Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-10-15

condition OF that institution. It's DullulSs lSSS'y
erected are now completed so that ample accommo-
datons are now provided for 300 patients; and 1t IS
giving in the results of its operations, ample evidence
that the benefactons of the State to it have not beeh
unworthily bestowed.
During the year it appears that 1877 have been ad-
mitted into tho Asylum, and l69 have been dischaIg
ed Of those discharged "a had recovered ana "a were
improved. There are now in the institution 29l' o,
whom 1913 are benefclaries, sharing In the continued
munifccnce Of the State.
1t cannot but be gratifying to the friends OF human
ty that the institution free from debt and with accom-,
modatons SO complete it now possesses, mas eheFeG
upon full career of usefulness, and now from week
to week, giving back to society, to usefulness ana 10
happiness those who entered within Its walls under the
darkenng of mind and soul, the propensity TO mschle
and perchance the erocity which charncterze the I'M
happy maniac Or where the cloud of darkness has
settled permanently down upon the soul OF the unior
tunae inmate th&n the bitterness OF ms mental fu-
in no such favorable result have supposed, can
be realized, our humanity may yet be consoed BY the
reflection that refuge is afforded him the best adapt
ed to his condition, and the best calculated to contrib
ute to his comfort and happiness, that beneVolence
could provide or devise.
But Vermont aside from the interests which her do
mestic policy reach and guard has others, growing
out OF her relations to the general government OF mgn
Importance. And these interests have been deeply al
tected by the prominent measures which, during the
past year. have been consummated 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 distinct
recognized as one of the elements of national policy
and adopted of the ects of the nations care
BY thus prostuting the nations power and applying
It's energies to the unconstitutional and unhallowed
purpose of extending the limits and increasing the po
cal influence of this institution, the government has
encroached upon Just rights as well as com
l,,At Ahrro
zens.
Against slavery ITSELF system wrong in practice
and wrong ir principle Vermont has taken the ground
of rreconcilabe hostility; and she must and Will con-
tinue to maintain it, Educated under State consti-
tuition which breathes the spirit of freedom in every
line her people have deeply imbibed that spirit In
defending and maintaining her position she would In
fringe on no constitutional rights; she would dlssuade
from all lawless violence. Her adherence Of slavery
will manifest Itself neither in words Of insolence, nor
e acts Of outrage. 1t is embodied in calm, though
stern and settled purpose, earnestly to advocate the
cause of human rights and firmly and ttaressy to re-
sst any encroachment upon her own And this 1t is
her fixed determination to do by whatever means she
can rghtfully and lawfully command.
1t is true that the unjust alluded to has beer
cousummated and as of the disastrous consequent
ces already realized we have been involved in an un
! happy war with neighborng Republic But ii the
past is beyond retrieve still have duties to perform
for the future. We have yet to engage in fresh con
iicts. The measure already consummated, we are
reluctantly compelled to believe, is but one OF Sc
e ries of measures yet impending designed to give
to the slave system still greater influence in the gener
al government and to the perpetuy OF It's pow
er Encouraged by past success, slavery appears tc
be projecting schemes for the extension Of her domains
yet wider spaceand for an increase OF the already
S disproportonate amount of political power conceded
to the territory which has been recently acquired.
submit then the inquiry whether the occasion does
not demand some action on the part of the Legislature
at this me by way of resisting the further progress
this dangerous and growing evil which now threatens
to absorb every other interest of the government and
bind the nations energies to the unworthy and odlou
task of mnsterng to its unhoy purposes and de
# mands
! Should not the State proclaim to the country that
she persists in the determination "to oppose the adms
sion into the Union of any State whose constitution
c toerates domestic slavery" And should not such {
+ declaration 60 forth accompanied with the declaration
that Vermont begging to feel in relation this subject
s that "there IS point beyond which forbearance cea
II SEES to be viftue?" That this ground of unyledlnG
opposition is the ground which right and justice anC
: the honor of the State require us to maintain, there
S can be no question And we scarcely need stop t.
e make the inquiry whether public avowal of our pc
/ ston, any other action part will avail to re
1t sist the Unsuitable demands of slavery and stay thu
corded more the honor of the descendants of patr
/ otto and worthy sires, that they earnestly and unwa
veringy struggled, though in vain for the right tha
i'd that they aided tamely submitted to the wrong
lie And while we are reaping, as we have begun to dc
lie the bitter fruits of the measure which has alread
& been consumaed in defiance Of the wishes Of Yer
mont and in opposition to her earnest appeals to ma
tiona Justice AMI national magnanimity it is to her n
4 source of regret but rather of Just and homes
"a pride, that she demonstrated against the
ID advance, and exerted her best energies to prevent
Il. consummaon. And her regrets under the caamte
ID which have followed the deed of wrong may be allie
III waited by the reflection that they not of her ow
al procuring.
D. There is, however, occasion to despair for futnr
Us efforts. In The lessons of wisdom which the past ma
y, have impressed and in the gradual progress of er
IN lghtened views and just sentiments in regard to tn
Is intrinsic wrong of slavery and its unworthness of
u rank among the interests of the nation, may see IA
" presages for the future OF suspicious results.
S. Among the recent of the general govern
"a ment, Vermont can but deeply feel that of the ove
a. throw of that system of protective policy under whc
II she had been enjoying such unwonted prosperity.
Of This must be regarded of the bterest result
e. of that addition, already spoken Of which has bee
O. made to political power in the government which W
u must expect will ever be hostile to the interests of FIRE
70 labor. But Vermont cannot see her interests crushe
10 and her prosperity stayed without utering her clea
. and deep-toned condemnation of the runous polio
T. under which her prospects ale thus blighted Sh
T. has insisted, and will still insist, upon protection as
Of true and correct system of national policy Her con
" vctions both in regard to its utility, and the obga
I'd tons of the government to yield to her its benefits
Is have been too clear to allow her to be shaken in he
e. belief or frightened into quiet submission bya dis
N tnct and open reputation of the protective prnci
IN pie.
In regard to the advantages Of the system no prop
" ositon, it would seem, could be clear and pal
pabe than that the nation which protects the labor
lie its own population, which fosters and encourages it
d own industry in all its various pursuits and aims In it
IN whole policy to far practicable the produc
ton, within its own limits, of every article rcqust
m for the supply of its wants. will be likely to in
lie crease in wealth and its attendant means of enjoy
g ment more rapidly than one which codly turns ava
Is from its own industrial pursuits Withholding its foster
ing care, and pursuing course of policy rather cal
culaed to stimulate the industry of other countries, b.
l. opening to them market in which all restrictions