The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-04-17

perlcnce, and their wholesome though coarse
food, tins blot in our country increases fast
or faster than the whites During the regal
government, we had at one time obtained a
law winch imposed such duty on the impor-
tation OF slaves as amounted nearly to a pro-
hibition, when one inconsidcrate assembly,
placed under peculiarly of circumstances,
repealed The law. This repeal met joyful
sanction from the then soycreign and no de-
vices-no eXpedients which could ever after
be attempted by subsequent ussembles-und
they seldom met without attempting them
could succeed IN getting the royal assent to a
renewal OF the duty, In the very first session
held under the Republican Government, the
assembly passed law for the perpetual pro
hlbition OF the importation of slaves This
will IN some measure stop the increase of this
great political and moral evil, while the minds
OF our citizens may be ripening for n complete
emancipation ofhuman nature" b
For ia slave can have country in this
world, it must be any other in preference to
that in which he is born to live and labor for
another; in which he must lock up the facul.
ties ofhis nature contribute, as far us depends
on his individual endcavors, to the eyanish-
mcnt OF the human race, or entail his own mis-
cradle condition on the endless generations
proceeding from him. With the morals of the
people, their industry also is DESTROYED For
in warm climate, no man will labor for HIM
l
This is so true, that Of the proprirtors ofslaves
very small proportion, indeed, are ever seen
to labor. And can the liberties of Il nation be
thought secure when we have removed their
only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of
the people that these liberties are of the rift
OF God; That they are not to be violated but
with his wrath;
"Indeed, ! tremble for my country when
| reflect that God is just; that his Justice can
not sleep forever; that, considering numbers,
nature, and natural means only, a revolution
| OF the wheels OF fortune, an exchange of situa-
tons, is among possible events; that it may be
come probable by supernatural interference
The Almighty has no attribute which can take
sides with us in such contest. But it is i'm
possible to be temperate, and to pursue this
subject through the various considerations of
| policy, Of morals, ofhsory, natural aud civil
! We must be contcnted to hope they will force
| their way intOevcry ones mind. | think a
! change already pcrceptiblc since the origin of
the present revolution. The spirit of tn mas.
ter is abatlng; that Of the slave rising from the
dust; his condition modifying the way, hope
preparing, under the auspices of Heaven, Tor
! Il total emancipation, and that this is disposed
in the order ofevents to be with the consent of
the master, rather than by their cxtrpation.'
Again, Mr. Jefferson, in Il letter to Governor
Coles, Of Indiana, speaking Of slavery, said:
! hS hSul VI CIlldIlGlpdllOn VIII come; nut
whether it shall be brought about by the rem
erous energy of our own minds, or by the
bloody process Of ST. Domingo, is a leafin our
history not yet turned over"
will here, sir, leave MIR Jefferson and his
Notes ON Virginia, and turn to the proceed
lngs oithe Congress ofthe Confederation ia
l7o4. On the oh of April, 1854, Congress
took into consideration the report of com
mttee consisting of Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Chase
otMaryland, and Mr. Howell ofRhode Island
to whom was reconmitted their report of II
plan for II temporary government olthe west
ern territory. The plan reported contained
II clause prohibiting slavery in tie territory
after the year 1900. Here is the cluuse, and
tile vote upon il:
"lN CONGRESS- orrnE CoSrEpERAriox,
April 10, 1854.
That after the year 1900 the Christian era,
there shall be neither slavery nor involuntary
servtude in any of the said States, otherwise
than in the punishment of crimes, whereof the
party shall have been convicted to have been
personally guilty And on the question:
Shall the words moved to be struck out stand;
The yeas and nays being required by Mr. How.