Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1848-01-20
o. The writer o. the following stood almost
alone against the resolutions which he condemns,

o. The writer Of the following stood almost
alone against the resolutions which he condemns,
and he has peculiar claims for a hearing.
Fellow VLRMoNTERs,-W have become
distinguished by declarations of hostility to slave
ry uttered in behalf of our Legislature. BY the
session of 1916 we denounced The war with
Mexico as IA "wild and wicked career OF
conquest" and proclaimed our 'conyiclion tina,
the annexation Of Texas and the conquest OF
Mckee, are parts Of stupenduus scheme de-
signed for The perpeuation and extension o:
slavery, and the permanent establishment of
political policy in the milton. subservlent in all
its features, to this altrocious design" In the
same document IRON which these words are
copied, we signify our belief in view Of the con-
quest OF Mexico that there existed I" determi-
nalnn to make slavery The Chief element of The
Government, and to crush the energies OF
free labor, aud reduce The industrious masses OF
the North Ia the condition of slaves" See Jour
nal 81 The House for 1916 PIP. 2S3, 2S4.
Such are our declared views. But a new and
peculiar expression Of views was cullcd forth
from The last session of the Legislature BY the
'faTT OF C0lOnP1 Ransom wiiia lighting with the
Mexicans. Among the resolutions passed by
that session OH occasion of his death was the
following:
ReSo'ud, That his Excelency the Governor
as token o the respect OF The General Assem-
bly, of this State for The memory OF Col. RANSOM
is hereby authorized to procure ard present, a,
such tine and IN such manIcr ms he may dceu
proper TO The SON Of Col Ransom, now Cadel
Mt West Point, an appropriate sword, with sucl
devices and lnscrlpIO thereon, as will best
perfeuate the memory OF the deceased, anC
most tfectuaIly awaken in the bosom vi the son
those sentiments OF lofty aud fervent patriotism
tor which the father was 50 preemlnonly dlsin
guisbed."
What important service drew forth This NEED
OF praise from u grateful Legislature? Do VIC
owe our freedom ~ Col Ransom? No such thing
lie did not fight the battles Of freedom, but OF
slavery. lie aided in carrying out all "alrocious
design and helped forward "a wild and wicked
career Of Conquest" THIS is the benefit
which 1t required the best powers of our Ian.
guage 10 acknowledge. The legislature IN con-
slderlng Co. Rapsnn's merits did not Judge hun
TO be SIMPLY patrlolic. No, his patriotism was
lofty aud tervent." For this LOFTY and feryen,
PATRIOTISM lie was distinguished, and no, mereh,
Distinguished nor en.inentiy distinguished, but
permanently" so. And to show their respect
Tor IMAM preelnlnently distinguished by lofty
PATRIOTISM ana to perpetuale that patrlolistn in
the BOSOM OF his son, they deem it wise 10 author
ise some expenditure.
Verhonters, shall we endorse these views OF
our Legislature? J, for one, protest against
thenI, as conradc:ing all our declarations Of
hos'ility 10 slavery, aud approving Col. r llson's
acton IN aiding an "arucous design" Would
IL mol be Wise to weigh benefit before we Law.
ish praise ON the benetaclor! Should the be
hesed objects ot the war be accomplished and
slavery become the "chle. element of the Gov
Trt!meni," should the energies Of free Labor
be crushed, and the people oi Vermont be reduc.
ed to The "condulun OF slaves" we shall be II
better circumstances than we now are duly /,
appreciate what Col. Ranso has done Tor u
III Vermont Legislature Is in haste to exto the
patriotism That hghls under the banner OF slavery
the people at least ough, to wait ill they emo,
lis fruits.
Is That patriotism "lofty" which is inconsls
tent with philanthropy, or which would fill unt
country with widows, that another may ENJOY
tie triumph vi injustice! " iih The views o
lei6 we cannot but regard Col. Ransiul's patrl
ollsm as misguided. Why then should we EN-
courage such patriotism by excessive and un
qualified praise? Do we seek to fire our young
men VITA enthusiasm to enlist in an unjust wal
and expose them to fall as Ransom did, on tn
baille-hclds OF Mexico? A legislative nhu
ehce lending 10 such calamity may well b
deprecated, and ought TO be opposed Enoug
II our young men are encouraged 10 defend GU
own sul and our own rights. Sound aud en-
iIghtened uolrlollsm will not lead US to suslai
our country in injustice, or 10 desire that sh
may eUJoy olher triumph tnan Inc triumph [
right.
The same legislature that passed the abov
resolution, passed olne.s Ia honor of Ethan A
len. IL THIS our consistency How dltiereI
and opposite were The characters OF Col. ALE
and Col. Runsom. Alien fought for freedom
hansnni Tor slavery. Allen resisted aggressu
and defended the soil Of his State. Ransom lie
his own country and state to invade foreg
soil. Allen sldeu with justice against iearlt
odds Of power. Runsum took the side Of pow,
against justice. ii Ranson,'s merit consisted
his devotion 10 his government, what shull "
think oil Allen who rebeed against h 5 King?
In slloTl, there Is no common ground on whlC
both can be honored, except that both we
~ heroes. But have we, OF Vermont, become
Injected win The prevailing spirit OF hem.wo
ship that we can exlol a inau 10 heaven sunp
because he Is Il hero, though agasnl freedom
II The French army, sent " reduce the lnhuu
lanlS ot 81. Domingo 10 slavery, were disgust,
with Their lghonlnlous employment, surely
becomes Vermont rather TO blush lhan 10
proud when any Of her sons enlist in the eng