Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1848-08-31
GREEN MOUNT AIN FREEMAN.

respect to the time when and which, it
the opinion Of the Convention that should be abolished
which has been usual on the part Of the friends Of immediate
action. Most rejecting and phanthopc minds live in the hope
that they will day slavery abolished not only in the Dis
ct the States aO in the latter through the agency of the
state governments, to whom the constitution wisely leaves excu
power natter and in the former by Congress. may
be mistaken but think see in the guarded language of the o
uOn evidence apprehension on the part othe Convention,
that difference opinion to some extent at least existed among
members upon point referred of enlightened and
truly patriotic resolve, not to suffer that circumstance, if existed,
10 weaken the moral of their unanimy the great ques
ton which has brought them together.
My opinion in favor Of The Of Congress to abolish slavery
in the District OF Columbia has been repeatedly avOwed well
when Canddas whilst Presidents and every days reflection has
but served to onrn conviction OF its correctness lathe same
time express myself strongly against the expeency oexecsng
letter to the ~ Y delegation at Utica referred to
nv continued opposition to that measure The subject was only
incidentally introduced and there was consequently, but little
taken in regard to the TERMS in which the suggestion was
made.
The form of expression which employed has appears led
many honest and intelligent to that the remark re
ed exclusively to the past and was not intended to convey my
present the matter. This construction though perhaps
not unwaraned by the words employed is in fact erroneous
and is due TO TRUTH to fair deang and to all who take an inter
est in the NATTER that the subject should be placed in its true
light.
it not many of the reasons which, in 1884,
and BEFORE operated produce the convictions then expressed
Uuca could nave ancpaed W has since occurred shou
have felt duty to discriminate between the which
had passed away and those which yet remain But when my let
them written nothing could have been further from
catons than that should again be candidate for the
pesdency and of COURSE not my intention to what
my conduct would be on this OF any other ae again an in
have spoken in former part this letter. the three leading
features of the policy regard slavery adopted by the Fathers
Of the Republic History, if true, record the fact that the
has hitherto faithfully sustained her part mantcn-
ance of this policy and in none more so than in that which ncu
frbeaance the point referred wish the
Obeaance which has long characterized her conduct in this
matter, still farther continued Approving of the atfom which
the Convention has adopted and conscious from my impressions
Of right and duty in regard it, that shall b. among the last to
abandon prefer not to connect efforts to sustain it, with an
issue which, all must admit to be in degree at least affected
by different considerations.
In my Judgment all that necessary to insure success
passionate but steady aud firm action Let the great principle
cOntendng for be established in the
Columbia will fall of itself Other and more important interests
will Intervene and induce the nhab themselves labor or
its removal.
not, however, be UNDERSTOOD either by what say,
or by what said in my letter the New York Delegation
hold my approval from bill for the abolition of slavery in the Dis
c could not give any such assurance, for the
that the ccustahces by which the question is now surrounded
widely and materially different from what they when the
cy circumstances must cono At that time the apprehension
honestly entertained that there danger Of serve war; in
consequence the which agitation this question
Participating this apprehension and believing that dec
aaton in advance of any action of Congress upon the subject
would have sauary influence alayng excitement and wand
ing off the danger which menaced the of the slave holding
dates did not hesitate to make it. Whilst on the one hand, all
grounds for this apprehension have passed away the
other, Threatened with sbveon Of the prt and character
government through the successful encrOachmens If the
power Iunde such circumstances wn branches ofhe national
legislature should decide that due regard for the public interest
requires The passage of such law should not President think
within the line of duy to arrest its passage by the exercise
Among difficult subjects that occupied the attention of my
usoIs predecessors whilst member of his cabinet and a
The aid of the general government occupied prominent position
Whilst the conviction very general with ourselves and 9th
quarter and that could be extended them without ev
cefdng the prescribed powers Of the goyysnmen all we
which the legislation of Congress upon the subject unavod
bly, exposed The Of frequent and c
between President Jackson and myself during the first two
years of his first and the whole of his last term The result
conviction that no better could be adopted than approve
such bills satisfied within the class referred
and to do all that could be rghfy done by the Executive,
the Fad Ths wgy for y
and harbor Improvements contained the Of Congress
proved during respective administrations will show the
suits of that conviction; aud know of nothing that would proven
Office Of President '''''0 '0N'-' D'''''
The subject of import nee, and well deserving the
tenon bestowed upon by the Chicago Convention Of last year
have not before me the letter addressed by my lameted friend
Governor Wright to that body hut was strongly and favorb
impressed by the views he expressed upon the general subject
The views which have for many entertained in regard
the best disposition by Congress- Of the public lands have been
First That Congress ongh to act upon the the principle that
United states have greater interest in the early settlement
substantial Improvement Of the public lands than in the
Secondly That the accumulation large tracts in few hands
should he dscOuntenanced and
Thirdly That LIBERAL facilities ought to be afforded, for the
QUESTION of small Portions by such Of citizens, wherever esd
ing good faith, DESTROYS of possessing them homes
themselves and their families These opinions were announced
far back as 1895, whilst candidate for the Presidency set t
Also in my letter the Industrial Congress, the recommendation
had whilst President made Congress- and the had
II proved to promote tue policy had avJwed. The genera
principles have sustained upon the subject Of the dpDsJ
OF the public lands are in harmony with the resolution of the
ventiOn with this differences that whilst the convention prUpls
grants oil limited actual ecm the
est that had gone was to recommend grants of of them
prices % any thing, than sufficient defay
of survey and location he policy which have Ion
adhered, and for the of which have been sincerely
0us makes the early, and as far practicable substantial
Of the public lands the principal and the derive
from the sales OF them, secondary and comparatively unmpo
tan object.
regard the question revenue only Important because
affords prospect OF securing regularity, and greater degree
stability in the settlements If plan be devised by
these objects would in all reasonable probability be Well aft
il ed the be- by the exacon Of pecuHiary considerable
from the Settlers the REIMBURSEMENT of that consideration
with me- be no objection to the measure From report of I'll
public lands which lately been forwarded
appears that the sales Of the public lands have been pledged
the public creditors for one Of the loans of The last year If this
Congress will without doubt any plan for III free gin Of
portions Othe public lands 10 actual settlers should hereafter fin
favor their eyes that the objections arising from this
be- in proper way, Obvated Come what the good fail
=, ofthe nation always scrupuolsly be maintained
My opinions regard duties and the
n revenue fully given my letter the Indiana CUnvrnti0
in S43, which extensively published and they
that occasion, We reasons for regarding the y
tenn Of taxation in force in the states, namely direct tax
assessed property more equal and equitable than system of
ties imports gave my for believing that dut
by which the federal government would collect its
preference to direct taxation Although the latter
10 cy is believe, steadily gaining in the public mind its advance
been sufficient authorize expect its early adoption
In the time the government must have revenue for ITS
port very heavy debt which has recently incurred Dug
to be paid practicable Under these circumstances
quesce the resolve Of the ConvenOn that the for the
. purposes should be raised by revenue tariff.
n have deemed due to the Convention and to the Occasi0n
II depart thus much from the rule which prescribed mys
letter the Industrial Congress- in regard to farther eXposOns
opinions upon public Questions Having done So shall fort
the canvass adhere that rule and leave the whole
IL in the hands of the people, with whose disposition of all
- | be, and certainly will he satisfied.
- AIN, Gentlemen, very respectfully your friend,
u.s. BENJAMIN +. BUTLER,
Wv JOSEPH l.. WHITE, and
lis SALMON +. CHASE, Esq'rs,