Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1848-12-08

would deliberately calculate the value OF the
Union. Future generations would look in
amazemont upon the folly Of such a course
Other nations at the present day would look up
on il with astonisbment and such Of them as
desire to maintain and perpetuate thrones, and
monarchica or aristocratical principles, will view
Il with exultation and delight, because in II they
will SEQ the elements of faction, which they hope
will ultimately overtum our system. Ours is
the great example Of n prosperous and free self.
governed republic, commanding the admiration
and the imitation Of all the lovers of freedom
throughout the world. How solemn, therefore,
is the duty how impressive the call upon us and
upon all parts of our country, TO cultivate pa
trotic spirit Of harmony, Of good fellowship, Of
compromise and mutual concession, in the adj
minisirulion Of the Incompatible system of gov
crnmcnt formed by our fathers in the midst Of
almost insuperable difficulties, and transmitted
10 US with the injunction that VIC should enjoy
It's blessings, and hand It down unimpaircd TO
those who may come after u.s.
In view Of the high and responsible duties
which We owe to ourselves aud to mankind,
trust you may able at your present session, 10
approach the adjustment Of the only domestic
question which seriously threatens, or probably
ever can threaten TO disturb the harmony aud
successful operation Of our system.
The immensely valuable possessions of New
Mexico and California are already inhabited by
great fertility their mineral wealth, their com
mercial advantages, and the salubrity Of the eli
mate, migrants from the older States, in great
r numbers, are already preparing to seek new
homes in these inviting regions.
Shall the dssimilarity Of the domestic nsiitu-
tons in the different States prevent Us from pro-
wiling for them a suitable government? These
institutions existed at the adoption Of the consti
tuition. but the obstacles which they interposcd
i ] Itst hat shirt Of
which is now invoked. In conflict Of opinions
or of interests, real or imaginary, between the
, different sections Of our country, neither can
Justly demand all which il might desire to OBJ
tain. Each, ia the true spirit of our institutions,
should concede something TO the other
0 Our gallant forces in the Mexican war, by
7 whose patriotism and unparalleled deeds Of arms
we obtained these possessions an indemnity
: for our Just demands against Mexico, were com
4 posed OF citizens who belonged TO no one State
= or section Of our Union. They were men from
6 slayeholding and non-slayeholding States from
y the North and the South, from the East aud the
I West. They were all companions in arms ard
o fellow citizens Of the same common country, en-
gagged in the same common cause. When pros
T. ecuting that war they were brethren and friend
+ and shared alike with each other, common tolls
# dangers and suiierings. Now, when their work
g is euded. when peace Is restored, and they re-
5 turn again to their homes, put of their habit.
J. ments Of war, ,rke their places in society, and
resume their pursuits in civil life, surely spirit
= Of harmony and concession, aud Of equal regard
= for the rights Of all and Of all sections Of the
!. Union ought TO prevail in providing govern.
mouts for the acquired ,erritories--the fruits Of
d their common service. The whole people of tho
n United States and Of every State contributed ID
l. deiray the expenses Of that war; and il would
/ not be Just for one section to exclude another
from all n the
y This would not be in consonnnee with the Just
l. system OF government which the trainers Of the
constitution adopted
! The question is believed to be rather abstract
a than political whether slavery ever can or would
o exist in any portion Of the acquired territory,
II even il ii were left to the option Of the slave.
q holding States themselves. From the nature Of
Y the climate and productions, in much the larger
II portion Of it, it IS certain that il never could ex
isi and in the remainder, the probabilities ar,
l. that it would not But however this may be
h. the question involving, as it does. principle o
n equality Of rights Of the separate and severa
a. States, as equal copartners in the confcdcracy
Of should not be disregarded.
4 In organizing governments over these Terrific
At ries, no duty imposed on Congress by the con
q. stituton requires that they should legslate Of
the subject OF slavery, while their power to d.
le so is not only seriously questioned, but denet
Of by many Of the toundest expounders of that in
I'd strument Whether Congress shall leeislaie O
r not, the people Of the acquired Territories wheI
" assembled in convention TO form State constitu
" tons. will possess the sole and exclusive powc
: TO determine for themselves whether slavery
II shall or shall not exist within their limits. /
ne Congress shall abstain from interfering with the
n. question: the people Of these Territories will be
l. left free 10 adjust it they may think proper
Il when they apply for admission as States into tho
of Union. No enactment Of Congress could restrain
t. the people of any Of the sovereign States Of the
i. Union, old or new, North or South, slayeholding
n. or nonslaveholding, from determining the char
m acier of their own domestic institutions as they
,c may deem wise and proper Any and all the
d States possess this right, and Congress csnno,
ID deprive them Of it. The people Of Georgi'
d might, il they chose, so alter their constitution
d as TO abolish slavery within lis limits and the
4 people of Vermont might so alter their consttu
&c ton to admit slavery within its limits. Boil
- States would possess the right though, as al
at know, il is not probable either would exert it.
lie 1t is fortunate for the peace and harmony o.
n the Union that this question is in its nature tenn
&c porary, and can only continue for the brief pc
v, Rod which will intervene before California ant
II New Mexico may be admitted as States into th'
IS Union. From the tide Of population now flow
re ing into them, it is highly probable that this vii
H. soon occur.
IL Considering the several States and the citi
III zens of the several States equals and entitled
L. to equal rights under the constitution, Il thi
Of were original question: il might well be insist
ed on that the principle of non-interierence i
~ the true doctrine, and that Congress could not
c. in the absence Of an express grant Of power, in
G. terfere with their relative rights Upon grea
N emergency, however, and under menacing dan
IL gers to the Union, the Missouri compromise lin,
ID in respect TO slavery was adopted The SAINT
line was extended further west in the acquisition
at Of Texas. After an acquiescence of nearl-
ID thirty years in the principle of compromise rec
IS, ognized and established by these acts, and L
C. avoid the danger to the Union which might fol
ar low II it were now dsregarded, / have hereto
IN fore expressed the opinion that the line of com
III promise should be extended on the parallel o
or thirtysix degrees thirty minutes from the west
ern boundary of Texas, where it now terminates
of 10 the Pacific ocean. This is the middle croun,
vt Of compromise, upon which the different sec
It. tons Of the Union may meet, as they have here
no toiore met Ii this be DONE il is confidently be
he lieved large majority of the people of ever,
10 section of the country, however widely thei
Is abstract opinions on the subject of slavery ma,
differ, would eheerfully and patriolicay acqui
n esce in It, and peace and harmony would agar