The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-01-29

II GISam OF Light
While the great majority of the slave hold.
crs of the South are applying themselves to
bring about measures to strengthen d enlarge
the "arca of Slavery, Il increase the value of
their slaves, there is another, and as yet, mi
norty class, who are opening their eyes and
searching out measures with the view of deliv-
cring themselves from what they begin to
think to be, curse, rather than blessing
Every freeman must rejoice to see spirit of
inquiry abroad in the right qunrter--among
the slave holdcrs--and while this inquiry is
progressing, tlic norlh, as we look at the sub
iect, has one important duty to periorm-and
that is, to interposc an insnrmoHatatie Jarrier
to the extension IF Sideery. This is our leading
duty, and one, in regard TO the faithful per
Torrance of which there can be no escape
without guilt. No more foreign territory;
or, if more, that only which shall DC made by
Fundamental law, rEHPErUALLY FREE.
All collateral questions involved in the strug-
gle for freedom, are not worth mentioning in
comparison with this; and whoever raises the
fatal cry, in relation to Mexican territory,
as some did, when they proclaimed the ques.
ton of the annexation of Texas of no conse-
uucncc, deserve to be branded as the allies of
slavery and the enemies of freedoms for, what
ever of territory is obtained of Mexico, unless
a trihe on the northern boundary prove an ex-
ccpton, will become as was, and is, Texas
slave territory. None en- doubt this who
witnessed the progress of Texas Annexation
The same party and the same leaders that
brought in Texas, are now seeking Mexican
territory and for the same purposes. The same
motives govern their conduct, and the same
INSCRIPTIONS means will secure the same
result unless defeated on the main question of
territory.
To conline slavery to its present limits is of
incalculablc consequence, for thus confined, il
will have less strength to sustain itself in The
great struggle which must come. In old slave
States the institution is much weaker than in
new The anne xation of Texas has undoubt.
eddy added many years to the age ofslavery in
this country;-a further addition, by the an
nexation of Mexican lie rrtory, would still
lcngthen out its years, perhaps to endless du.
ration. But we drop the subject for the fol
lowing, which is from the Louisville (Ky.) Elk
uUllltl, HiOSb PAtt1''Nti 'N u'Ni VI
paper in the whole country:
"KentuclSy 10 now cursed with slavery. i
is easy to paint its terrible effects; but it is no
so easy to say ho,o we shall rid the state of
them. Yet, we believe, the public mind is re
solved to grapple with the evil, and that, if we
are prudent, patient, and wise, we shall hear
ere three years pass by, that II Gun be mastered
| hou harm, IN mr. hurt In claw -
We give way to no enthusiasm. We counsel no
from our feelings. Soberly, with iron front
and coolest deliberation, we have sought t.
ascertain the real wish of the people, and tina
wish we think, nay we may say we knoao t
be, in favor ofemancipation.
Virginia is borne down, also, with slavery
She feels it to the very quick. And Yves
virgniu--thc most populous part of the OIL
Dominion-is resolved to be free. We kno,
something of this country-something of it
people, their character, and the influence
likely to operate upon them. From these, W
should say, there could be no failure anon
them, of any well directed eff'ortin behalf o
emancipation. But our lctters-the free cor
LESSONS oc some ofthe best of mcn--from th
section---so calm, yet so decided, so clear as
the good to be gained, and so positive as to tn
determination of the people to enjoy it-mak
us certain of success in West Virginia.
have yet to meet one Shareholder in my cour
ty,' says an able man, 'who avows his oppos
: ton to emancipation; know no slave holdC
who is not eager for it, IF the vote wei
taken to-day aflirms promising young vi
ginan, ninety out of every hundred me
2 would be for freedom. The majority write
a mechunic-farmer, 'aeaRt, and 'oW haze ema,
/ cipatioa. If borne down, then, with SLAYER.
, West Virginia is preparing to hcave it off, an
if she is dealt fairly by,three years will not re
, over our heads, without our hearing sho
| from the mountain Land, that all are FREE.