Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1848-02-24

dom who, dlslnclmed to attach themselves to a
third party, and merely block the wheels-utter-
ly dissatisfied with the Democratic party, because
of its alliance with slavery, and not sufficiently
satisfied with the Wings, because they think
their practice is not up to their Professions
stay at home, do not vote at all, simply hoping
and waiting for better times When the Demo-
cratic party in Massachusetts suddenly abandon
ed, IN lS45, the opposition to the annexation OF
Texas, in which, up to that time, it had gone
hand in hand with its rival, the effect was imme-
dately seen at the autumn election, in the loss of
seventeen thousand of its votes-very nearly
one-third of the whole number. 1t fell off still
further the following year; and although it re-
covered few thousands at the last election OF
Governor, this gain has been thought to be ow-
ing, to some extent to the accession OF Wings
| favorable to the war There can scarcely he
fewer than 5000 votes in Massachusetts,
The last year but one, the aggregate of votes
scarcely exceeded l0l 900, and the last year
100000. In short, about one-thrd of the voters
did not use their right. OF course, a variety of
causes are to be supposed for this A large num-
Der Of voters always will be missing, But for so
remarkable result it is natural to presume that
there was some prevailing reason aud | suppose
there is no doubt that that to which have ad-
verted had a very material operation
Once more there is large and all-important
class Of enemies of slavery beyond the borders
of the free states In the Lexington district of
Kentucky, it is we'll known that there lives one
of its foes, who bears I" name to conjure with =
and from the city of Louisville newspaper is
sent abroad, within, and to the south and east of
that state, devoted to the doctrines of freedom,
conducted with singular talent and right feeling,
and eXerting a sensible and extensive Influence.
Governor OF Virginia, not long ago, proposed
to the Legislature his enactment of law giving
to the respective counties the power to expeI col
orcd people beyond their limits, The nom
slave-holding farmers, west Of the Blue Ridge,
thanked him "lor teaching them that word. -
They did not approve Of the particular appllca-
ton recommended of this new principle in egis-
aton; but already there is much speculation
about a state law, authorizing the counties sever
ally to abolish slavery within their own borders.
Delaware seems on the verge of emancipation,
and painting for the untred prosperity it will
bring, There are indications that Maryland will
her Representative does not think ought to be
spoken Of here, is discussed very freely in her
dwellings and by her roadsidcs An uncasness
under the burden that 50 Expresses frcemen, is
working in western North Carolina aud eastern
Tennessee. In Georgia, if report says true, the
causes of the depression of the white laborng
man are engaging constantly increasing atten-
ton, and there are whispers that the thing is
whispered even among the sGRdh'HcrS Of South
Carolina. But whether more or less developed
in one place or another | take it to be unques
tionabe that desire for emancipation prevails,
to an extent already not ncon3lderabIe among
the non-sIavehoding population of the Southern
country. And it has healthy root, and must
grow. They are coming to see that for the wei
fare of the whole, and especially for their own,
it is necessary that the nuisance he abated. At
tention is getting fixed upon that great political
truth. The baleful political aspect Of tile sla0c
question stands out in the light. Discussion Of
it must take place, and must infaby end in
confirming, cnlightening, and guiding to prac-
teal issue, the sense Of its reality, and Of the
obligation to seek aremedy
! 50 that, as view the case, this is BY no
means geographical and sectional question, as
the gentleman from North Carolina understands
it, (page II y and as it is made to appear in the
resolutions Of Mr.. Calhoun, one great point Of
whose sagacty Is, to present different issues from
the true ones. The question is not at all be-
tween the North aud South, but between the ma
ny millions of u0n-sayehoIding Americans,
North, South, East, and West, and the very few
| hundreds of thousands of their fellow-ctizens
who hold slaves. 1t is time that thi, idea of a
geographical distinction Of parties, with relation
to this subject, was abandoned. 1t has no sub
stantial foundation Freedom, with its fair train
of boundless blessings for white and black
slavery, with its untold miseries for both--these
are the two parties in the field; and, as to their
relative power, the shareholders, if collected,
would be outnumbered by the populHaon of the
1 single city Of New York, while thu ne of the
other host is legion cannot theaGIore attach
any Importance to the hint which the gentleman
threw out towards the close of his remarks, OF
what g the South" might think it necessary to
do, if the anti-savery movement were too much
pressed, (page l6) On this point he spoke for
bearingly and in strain which contrasts most
agreeably with language to which these walls
have listened in some other times. have some.
thing to say upon the subject but do not feel
called upon to bring it forward till some further
occasion shall arise. will now only express my
deliberate and undoubting conviction, that the
time has quite gone by, when the friends Of
slavery might hope anything from an attempt to
move the South to dlsunon for its defence
When they raise that question seriously, their
non-slaveholding ncighbors--with their majority
of more than six votes to one even in that region
will settle it for them very quietly and elfectu
ally through the ballot boxes And it is altogeth
: er likely they will then go further yet, and say
C An evil which has all along annoyed, disgraced
and kept us down, and which now asks tor it;
support the overthrow Of our wise form of gov
: ernment is no more to be tolerated. Our inter
ests, our peace, our safety, demand its extirpa
ton" do not believe it is good policy for the
shareholders to let their neighbors hear them talk
of disunion Unless | read very stupidity the
i signs of the times, it will not be the Union they
will thus cndonger hut The interest which they would sacrifice
flhy insist that both together they may be ia
their workout is THE UNION THAT MUST STAND!