Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-04-29
NUMBER 80.


understand the people; that their resolutions arc
not what they seem be that they do not require
any immediate movement or present oppositioni
that they only look TO some distant future, some
emergencies yet TO arise; that they only refer to
disposition in regard 10 territory after it shall have
been acquired and settled; and in one instance,
think, il was said that il did not appear that any
thing was required Of US for fifty years TO come.
Mr. President, / understand all these things very
differently. Such is not the voice OF the free,
States, and of other Siaes as receive il. Their
trumpet gives forth uncertain sound Its tones
are clear and distinct. understand that loud
and imperative call is made upon US 10 act now; TO
take securities now TO make it certain now that
no more slave States shall ever be added 10 this
Union. ~ ~ - ...,s tar ,.4 -N
i will read, sir, the Massachusetts resolutions:
R.sOlrsd unanimously That the Leg.atars Of M,ssehs;
the United saiea great eaamiyan immense moral and
on S n ss s"s and ,ba is elsn
should be unfomy and earnestly opposed BY all good and
Rssoirsd ,aninOly That the people Of Massaehqseii.
W. sLesson.y s ne - ~ my ~ ~ ,oIerS
eabshedj and the Legislature IN behalf Of The people o.
sSs ms s do bn az express pro.is
BY Congress there shall he neither slavery nsoua-
| ment Of crime" -
Sir, is there any possibility Of misunderstanding
this Is there any escape from the meaning Of this
| language! And yet they are hardly more explicit
than The resolutions OF Otnet Legisidtufes-nlCut.
| gan New York, Vermont, and all the rest
| The House Of Representatives Of Massachusetts,
! is, believe the most numerous legislative body in
tie country. On this occasion il was not full but
among those present there entire unanimty.
| For the resolutions there 232 votes; against
| them none. Not man stood up 10 justify the
| war upon such grounds those upon which it has
| been, from day TO day, defended here. Massachu- .
sets without one dissenting yoiee-and thank
| her for il, and am proud Of her for it-has de-
4 nounced the whole object for which our armies are
/ now trHersng the mountains OF Mexico or about
! TO plunge into the pesence OF her coasts. The
| people OF Massachusetts are as unanimous as the
members Of their Legislature and so are her Rpe-
1 resentatiyes here. | have heard no man in the
State in public or in private life, express differ
ent opinion II anything is certain, il is certain
that the sentiment Of the whole North is utterly OPP
posed to the acquisition Of territory 10 be formed
into new slavehoding States, and, as such admitted
into the Union
Bot here sir cannot but pause am arrested
by occurrences Of this night which, confess. hl
; me with alarm. They are ominous, ponentous.-
Votes which have been Just passed by majorties
here, cannot fail TO arrest public attention Every
patriotic American, every man who wishes 10 pre-
serve the constitution, ought to ponder them we'll
heard, sir, the honorable member from New York,
(Mr Dix and with great part Of his remarks
agreed ! thought they must lead 10 some useful
Il result But then what does he to- after all
He is for acquiring territory under the Wilmot pro-
vso but at any rate he is for acquiring territory.
He win not vote against all territory to form new
States, though he is willing to sny they ought not
= to be slave States. Other gentlemen OF his party
from the Northern and Eastern States vote in the
: same way and with the same view. This is called
y ''the policy Of the Northern Democracy" SO de-
nominate the party only because IL so denominates
J itself A gentleman from South Carolina, (Mr
y Buter) if understood him rightly, said he wanted
new territory all he desired was equality, and
no exclusion; he wished the South 10 be saved
: from any thing derogatory and yet he does not
} vote against the acquisition Of territory Nor do
y other Senators from Southern States They are
= therefore, in general in favor OF territory and
new States, being Slave States. This is the policy
= OF the Southern Democracy Both parties agree.
g therefore, 10 carry ON the for territory though
: il be not decided whether the character Of new
I acquired territory shall be that Of freedom or Of
=, slavery. This point they are willing TO leave for
u future agitation and future controversy. Gentle
y men who are in favor Of the Wiimot proviso are
ready nevertheless vote for this BILL though that
D proviso be struck out The gentleman from New
York is ready for that and his Northern and East
ern friends who sit round him here in the Senate,
= are as ready as he is. They all demand acqusi-
y ton, and maintain the war for that purpose. On
The other hand the other branch Of the party votes
Y eagerly and unedly for territory the Wilmo, pro-
y viso being rejected, because these gentlemen take
. il for granted that that proviso being rejected.
70 States formed out Of Mexico will necessarily be
or slave States, and added to this Union as such.
- Now, sir, il has appeared TO me from the begin
q ming that the proposition contained In the amend
y ment which was submitted some days ago, by my
friend the honorable member from Georgia. is the
y true, and the only true policy for us to pursue
y That resolution was in these words: Aa
Yovidtd a.uds And It Is hereby declared be the
intent and meaning 81 Congress in making this aPpIopIsoa
that the with Mexico ought not 70 be prosecuted hy 5