Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1849-02-15


tai subversion of the end for which it was
estabished-t be the common protector
and guardian of ALL Entertaining these
opinions, we ask not, as the North alledges
we do, for the extension of slavery. That
would make discrimination in our favor
as unjust and unconstitutional as the dis
elimination they ask against us in their IA
vor
1t is not for them nor the federal govern
ment to determine whether our domestic in
slitution is good or bad or whether it
, should be repressed or preserved 1t be-
longs to us, and us only, to decide such
questions. What then we do insist on, is,
not to extend slavery, but that we shall not
| be prohibited from immigrating, with our
property, into the Territories of the United
States. because we are shareholders; or, in
other words, that we shall not on that ac-
count be DISTINGUISHED of a privilege pos
, sessed by all others, citizens and foreigners,
without discrimination as to character, pro-
fesson, or color All, whether savage, bar
barian, or civilized, may freely enter and
remain, we only being excluded.
We rest our claim, not only on the high
grounds above stated, but also on the solid
foundation of right, justice and equality
The territories Immediately in controversy
!. New Mexico and Californiu--were ac-
quired by the common sacrifice and efforts
Of all the States, towards which the South
contributed far more than her full share of
men II to say nothing of money, and is of
course, on every principle of right, justice,
fairness, aad equality, entitled to participate
fully in the benefits to be derived from their
acquisition.
+ Bat as impregnable as is this ground,
there is another not less so. Ours is fed
eral governmental government in which,
not individuals but States, as distinct sove-
reign communities, are the constituents
To them, as members of the federal Union,
the territories belong; and they are hence
declared to be territories belonging to the
United States The States, then, are joint
owners. Now, it is conceded by all writers
on the subject, that in all such governments
their members all equal-equal in rights
and equal in dignity.
They also concede that this equality con-
stitutes the basis of such government, and
that it cannot be destroyed without chang
ing their nature and character. To deprive,
then the Southern States and their cit
liens of their full share in territories de-
clarcd to belong to them, in common with
the other States, would be in derogation
OF the equality belonging to them as mem
bers of the federal Union, and sink them,
from being equals, into a subordinate and
dependent condition. Such are the solid
and impregnable grounds on which we rest
our demand to an equal participation in the
territories.
But as solid and impregnable as they are in
the eyes of justice and reason, they oppose
feeble resistance to a majority determined
to engross the whole. AT the last session
= of Congress, bill was passed establishing
territorial government for Oregon, eXclud-
ing slavery theretrom. The President gave
+ his sanction to the BILL and sent special
message to Congress assigning his reasons
for doing so.
These reasons prc-supposed that the Mis-
souri, compromise was to be, and would be,
: extended west of the Rocky Mountains to
the Pacific ocean. And the President nti-
, mated his intention in his message to veto
: any future bill that should restrict slavery
: south Of the line of that compromise. As
. sumng it to have been the purpose and in
| tention of the North to extend the Missouri
; compromise line as above indicated, the pas
sage of the Oregon bill could only be re-
garded as evincing the acquiescence Of the
; South in that line
: But the developments of the present ses-
: sion of Congress have made it manifest to
: all, that no such purpose or intention now
, exists with the North, to any considerable
7 extent. OF the truth of this, we have am
! pie evidence in what has occurred already
l in the House of Representatives, where the
popular feelings are soonest and most in
tensey felt.
' Although Congress has been in session
I but little more than one month, a greater
2 number of measures of an aggressive char
l acter have been introduced, and they more
aggravated and dangerous, than have been
r for years before. And what clearly dlsco-
i ses whence they take their origin, is the fact
that they all relate to the territorial aspect
e OF the subject of slavery, or some other OF
d a nature and character intimately connected
h with it.
n The first of this series of aggressions is
c a resolution introduced by member from
/ Massachusetts, the object of which is TO re-
peal all acts or parts of acts which recognize
+ the existence of slavery, or authorize the
c selling aud disposing of slaves, in this Dis
",Ct' Oh question OF leave 10 Drlng IN
s. bill, the votes stood 50 for and 81 against
i leave. The next was a resolution offered
Is by member from Ohio, nstructing the
" Committee on Territories to report bills
E, forthwith for excluding slavery from Calfor.
"a MA and New MexicoH 1t passed by a vote
oi OF l07 to 80. That was followed by bill
J. introduced by another member from Ohio
D. to take the votes of the inhabitants of this
D. District on the question whether slavery
u within its limits should be abolished.
4 The bill provided, according to the adj
lie mission of the mover, that free negroes and
lr slaves should vote. On the question to lay
& the bill on the table, the votes stood-for
n LOG; against, 20. TO this succeeded tn,
re resolution of member from New York, in
NJ the following words:
i "Whereas the traffic now prosecuted il
es this metropolis of the Republic, in human
is beings, as chattels, is contrary to natura
m justice and the Fundamental! principles o
,e our potice. system, and is VIGOROUSLY re
proach to our country, throughout Chris
10 tendon, and serious hindrance to the pro