Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1848-05-04

L
to introduce, tho provisions arc almost Identical
with the law which has been in existence in ma
ny of the States, and is now On the statute BOOK
of Maryland. To its enactment here exception
has been taken, and | am quito wiling mat the
country should know the grounds on winch OPP
position is made. If the subject be painful, 1t
has not been made so by me- AS to the threats
which have been made of bloodshed and assas-
snaton, can only say that there have been sac
rihces already, and there may be other victims,
until the minds of all shall be awakened to the
conviction that the Constitution was made as well
for the preservation of the freedom OF discussion
as for tie protection of the save-owner.
Mr.. WEsrcorr.--I should like to know Of the
Senator from, New Hampshire it he can say, that
any non-slavcholding State in this Union has
passed law by which, in case Of the abduction
of slave by mob, the county or town is to be
made responsible for the act.
Mr.. HAIL. do not know, sir.
Mr.. WEsTcuTr. 1T is time enough then when
such law is passed to protect tho property of
slave owners, to talk of law to indemnify for
the destruction Of property Of abolition inccndi
aries.
Mr.. FoorE.-Tbe Senator seems to suppose
that | wished 70 dccoy him to the State of Mis-
sssippi. have attempted no such thing. ]
have thought of no such thing. | have openly
challenged him to pre-ent himself there or any
where, uttering such language and breathing
such an ncendlary spirit as he has manifested
in this body, and have said that Just punish
nent would be inflicted upon him for his enor-
nous criminaity. ! have said farther, that if
necessary, would aid in the infection Of the
punishment My opinion is, that enlightened
men would sanction that punishment. But, says
the Senator, that would be assassination
think not. am sure that the Senator is an en-.
cmyto the constitution Of his country-an en-
omy Of one Of the institutions of his country
which is solemny guaranteed by the organic
law of the land land in so far he is a lawless
person. | am sure If he would 90 to the State
OF Mississippi or any other slave State of this
conlederacy and utter such language, he would
justly be regarded as an lncendiary in heart and
fact and as such, guilty of the attempt to involve
the South IN boodshed, violence and desolation
and ii the arm OF the law happened to be too
Ishort, or the spirit OF the law to be slumberous
| have declared that the duty of the people
whose lights were thus put in danger would be-
TO inlet summary punishment upon the offender
But, says the Senator, victims have been made
and there are other victims ready am sure
that he could not persuade me that he would
ever be victim. | have never dep!ored the
death OF such victims and never shall depore
1t. Such oiiicious intermcddng deserved its
late believe no good man who is not a ma
MAC, as the Senator from New Hampshire is ap-
pretended TO be, can have any sympathy fer
those who lawlessy interfere with the rights of
others. He, however, will never be a victim,
lie is one of those guety disclaimers "a windy
speaker-a -
MIR. CRlTrENDEN.--l If the gentleman will al
low me, rise 10 question of order. Gentle.
men have evidently become excited, and hear
on all sides language that is not becoming.
call the gentleman to order Tor his personal ret
erence 10 the Senator from New Hampshire.
Mr. FoorE.-l only sand in reply to the re-
marks OF the Senator from New liampshire--
Mr. CEITTENDEN. did not hear what the
Senator rom New Hampshire said, but the allu-
sion OF the gentleman from Mississippi consider
TO be contrary 10 the rules OF the Senate
Mr. FooTE.-l am aware Of that; but such
scene has never occurred in the Sanate-such
deadly assaiment OF the rights Of the country.
Mr. JOHNSON Of Nd Has the Chair decided !?
Mr. FooTE.- Let my words be taken down.
The PRESIDING OFFIcER.--In the opinion OF
The Char, the gentleman from Mississippi is not
i'll order.
Mr.. FoorE.- What portion of my remarks is
not in order?
TnE PRESIDING OFrIcER.-The gentleman
Is aware that the question of order is not doba-
table.
Mr. WEscoTT.-I ask whether the words OBJ
jected to are not, according to the rule, to be re-
duced 70 writing?
Mr. Fo0TE.-I pass ii over. But the Senator
from New Hampshire has said, tina; if would
visit that State, | would be treated to an argu-
ment. Why, ! would not argue with him !!
What right have they Of New Hampshire to
argue upon the point? 1t is not matter with
which they stand the least connected They
have no rights Of property Of this description,
and rejoice to be able to say, that large pro-
portion of the intelligent and patriotic people OF
4 New Hampshire do not concur in the views ex-
pressed by the Senator this morning. They take
the ground that the people of the United States,
the Constitution and the Union, have guaranteed
the rights of the South, connected with this
property, aud that the people OF New Hampshire
| have no right at all TO NEEDLE with the subject
Why, is it not fact, that gentlemen, members of
this body, among them the distinguished Senator
from Massachusetts, whom | regret not to see
in his place, are known to be more or less hos
tile TO the institutions Of domestic slavery, but
have never entertained the doctrine, that the
Congress of the United States, has any juris-
dlctlon whatever, over the subject? They have
| held that any attempt directly or indirectly to
effect abolition or to encourage abolition by Con-
gressional legislation, is at war with the spirit
and letter Of the Constitution.
Mr. IALE.-WlIl the Senator allow me to in
qulre If he can point out single instance, in
which have made any aggression upon the
rights of property in the South?
Mr. FooTE.--That is the very thing am a.
bout to show. When the Senator from New
Hampshire undertakesto assert that those North
ern men who do not concur with him are era
vens," he uses language of false and scurrous
import. 1t is not the fact that his language will
be reechoed in any respectable neighborhood in
New England. His sentiments will find no re-
sponsc or approval in any enlightened vicinoge
IN New England, and therefore, he has no right
to say that those who are faithful to the princ-
pies Of the constitution and fail to reecho the
fierce, fanallcal, aud iactous declarations of the
Senator, are "crayens" in heart, and deficient in
any Of the noble sentiments which characterize
high spirited republicans
Nh HALE.-I did not use such language.
Mr.. FooTE.-Dld the Senator not use the
word craven? 2"
Mr.. HALE.-If the Senator will allow me,
f will inform him that when the Senator from S.
Carolina remarked that he supposed it was tho't
that the South had lost all feeling, | replied by
asking If 1t was supposed that the North had no
sensiblty-that we had bowed our faces TO the
+ earth with our backs to the sun, and submitted
10 the lash SO long that we dare not look up?
/ Mr.. FooTE.-The declarations OF the Senator
| .