Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1849-05-31
SENATOR BENTON AND CAL
HOUN.

on the 18th instant, passed resolutions affr-
ming the recent Virginia resolutions, and
appointing committee of vigilance and
safety, TO see that other States pay proper
attention to the emergency" The views
of the convention are sufficiently shown by
the following, which was the leading reso-
luton -
ReSolUcd, That full and deliberate ex-
animation of the whole subject, has forced
deep conviction on the Delegates of the
Committees of Safety here assembled, from
the several Districts and Parishes in the
State, that alarming and imminent Peril is
hanging over the Institutions and sovereign
rights of the slaveholding States, caused by
unconstitutional and mischievous interior
ence with our domestic slavery and the
rights of shareholders on the part of the
people of the North, their Legislatures
Courts and Representatives in Congress,
and by Withholding from them the aids and
remedies guaranteed by the Constitution
That arguments aud appeals TO cease and
abstain from this course of unprovoked
wrong and insult, have been exhausted in
unavalling efforts, which have only been fol-
lowed by repetitions of injury and agrees
slons more alarming, persevered in with an
appearance OF concert and determination,
which leaves to us no alternative but AFFECT
and humillating submission, or like con-
cert and determination in maintaining our
constitutional rights and in defending our
property and persons thus wantonly put in
danger. That South Carolina should stand
prepared, as she now is. to enter into coun-
Gil, aud to take that firm, united and con-
fnI 49,, & 4
South Western States in this emergency,
which the preservation of their common
honor, sovereignty aud constitutional privie-
ges demands aud to maintain them at cv-
cry hazard, and to the last extremity-and
that, in view of this alarming condition of
public affairs, Central State Committee of
Vigilance and Safety, to consist of Five
members, be now raised by ballot, to cor
respond with other Committees and persons
in this and other States with view to such
concerted and united measures as may be
expedent in any emergency that may arise.
The following is the letter of COL Ben
ton:
To the People of lMissouri-The General
Assembly of our State, at its last session,
adopted certain resolutions on the subject
of slavery, and gave me instructions to obey
them. From this command l appeal to the
people of Missouri-the whole body of the
people-and if they confirm the instruction,
shall give them an opportunity to fluid
Senator to carry their will into effect, as |
cannot do anything to dissolve this Union,
or array one half of it against the other.
do not admit dissolution of the Union
to be a remedy, to be prescribed by states
men, for the diseases of the body polite,
any more than l admit death, or suicide, to
be remedy, to be prescribed by physicians
for the diseases of the natural body. Cure,
and not Kill, Is the only remedy which my
mind can contemplate IN either case
think it probable, from what observe,
that there are many citzens-good friends
to harmony and stability of this Union
who do not see the Missouri instructions
and their prototype, the Calhoun address, in
the same light see it, and in the light in
which it is seen by others who best under
stand it, For the information of such citi-
zens, and to let them see the next step in
this movement, and where it is intended
to go, herewith subjoin copy of the Ac-
comac resolutions, lately adopted in that
county in Virginia, and fully endorsed by
the Richmond Enquirer, as the voice ofthe
South. l do not produce these resolutions
for the purpose of arraigning them; on the
contrary | see something in them to admire,
as being bold, open, and to the true inter-
probation and legitimate sequence of the
Calhoun movement | consider the CAL
houn address, and its offspring, the Mis-
souri, instructions, as fundamentally wrong /;
but to those who think them right, the Ac-
comac resolutions are also right and should
be Immediately initiated by similar resou-
tions in Missouri. produce them to en-
able the people of Missouri to see what it is
to which their Legislature would commit
the State, and what it is they have instruc-
ted me to do.
l appeal from these instructions to the
people of Mssouri-the whole body of the
people-and in due time will give my rea-
SONS for doing so. 1t is "a question above
party, and goes TO the whole people. In
that point of view the Accomac resolutions
present it--and present it truly; and shall
do the same. i shall abide the decision
of the whole people, and nothing else.
Respectfully,
THOMAS BENTON.
ST. Louis, May o, lS49.
The ST. Louis Republican, in publishing
the letter of Mr.. Benton, supports, in the
main, its doctrine. Itsays -
We are for the Union as it is, and scout
the idea that because we cannot be permit
ted to introduce few slaves into New Mex
leo and California, the glorious fabric of a
Republic, reared at so much cost, should
be dissolved and destroyed. Whenever
such catastrophe shall be pressed upon us
whenever the South shall desire to sepa-
rate from the North and the East-we trust
that the free men of the Great West, who
have now grown to mans estate, will be
found ready TO inquire into the reasons and
the causes which may be advanced for the
adoption Of so disastrous revolution and
if they are such as cannot be reconciled
with sense of justice or of constitutional
right, that they will stop the execution o
the unhallowed purpose at every hazard
Fortunately for the existence and perpetui
~ of the Union, the West stands in re
latlon TO the other States Of the Union
which. will justify Her in deciding between
them and we feel satisfied now that sh,