The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1848-10-24

be turned off when mighIier and prouuer so'ieigh-
ties hallfhave arisenand orershadowedth e uroau
West-ii is idle to enquire. BE That as u may
this State has in hand her own independent guar
antics. Whatever may be, in the fufnIe' her req
tons to the rest of the world, she will, we trust
forever remain the sanchez citizens industrious
and frugal religious in sentiment and IN life sfur
dy in republicanism, uubending in adherence &c
the unpretending, yet conservative system Of gov,
eminent under which they have hitherto founo
peace and security, and ce menled in unity rs
free and highly educated yeomanrv
Is it not due 20 the cause Unpopular education
that we consi der whether instruction IN polltl
cal science should no. be engrafted on the DO
dy of our schooling? Under the constitution
OF this State, be who attains to the prescribed
age is ihenceforth, theoretically, politician
and whether qualified or not to act dlscreeiiy
in the new character, he is now one OF tne
constituents of the government and OF us laws
They that would ascertain the principal source
of the political knowledge by which the elect
ors are guided, will find it in the public jour.
nails. Comparatively, few study the science Of
politics to its widest range-few, indeed, have
leisure to pursue it to its full extent Yet, on
it every free government leans, and from II
draws its necessary aliment. All may under
stand so muck of the science, as 70 have ac-
quaintance with the forms, and correct under
standing Of the nature, Of different govern
ments-to be conusant of the principles and the
spirit OF law as a rule of human conduct-to
know the distinctions in rights-and to have
clear comprehension of their obligations as cit
liens. A much more extended indoctrination
of the young men of our country in political
truth than they have yet had is, in my view,
indicated as a precaution by numerous signs
of the times :" and am not now aware of any
mode in which the proposed object could so
easily be accomplished as by making text
book as the science for Common Schools. He
who should apply the energies of disciplined
mind to the preparation of such work, and
render it acceptable for its completeness and
accuracy, will have conferred upon his coun-
trymen an invaluable favor.
Recent events, of which none Of US are ig-
norant. havo placed in unusual prominence
before the public eye subject which it is iu.-
possible to touch without stirring the sensibili-
ties of the whole Union. One of the effects
of the war with Mexico. is the acquisition Of
large portions of her domain, which are now
waiting to be placed by the United States un-
der territorial government. OF the character
Of that war, or the business Of that acquisition,
do not propose here to speak, being forbid
den so to do by The respect due unto the osin-
ions of others, and by the rules of official de-
corum. But, the territory is the common
property of all the States, and upon the point
of the disposal, or of the management OF IT,
Vermont is entitled to be heard, and to act. II
is, therefore, matter of domestic interest, and,
as such, claims our attention and vigilance
The country yielded by our sister republic be-
ing contiguous to the save-holding States, and
much of it being supposed to be naturally suit
ed to the labor of the black man, it is insist
ed that slave owners should be allowed to car
~ their slaves into it and there hold them as
that Congress, in providing gov
eminent for it, should expressly legalize slave
ry therein. do no: understand that the states
men of the slave states, except the few that
ascribe to slavery q divine origin, claim any
natural or unqualified, right in one man to en-
dave anothcr-nor, allowing the same e5cep-
lions, do they hold that slavery exists as an in
stitution of the United States, but admit it to
De State institution. 1t was not established
by the federal government, but tolerated only:
and this was reluctant concession to a sup
posed necessity. Whether Congress can, right
fully, by act of legislation put slave-holding
under guaranty in any place where it did not
exist when the constitution was formed, and its
so called, were arranged, the
people of this State, apprehend, do not con-
slider to be debateable-they denying to that
body such right. But, they hold that Congress
in making I" all needful rules and regulations
respecting the territory" belonging to the u
nited States, may, and ought to, put an inter
dict upon Slavery-that, although they may
not legislate for the introduction Of it, they
may for its exclusion. If, viewed asa COM
pound case Of right asserted, and of power ex-
erci.ed and in some degree submitted TO, it has
come 10 be considered as settled by practical
construction. that national legislation can be
properly exercised in either way; still, this
State, in confning herself to protests, has not
surrendered the principle.
The attempt to procure the allowance Of
slave-helding in Oregon, and It's failure, are
fresh in the recollection of all. Upon that de-
feat of a design to extend slavery, and upon
the evidence it affords of resolution of the
free States TO restrict the institution to its pres
ent limits, l heartily congratulate you-n in
cxultation IS for sectional ascendency gained
but in Joy that humanity has achieved yicto
ry-the joy not a little enhanced by the belize
that, ere long, our Southern brethren will en-.
noble themselves and make the world glad, BY
4 voluntary removal of the blasting evil from
their fair fields, and then start away with un
shackled limbs, to run the race of nationa
Prosperity.
In relation to the point Of Slavery, the pc
sition of this State cannot be misunderstood
That institution was interlaced with the fabric
Of the federal constitution, and it may not b,
violently extracted Yet, as it injuriously af
fects our representative rights, no further sim
liar encroachment thereon will be consented
to. For sufficient political reason, then, thi
State objects to the extension of Slavery
There is, however, profounder cause fol
her incorporating opposition to it. The
people of Vermont have never needed lesson
in humanity nor have they yet to learn how
to distinguish between what they owe to thu
Union and what to themselves. Hostility I,
Slavery il, in them, nm instinct. From tn,
first, they have ever, stood before the vorl,
and avowed their determination to make n,
other terms with it than those that now bint
them. This resolve Vermont has, at all time
to which it was appropriate, distinctly announc
ed in clear consciousness of her maintainin,
the right. She has proclaimed it in her legi:
lative assemblies and in the national council,