Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1847-01-08

cct TO the control alone Of the Legislature and
people ofthe several States wherein it exists
There the convention which framed our Federal
Constitution found it, and there they were re-
luctantly compelled to leave it. Bat surely it is
matter of rejoicing TO US, no less than of honor
TO our fathers that in laying the foundations OF
the social system here where Slavery had new
cr existed, they in great wisdom and humanity
hcdgcdt out, by perpetual interdct, and con-
sccrated the land to Freedom.
In contemplating the history Of that period
and dwelling upon the difficulties which beset
our fathers. in compromising the conflicting in
tcrcsts of the several sections Of the Union, how
cheering it is thus to witness the everything doc
trnes otthe Declaration of American lndepen-
dincc bursting forth into practical operation
wherever it was possible to give them immedi-
a'e efficacy
And how should sense Of deep humiliation
and guilt fall upon us, the defendants of such
men. when, with the prosperous career of ONO
and Of the other free States of the Northwest
err Territory before our eyes, and with all the
lights of this age, of Christianity and Freedom
Geaming uponus, we compare or rather contrast
the ordnance of 1887 with the Constitution cf
Texas, the one pcrpetually prohibiting Slavery
and the other perpe;ually prohibiting Freedom
, How can we reflect upon the motives and means
which brought about the Annexation of that
province with such Constitution IA Constitu-
ton fastening SLAVERY forever upon vast region
wherein a neghborng Republic had already
broken every yoke and let the oppressed go
free
And how, with tho Constitution ofthc United
States in our hands, proclaming that Congress
alone shall have power to declare war, can we
behold President of the United States trample
that sacred instrument in the dust, deliberately,
and without the advice of Congress then in ses-
sion, involve the country in a foreign war of
conquest, and yet not dare give uttcrance to our
indignant condemnation of bis demonstrations
al acts Where is the man who does not
know and feel that this Mexican war is PreS'-
dental war \ WarWhch before its commence
ment, Congress would not have declared a
war tcgun without adequate cause, and without
any great. u-tiiahle. and commensurate object
compatible with the interest and integrity Of the
/ Union. 4 war conducted without wisdom of
design at Washington and relieved from utter
disaster and public odium only by TIE prudence.
/ bravery, and BRILLIANT exploits Of Gen. TaylOr
and his gallant army ot regulars and volunteers.
who have trimphantly upheld our national BAN
ner. and won for themselves imperi,habe re-
nown and the gratitude Of their country
In conclusion of tbs subject. let it never be
forgotten, that while the lrcemcn of Ohio will in
all time to come, as they have in all-timcs past.
e' o,.,. t,,.
viii NOT fail ~, ,,',,i ,',l looJ L,, ,to '.Ioi
how. md aIi oli,or c.,. t;i,,firnoj ,1ons i, toi
power. to hold these iunctonares TO a strict ac-
cauutaJity iorcyegy violation OF the trust COM
mitted to their hands, and especially for every
iniiacuon of that great Constitution. to which
we are indebted, not merely for liberty. but for
our national existence, and which i. worth inf
uont
Il may he tbourh- that those arc erb;oc+s no.
4 Iongipu exclusively to tho General Government,
and thu, Ohio ba M ri,rlt rithor ,hrouoh fine
iIc..,,r,s Of Lor o,,,,i,o tLo ro.oI,,t;o,,s -
her I,eoislature ~ ovar,ss how oniniors con.
carninr tban npt GLo i mot an isol,tol
St,ia-,bn * ono of, ,,ro,t conro5cror, of sister,
States. As such. jbe has PASSED her solemn,
. judgement unon these and OF her nrput questions
Of National Policy. and tits for that reason that
I have referred to them
/ 1t IS for That reason that feel called upon. in
hernamo. t. protest against the rcnoated exer-
else OF the leio Loirer. which sees nothing in all
the West cont tuional or worthy Of its regard
but snars and sanl-bars. and which for wears
las been ob,tructinr the hca!tElul channels of
legislation, and swallowing IN. one by one all
the powers of the Government. lust as these fa-
yarite objects Of its urntrciou have been chol;ipr
up oar rivers. and cnoultnr our steamboats,. our
/ commerce. and our Gv.s
She has also entered and procIaims her protest
against that odlous and ott.raiected s,ub-lroasu.
nv system. re-cnactad at III, last session Of Con-
aress. not only because if doranocs the Curren-
! Cy. renders thc nubjic tro,surr irsocuro and
marni.ics the mower. oftb. srICconstjtnted mon.
arch Of the United States. but because if inoy
itablv tends TO drain the spocie Of the country
from Ohioan all the interior States Of the In
ion, to the great seaporls. where the revenues
ofthe nation are collected. and where. according
to the constitutional veto system of administer
inr the government. tbev are to h, di.hursrd
also.
Ohio furthermore claims ,ho rirl,t to declare
that. by reason of her great natural resources
for manufacturing. her surerahundance of food
and her scarcity Of fabrics. her inland position,
where the cost of the importation Of foreign
goods, and especially Of the expectation of her
own agricultural productions must. il continued.
prove ioreyera heavy tax upon her labor, she
has been induced to invest large sums in ma
nulacturing and mechanical pursuits That
unlike the older establishments Of some of her
sister States these branches of industry are in
that infant state requiring Protection That she
has no confidence in foreign market for her
great staples EXCEPT in seasons Of starvation
abroad Ike the present. That she must lave
Home Manufactures and n Home Market. hat