Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1849-10-18

would appear perhaps all the of the civilized world
merely for Vermont reeae what she has
often and so emphacaly declared her unreenng hostility
to the bondage of human beings But is ft-nay more
is duty-as State, and People, to make every
leading public occasion commemorative of sentiment
and purpose in respect of this highest national crime
In relation Slavery within the States that compose the
Union sufces remark that this State having entered
the Conlederacy under federal constitution that by COM
promises guaranteed the States in which Slavery then
existed the continuance of such dominion their black
population as to the shame of humanity maintained at
periodand having continued in the confederacy on
the same terms, until now-she not, perhaps, justly
assa the instutonSas in those States, by any other
than the moral agencies which calculated, persua-
sives to work desirable changes the opinions of men,
But to the utmost possible extent in the employment of
such agencies are think justified and to my view,
it is worse than political blunder in felow-ctzens of
the Slave States to attempt shut out from themselves by
statutes resolutions and paper bunngs, the light of that
truth which WILL in due tme penetrate all minds, and ami
mate all with the love of pure freedom. The anti
slavery spirit of the people of this great nation will not
slumber aer. Against all opposition the part of
Shareholders the great work of enghtening the general
mind in Slave-hodng States goes steadily forward and if
they that labor therein do forget that great physical
changes in the condition of mankind the results of
agencies directed by One than they and shall not
mpiously attempt to oresa His desgns-the freedom of
the Slaves in these States will be attained and that just
when and in what manner it is best it should be.
The continued existence of slavery and of its traffic, in
the District of Columbia, is anomaly. That small ma
tona domain having been made up by cessions from slave
saes is objected the abolition of slavery therein that
whatever rights of legislation government and police the
Federal Government acquired by the acts of session, mdl-
vdua rights of property not thereby changed or rem
dcred changeabe but that the citizens of the territory con-
veyed continued to have the right to purchase and hold
slaves under the federal jurisdiction, under their former
respective governments. The conclusion drawn by
those who maintain the objection is, that Congress has
constitutional power to abolish slavery in the District
without the of the of the slaves While the
question has been much considered and many able
taken an opposite of the CASE and while, in relation
to this some difficulties exist nsuperabe, yet embaas-
sngt enough for to say that the people of this state
cannot concede slavery any federal territory power
superior that of the Federal Government be made to
believe that there way by which this foul blot upon
insist that it should be. They have no doubt that if Con
grcss will do in this behalf what may the flag of the
Unon-emblem of Iiberty-would not longer throw its
graceful folds from the capitol the slave pen and its
contents of unmgated misery.
The imminent question of this time touching the peace
of the Unon is that of the extension of slavery. Under
circumstances peculiar to have impressed the event
very deeply in the public mind Congress failed establish
territorial governments for New Mexico and California.
The inhabitants of these territories have, therefore, been
constrained regulate their civil affairs they best could
under the laws of the country existing when acqr-
ed far those laws have been affected by the
else of military jurisdiction maintained by the Executive
of the United States 1t is easy define the OF
the under which the people Of those lands have
lived but it apparent that they abandoned by the
power that owed them protection Being thus RENTED
their natural ndefeasbe ghts-rghts recognized by our
Declaration of which the founders OF
the organic law of State emphacally asserted
the inhabitants of these territories have instituted proceed
ings towards the formation of State government for each
and therein made such progress that i'll much probability
of them, if not both, will be found with State Con
stution in hand knocking the door, during the next
sion of Congress, for admission into the Union These
constitutions may contain provisions excluding slavery from
the soil they cover they may be silent upon subject
With respect to that which the people of California shall
present. there is little for doubt that it will bear ex
press terms of exclusion. New Mexico being in create
proximity the slave States and having, represen
ted portion of its land suited to slave abor-t may
apprehended that her organic law will leave the subject