Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1849-02-01
MR.. BERRTEN's ADDRESS.

iSI0s DGkSRlEIN' . Address,.
The Philadelphia Pennsylvania gives what
purpors to be an abstract of the address prepar-
ed by Mr. I}errIen as an amendment to the South
ern address prepared by Mr. Calhoun. That
this address was originally sustained in the
Committee appointed to prepare such paper
and was finally rejected by a small vote com
prisng little more than third of the Southern
votes in Congress, shows that much better
spirit exists upon this subject than most people
have been in the haoit of believing. 1t is tenn
perae appeal for Cancellation to the people of the
UniOn not an Indictment to resistance or reyolu-
ton addressed to the South.-Boston .Adv.
The following is the summary alluded to
1t commences with Il recapituation of the cir
cumstances attending the formation and adop-
ton of the Constitution, its compromises, &c.
and the fact is stated that its preservation is
considered of vital importance by both the North
and the South.
1t declares that the members of the Convention,
as citizens, and not in their representative capa-
city, here at Washington assembled, where they
have the opportunity of observing events, cannot
shut their eyes to the fact that an alarming state
of things exists, and feel themselves mpelled
to make this address to the people of the Union.
The address then goes on to speak of the eff
fects OF the slave agitation upon the Southern
people whose interests are so directly involved
and in that connection commences history of
nearly in the words Of the address prepared by
MIR Calhoun.
This history begins with the Missouri com
promise, and dwells particularly on what the
South deems a virtual notification of the Con
stIutlon in the matter of the recovery Of runaway
slaves.
1t recapitulates all the recent movements il
the House of Representatives, in connection witt
Slavery.
1t abstains from all offensive charges as TO the
motives Of Northern men IN voting for their va
rious propositions, and which, in the address q.
prepared by Mr. Calhoun, were understood t,
have tor their object the emancipation Of slaves
IN the States.
But as one of these propositions (Mr. Cots
assumes that slavery is sin, disgrace, at wa
with the spirit of our institutions. &c. the an
prehension ID expressed that, should slavery b,
excluded from all the new Territories, and new
Free States be formed, the number of anti
slavery thus added to those of the present Free
States, when created, in all probability will abol
ish Slavery in a few years--will constitute
number ("three iourths") sufficient to alter tn
Constitution, so as to give to Congress the powe
which 1t does not now possess.
Regarding this in the light of Mr.. Colts resc
luton, it is feared, and so expressed in the ad
dress, that the representatives of those State
will feel themselves bound to exercise this DO W
er, and alter the constitution.
All objections raised in the Convention o
Monday evening, it has been the object of Nj
Berrlen 10 obviate. Among these was that rais
ed by Mr. Toombs, TO the doctrine of Mr. Ca
houn, that Congress had no right TO legisate,
an way, for any purpose, in regard to slavery.
Mr. roombs coDtended that the action of Coz
gress IS essential to the introduction aud prote
tlon OF Slavery in the Territories, inasmuch
u does not exist by the present laws while n
Caiho1ns Address expressly denied any autho
liy OF Congress to leglsate at all on the subjee
AS modified the Address expresses no opinic
whatever on this subject, merely alluding 10 Iii
difference of opinion, and expressing the hol
that measures will be devised by CONGRESS.
regard TO the District of Columbia, to remove q
causes for future agitation Of the question
slavery therein.
The address concludes with an earnest n
peal to the patriotism of the people of ali Sc
uons OF the country, to exercise all the MOI
influence they may have upon public senime
TO DO full justice to every portion OF the Uni
ana 10 prevent the contamination of measur
winch II is thought will result so disastrous
IL urges them farther, to abandon all party
sectional considerations, and to turn their attic
ZION 10 the adjustment of this question in su
manner as will secure the peace of the count
and the perpetuity OF the Union.