The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1846-12-10
J. HOLCOMB, Editor 4 Publisher

quest of territory will be followed by the m
grafton Of Shareholders, and that states wi
arise with constitutions framed to perpetual
the abominable institution of slavery am
claim admission into the Union on equal term
with Texas? And shall the non-sla9eholdin
states submit to this ? Is the vast territor,
of Mexico to become part of the Fedora
Union? Is it to be made one vast market
t for slaves? Are the present states of the I'm
ion to be overwhelmed with new territory
acquired by force, and with a vast population
entirely untitled by ignorance and degrade,
ton for the high privileges of citizens of the
Union? Measures Of this kind are dametric-
} ally opposed to the great objects for which the
Constitution purports to have been formed:
obviously they tend to dissolution of the
Union-to disturb domestic tranquility-to
bring upon us the hostility of the whole civil
lied world, and to endanger the blessings OF
liberty, which it was the design of the fathers
Of the Republic to secure to themselves and
their postcrity.
Your committee believe that it is unneces-
sary to enlarge upon this topic: dangers so
vast and imminent need but to be named to
awaken the liyeliest apprehensons of every
lover OF liberty, and to press him to the most
effectual means Of averting them.
| With such evidence before them of q deter
mination to make Slavery the chief element
in the Government-to shape its whole do
mestic and foreign policy, and, ifreccnt events
forcshadow the future, to crush the energies
of Free Labor and reduce the industrious
masses of the North to the condition ofslaves,
let us put it distinctly to the several states
to say, whether they will honorably and law
fully resist like freeman, or tamely submit
! like slaves.
! Your committee sees nothing so likely to be
eflectual as a blow at the root of the evi-a de-
termination to exclude every new slave state
! from admission, and to appeal to all the states
OF the Union to unite in this determination.
1t is but courteous to put this issue to the
slave states as well as the free, and we would
do it earnestly, seriously and fairly-wth no
wish or design to give offence, and with no
purpose but to incite them to a calm consid-
GRAFTON of a question which is of an absorb
ing interest to all the states, but of peculiar
and deep importance TO them. We wonld
fam hope that the sentiments of Washington
and jefferson upon this delicate subject may
yet find response in the Southern states and
encouraged by the patriotism aud prudence
which have been displayed by not a few of
Northern statesmen upon the Texas question.
we would rejoice in the expectation that even
from the South, will there come aid to stop
this wild and wicked career of conquest-to
restore peace-to maintain the integrity ofthe
Unou-and to avert the just judgment Of
Heaven from our guilty land.
Your committee recommend the adoption
of the following preamble and resolutions:
Whereas. In our Judgment the existing war
with Mexico was not founded in any impera-
tive necessity such as may Justify or excuse
christian nation for rcsorting to arms, and
has now manifestly become an offensive war
against neighboring Republic and where
as we have just grounds for anticipating that
the territory which has been or may be occu-
pied or conquered, will become Slave terrific
ry and as such claim admission to the Union;
and whereas its admission as such, and with
a mixed population degraded by ignorance
and superstition and allied to us neither in
interests, character nor language, will endan-
ger the harmony, welfare and perpetuity Of
the Union therefore be it
Resolved, By the Senate and House of Rep.
resentatives, That the honor and best interests
of the nation will be subserved by speedy
end of the war with Mexico, and a settlement
of all matters in dispute by arbitration or ne
collation..
RcsoIred, That Vermont will not give its
countcnancc, aid, or assent to the admission
into the Federal Union of any new state
whose constitution tocrates Slavery; and
does hereby appeal to each Of her sister
states to concur, in its own rame, in its dec
laration.
Reso'rcd, That the Senators and Rcprescn-
tatives in Congress, from Vermont, will con-
form to the hearty wishes of their constituents,
byearncstly supporting the principles set forth
in the foregoing preamble and resolutions,
and in using all Of the just, eficctual and con
stitutional means to avert the tremendous evils
of Slavery, and resists its encroachments up
on the rights and interests Of the non-slaye-
holding states.
Res0lccd, That His Exccllcncy the Cover
nor be requested to forward a copy of these
resolutions to the Governor of each State in
the Union, and to our Senators and Repre-
sentative in Congress, under the seal of the
State and with his signature of approval,
II. j. ROYCE, for committee.