The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1847-04-13

oil the people OF Vermont upon the subject Of
slavery and the existing war with Mexico,
and for the purpose of guarding against the
dangers apprehended by them, il Mexican
territory should be acquired by the United
ntates, have deemed il my duty 10 move
TINS amendment in the form OF aIsecond sue
ion to the bill. Vermont, sir, does not
stand alone in her opposition to the acquisi-
uon Of foreign territory 10 be created into
save States, and, as such, admitted INTO the
Union. No, sir; seven other sovereign States
have spoken out upon the subject, and an
nounced their determination 10 oppose The
further increase oil slave States. These mo-
ceilings OF thesovereign States have been
been denounced with great vehemence by the
honourable Senator from South Carolina.
MIR. Butler, as aggressive upon Southern
rIghts-and, anticipating IN amendment If
The character have introduced, he denoun-
ced as unconstitutional, unjust, and insuI-
ung 10 the South Sir, wherein are these
res buttons aggressive upon Southern rights?
| Do they propose 10 interfere with slavery in
The States! No. sir, not at ALL They make
no allusion 10 the domestic institutions of
the South. They refer TO foreign country
where slavery does not exist. and insist that
Il II shall be acquired by the United States,
1t shall remain. as il now is. free. But, sir.
the amendment have introduced has been
denounced aS unconstitutional, unjust, and
Insulting 10 the South. Sir. with what clause
III the constitution does this amendment come
i'll conflict? The power ito dispose of and
make all needful rules and regulations re-
sieciing the territory or other property be-
longing 10 the United States" is expressly
conferred upon Congress.
But the honorable Senator from South
Carolina says this amendment. if adopted,
will exclude the people of the slavehoiding
States IRON the country, because they cannot
take their slaves with Ihem-and therefore il
IS unconstitutional. Sir, this amendment
does not exclude a stakeholder or his slaves
from the country. He has full liberty TO
80 there with his slaves. but they will cease
10 be property, aud become men. They will
stand mp in the image OF their Maker, clothed
with all the rights and belong 10 manhood.
But, sir. this is not Il new question: in The act
OF Congress providing for the admission OF
missouri into the Union, there is an express
clause, there is in all the territory coded by
France 10 the United States under the name
| 'Oi Louisiana. which lies north of 81 , 30
north lantude, not included within the limits
'oi The State OF Missouri, slavery and invol-
'uniary scrvltude, otherwise than in the pun
'ishment al crimes whereof the party shall
have been duly convicted shall be and is
hereby forever prohibited"
The question whether Congress possessed
Il constitutional authority to impose such a
rest riction, upon the ground that the prescri-
bing OF such Il condition is inconsistent with
the sovereignty of the State TO be admitted
and IFS equality with The other States, was
largely discussed, and the result of the vote
established the authority of Congress 10 im-
pose such restriction. An objection, of
similar character, saws Judge Story, was Ia
ken TO the compact between Virginia and
Kentucky. upon the ground that il was n re-
s,rlction upon State sovereignty. But the
Supreme Court had no hesitation in overru-
ling ii, considering it as opposed by the tho
IVY oil all free governments, and especially
Of those which constitute the American re.
publcs.
Sir, il is too late, after the solemn decis.
ion ofCongress and the Supreme Court upon
this subject, TO dispute the authority of Con
gress 10 prohibit slavery in any or all the
territories belonging 10 the United States.
But this amendment, the honorable Senator
says: II an insult TO the South Sir, ! can
not conceive how il can be so regarded.
insult 10 the South ! Why. sir, such a
thought never entered my head, regard
The States oil this Union as members of one
family, and subject To one common destiny
Ono member of the family cannot receive an
injury or an insult without nfiicfing pain up
on The other members Of the family. Slavery.
flr, IS rePugnant TO the feelings ofiIe pco-
pie oil the free States. They regard il as
great evil, and feel themselves under The
highest obligations, rs Christians, rs philan-
throplsts, and as statesmen, TO o. pose its
extension. This, surely, can give no offence
10 the South.
But how was slavery regarded sir, by The
statesmen OF the South in 177G7 What said
The Declaration Of Independence upon the
subject when first reported 10 the Conleniial
Congress! Why, SIR among the charges OF
cruelty, injustice, and oppression ON the
part oil the King OF Great Britain, is in the
following:
"He has waged cruel war against human
nature irreIi; violating its most sacred rights
OF life and liberty in The persons ola distant
people who never offended him; captivating
and carrying them into slavery. in another
hemisphere, or 10 incur miserable death in
their transportation hiiher. This piralical
warfare, the opprobrium Of inidel powers,
IS The warfare Of the Christian King Of Great
Britain. Determined 10 keep open market
where men should be bought and sold. he
has pr0stituted his negative FOR suPpressing
every Legislative attempt to prohibit or re-
strain this exccrable commerce. And that
this assemblage of horrors might want no
fact OF distinguished die. he is now exciting
those very people TO rise in arms amongst
US, and 10 purchase that liberty Of which lie
has deprived Them, by numbering the people
on whom he has also obtrued them, thus pay
ing oil former crimes committed against the
Liberties oil one people with crimes which he
urges them 10 commit against the lives OF an
| oher.n
This, sir is the language of Thomas Jel-
icrson, the great aposIle OF democracy, but
the uncomPromising opponent Of slavery.
| fle commenced the declaration of Indepen-
dence with the self-evident truth. 'that all
men are created equal. that they are endow-
ed by their Creator with certain inalienable
| rights, that among these are life, liberty. and
the persuit OF happiness" Here, sir, you
see in the characters Of "living light the
great basis Of universal liberty upon which
| the Government is founded.