Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-09-02
Northern SubserYiencY \ Responsibility

j
Men ofthe north look upon slavery as "wrong,
a "great national evil" "sain upon our national
character" and the like, and fegn to mourn over its
existence as system beyond our CONTROL They
would, with willingness consecrute time talents and
money to its overthrow, and wish God-speed to any
enterprise making its destruction an object butt
ID a "souhern institution" existing in the several
States independent of the general government and
therefore beyond the reach of any efforts of ours to re-
move it.
The day for such silly apologies as these is fast
passing and he who makes them may be looked upon
as knavish ignorant; for no man of reading and OBJ
servaton will offer them a sufficient excuse for
Withholding his influence from the balance of anti
slavery power in our country.
Every influence and power which our government
has the right to exercise is first vested in the people;
and if impaired to those who hold the rens of govern
ment is done by the voice the people, and never
can be acquired by rulers in any other ways there
fore what the majority of the governed dictate the same
is done; and wherever the majority there may be the
whole influence of the nation. We find, upon an ex-
animation of the vote given in the last presidential
election that there were cast 274I,720
Ofthese the free States gave 1,899,745.
leaving the vote of the south only 84l ,975
and majority to the north of 1,057,T0,
or more than two to one. Yet when men know that
such is our majority and that can Justly claim an
equal proportion of the wealth and talents of the land
and that we have only to say the word and the affairs
of the nation shaped according to our Dictates
they will, nevertheless, bow down their heads like
hill nj yo IN - l.,
that such momentous evil is hanging to this people,
and that Obliged to pour out so much blood and
treasure for the extension Of this system merely for the
promotion of southern interests. But we see it is our
own submission to all this that makes these uuhappy
eXactons from our wealth and numbers. Yes north
ern men will submit to such usage and even become
the ready sers of the subtlety of the south in the
propagandism of system so degrading and base, and
become the willing instruments to the accomplishment
of designs so hellish Though the influence and the
majority is ours, and have the power to elect our
own President, and thereby conne much of the official
influence of the country to own precincts, STILL
northern men will 60 praying round after southern
president begging some sub office, though it were
an object worthy of prosecution, and as though they
were compelled to do it to receive their share of the
national trust.
But why such inequality, and why so much northern
obesencc to southern arrogance and pride? Is there
more virtue, more intelligence and better moral and
intellectual culture among the citizens of the south
Most assuredIy not but the contrary the prcponder-
ance of all these is ours and for faithful use of them
to the redemption Of the character of our own country
from its present degenerate state, are responsible
Having the balance Of power, deem the north able
to day to the of slavery from the District
OF Columbia; and failing to do it away, they re-
sponsble for its liberation there. These are conclu
sions which cannot be evaded; and being true we usl
you, freeman, where you stand in the matter? VIII
you not at cease your subservencc to the will o
the SOUTH and stand aloof from every saveholdng in
fuence? We invite you to take your position by tn,
rights of northern men, and resolve to act for your
selves, your country and for the redemption of thu
slave. The salvation Of the country must be effected
and will you not rather enlist in the noble work now
and be pioneer in the cause, than fooishy wait 70
popular public opinion? D. II.