes oil Vermont, and in opposi
ton TO her earnest appeals 10 national justice and
national magnanimy, it is TO her no source Of re.
greet, but rather one Of just and honest PRIDE that
she demonstrated against the measure in advance
and exeried her best energies to prevent its con
summation. And her regrets under the calames
which have followed the deed Of wrong, may be
aeyiated by the reflection that they are not Of her
own procuring
Il There is, however, no occasion TO despair FOL
future efforts In the lessons Of wisdom which the
past may have impressed, and in the gradual prog
J ress Of enlightened views and Just sentiments in re-
I gard TO the intrinsic wrong Of slavery aud lie un
worthiness Of rank among the interests of the na
ton, we may see fair pesages, for the future OIL
more suspicious results.
Among the recent measures Of the general gov
eminent, Vermont cannot but deeply feel tina, o.
the overthrow Of that system Of protective polio,
under which she had been enjoying such unwontec
I prosperity. This must be regarded as one Of the
bitter results Of that addition, already spoken Of
! which has been made to political power in the
government which. we must expect will ever be
hostile to the interests of free labor But Vermont
cannot see her interests crushed and her prosper
y stayed, without nttering her clear and deep.ton
ed condemnation Of the ruInous policy under which
her prospects are thus blighted. She has insisted
and will stu insist, upon protection, as a true and
J correct system Of national policy. Her convictions
both in regard TO its utility and the obligations of
the government TO yield to her its benefits. have
been too clear &c allow her to be shaken in her be.
lief, or frightened into quiet submission by dis.