Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1848-09-14
To The Freemen Of Vermont

M Holding myself respo"''o'S w ~ WIZ
hucncv Tor my official conduct, | deem
svnIan,,iop Of my course on a recent
o.s;o; due both to that constituency
~ mv.sc Much excitement seems to
we acquired in relation to the bill for
establishment Of Government in the
,wIy acquired territory; Commonly call
the "Compromise bll,") reported by
e Select Committee Of the Senate, Of
hich Committee was member; and
me structures, not very favorable, have
ben made in the public prints upon my
Pnnexion with that measure. | have
over doubted that could vindicate my
|nduct, in the judgment Of all intel
rent and impartial men, My reasons
concurrlng in that bill in the Com
ittee, and sustaining i, in the Senate
= ere fully given on the floor of the Sen
E, bu, unfortunately my remarks were
imperlectly g. inaccura'ely reported TO
. public, as to give no Ineligible rep
Ben,alion of my views. Circumstances
We delayed their publication in more
thentic and satisfactory form: but they
II be laid before the public in very
in days, as published under my inspcc-
n.
In the mean time. | avail my self Of the
Flest lecture after being released from
most arduous and latlguing session, to
suspension of opinion until the
# bunds of my action can he understood.
'| the Same tmo, i, will not he improP,
TO correct the very great misepprehen'
n n which has prevailed in relation to
| 1t measure. The bill was in the out.
grossly misrepresented, and, ofcourse,
Pssly misunderstood; and, TO very
at extent, was condemned before its
port and effect were known.
voted for that bill with a settled con.
ion, that its effect would be the utter
! absolute exclusion of Slavery from all
Sc territories. The sincerity Of that
pviction, and of my purpose to effect
exclusion, l venture to say, no mem
Of the Senate, of any party, doubts
ct such would have been the effect Of
bill, had it become law. 50 far as
legislation of Congress can effect that
ect, maintain now. And | do so by
purse of argument used in vindlcation
nv course before the Senate, which no
nber of that body Senlured to contro-
Its sounaness was admitted by po-
bal friends and political opponents, by
be who advocated and those who op-
ed the bill An epitome will be CIV
The bill, although long one, con-
ed but two illusions to the sub ect OF
very The first was prohibition TO
territorial legislature to lass any law
he subject. The second gave an APP
from the territorial Judiciary, 10 the
breme Cour, OF the United States, in
eases where question Of Slavery was
oduced. The Objectionable features
he bill, if they exist at all, mus, be
nd in one or both of the provisions.
lavery (by which l mean African slav.
was abolished n all the territories Of
xico.
81. BY decree OF Guerrero, While
tator, in the year 1929. This was
c in the course Of revolution, and
hit perhaps be considered abroga,ed by
bunter revolution.
dly. BY the constitution Of 1884,
dIy. BY u decree of The Mexican Con.
Bs Of the 5th Of April, 1887. This de-
has been obtained from the Depart.
i OF State, and has been published in
various newspapers Of the country. 1t
BIT deemed necessary to repeat it here,
thly. The Mexican Government was
I'D by a treaty with Great Britain, not
low Slavery in any of the territories
he Republic; which Of course prohlb.
Is restoration.
nch was the law of New Mexico and
ifurnia when the cessIon to the United
,es took place. BY the law of nations
of the civilized world, the laws Of Il
puered or coded territory, so far a, all
his as they relate to rights OF properly
private rights, remain in force until
erseded by the legislation ct the &C
Finc mower, in other words, TIL 'ha'
or enacts new laws. If authority Is
handed for this position, ii may BIT
nd in the late decision of the Supreme
irt of the United States, in the case o
nderson VS.. Poindexter, 10Th Peters
ITS.
he decree Of The Mexican Congress o
9Th April, 1887, was therefore in force
N the bill of the Committee was report
the Senate, and is in farce yt.-
at then did the Committees Bill pro
=? 1t did not propose to repeal TIT
law of those provinces, but, on TIT
lrary, prohibited the local Legislature
n changing it. This prohibition orig
ed with me. Iwas first 10 suggest ii
/ did so with Uiew to pnpeiuate III
ting lao Of those provinces ,chich pro
Slavery. Little did imagine, a
moment, that was exposing myse
he charge Of misrepresenting my con
lency or advocating the extension
very.
sut there is another principle whc
be noticed here. Slavery is ii loci
tuition, existing only BY positive law
aBnot be transferred to a jurlsdIctio
IRE no such law exists. The const
nee is that slave taken by bis maste
Free State becomes free. I'll
9 would be the same with fueiti'