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

lead to consequences unparalleled in histo,
ry. They cannot be separated, and cannot
live together in peace and harmony, or to-
their mutual advantage, except in their pres
ent relation Under any other, wretched-
ness, and misery, and desolation would over
spread the whole South The circumstan-
ces under which it would take place with
us would be entirely different from those
winch TOOK place with them, and calculated
to lead to lar more disastrous results. There
the government VI the parent country eman-
clpated slaves in her colonial possession-a
government rich and powerful and actuated
by views OF policy, mistaken as they turned
out to be, rather than fanaticism. 1t was
besides disposed to act justly towards the
owners, even in the act of epancipating
their slaves; and to protect and foster them
afterwards. 1t accordingly appropriated
nearly 500, 600 600 as a compensation to
them for their losses under the act, which
sum, although it turned out TO be far short
OF the amount, was thought at that time to
be liberal. Since the emancipation, it has
kept up sufficient military and naval force
to keep the blacks in awe, and a number of
magistrates, and constables, and other civil
officers, to keep order in the towns and plan
tations, and enforce respect to their former
owners. To considerable extent, these
have served as substitute for the police
formerly kept on the plantation by the own.
ers and their overseers, and to preserve the
social and political superiority of .the white
race. But, notwithstanding all this, the
British West India possessions are ruined,
impoverished, miserable, wretched, and des-
tined probably to be abandoned to the black
race. Very different would be the crcum-
stances under which emancipation would
take place with us. If it ever should be
effected, it will be through the agency of
the federal government, controlled by the
dominant power of the Northern States of
the confederacy, against the resistance and
struggle of the Southern.
1t can then only be effected by the pros
tration of the white race; and that would
necessarily engender the bitterest feelings
of hostility between them and the North.
But the reverse would be the case between
the blacks Of the South and the people of
the North Owing their emancipation to
them, they would regard them as friends,
guardians, and patrons, and centre accord
ingly all their sympathy in them. The peo-
pie of the North would not fail to recpro-
cate and to favor them, instead of the whites
Under the influence of such feelings, and
mpelled by fanatlcism and love of power,
they would not stop at emancipation. An
other step would be taken--to raise them to
a political and social equality with their
former owners, by giving them the right of
voting and holding public offices under the
federal government We see the first step
toward it in the bill already alluded TOTO
vest the free blacks and slaves with the right
to vote on the question of emancipation in
this District. But when once raised to an
equality, they would become the fast politi-
cal associates of the North, acting and vo-
ting with them on all questions, and by this
political union between them, holding the
white race at the south in complete subjec-
ton The blacks and the prohigate whites
that might unite with them, would become
the principal recipients of federal offices
and patronage, and would, in consequence,
be raised above the whites of the South in
| the political and social scale. We would,
in word, change conditions with them--a
degradation greater than has ever yet fallen
to the lot of free and enlightened people,
, and one from which we could not escape,
should emancipation take place, (Which it
, certainly will if not prevented but by flee
ing the homes of ourselves and ancestors,
/ and by abandoning our country to our form
er slaves, to become the abode of disorder,
| anarchy poverty, misery, and wretchedness.
: With such prospect before us, the grav-
5 est and most solemn question that ever claim
ed the attention of people is presented tor
your consideration. What is to be done to
, prevent it 1t is question belonging to
I you to decide All we propose is, to give
you our opinion.
We, then, are of the opinion that the
t first and indispensable step, without which
nothing can be done, and with which every
, thing may be, is to be united among your
, selves on this great and most vital question.
The want of union aud concert in reference
to it, has brought the South the Union, aud
, our system of government to their present
perilous condition. Instead Of placing it
, above all others. it has been made subordln-
, ate, not only to mere questions OF policy,out
; to the preservation OF party ties and insur.
ing of party success. AS high as we hold
due respect for these, we hold them sub
ordinate to that and other questions nvolv-
5 ing our safety and happiness. Until they
are so held by the South, the North will not
believe that you are in earnest in opposition
o to their encroachments, ana they VIII con-
!. tnue to follow, one after another, until the
:. work of abolition is finished. To convince
' them that you are, you must prove by your
2 acts that you hold all other questions SUBJ
If ordinate to it.
e II you become united, and prove your
n selves in earnest, the North will be bro't
l. to pause, and to a calculation OF con-
), sequences and that may lead to a
i change of measures, and the adoption OF
! course of policy that may quietly and
. peaceably terminate this long conillct
> between the two sections. II It should
e not, nothing would remain for you but
}, to stand up immovably in defence OF
n rights, involving your all--your proper.
d ~, prosperity, equality, liberty, and
; safety.
i AS the assailed, you would stand JUS
!, tilted by all laws, human and divine, IN
" repelling blow so dangerous, without
o looking to consequences, and TO resort
Il TO all means necessary for that purpose
r Your ASSISTANTS, and not you, would DC