Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1850-02-14
VOL. NLlV' NO. l4.---WHOLE NO. 226l.

permitted by that compromise to exist. 81
far as this species Of property had found it,
way into the territories, so far it was re
cognlsed and protected by this comprom
Use; but, sir, by that same compromise il
was excluded north of 36 deg. 81 N. Sir
was this an encroachmenti Why, sir, il
was 4 compromise in its terms and CON-
promise in fact; and will gentlemen assert
that compromise assen;ed to on all sides is
to be called an encroachmeut upon the
rights Of either partyl If compromise Of
this description is To- be converted into an
90 encroachment," | confess know not what
meaning TO attach to the expression. The
next step, sir, was the introduction of Flor
ida, where slavery was permitted to exist.
W as that an encroachGent Texas follow
ed 1t was permitted there, too. Oregon
followed, and there it was excluded, with
the concurrence of Southern members, with
the appreciation OF Southern President
and it was excluded from conviction that,
law or no law, the institution never could
find Its way into that territory. Sir. think
no man will indulge the slightest suspicion
that slavery was either desirable in Oregon,
or that, if it was permitted to find its own
way, 1t would ever find foothold there
Sir, was this an encroachment Was this
tramplng on the rights of the South? Sir,
do not understand the meaning of such
terms
Then came New Mexico and California.
What is the encroachment with respect to
them They have seen fit to abolish the
Institution, and they come to us with pro-
hibItIon in their fundamental law. Now,
Sir, if we Of the North let these people a.
lone and leave them where their own legis-
lation has seen fit to place them, we eau
hardly be taxed with encroachng Oh the
rights Of the South.
Sir, if the reverse prove true, If the pow
er of this Country, once exerled to conquer
these territories, is TO be exerted again for
the purpose OF planting amongst them an
Institution which they repudiate, tina; would
be case calling for the most plain and pal
Faoie application ofthe term ENFORCEMENT
Sir, more egregious ENFORCEMENT on tie
rights and Liberties Of any people cannot
wei be imagined than to attempt to impose
upon them an institution offensive to them
an institution which they have in their
fundamental law rejected.
Sir, tins Is Il species of cncroachment
that protest against. have listened to
many Lomllies about the innate rights and
the uallenabIe rights of men, but have
Just learned for the first time, if | UNDER
stand Alright some of the logic we have lis
tened to, that these territories are indepen-
dent Of Us; we own the land but we have
no right to control the people. If it be SO,
think We are relieved from all responsible
lty on this subject, if we choose to leave
them what they have made themselves,
free people. and not impose upon thAHn -.
perhaps say, had rejected with horror
Well, sir, there is another complaint
which deem it my duty to notice. 1t is
said that we have refused to aid in the re-
capture of fugitires. Sir, is this a viola
/ ton of the constitution | believe it has
been settled by the Supreme Court that the
| free states are under no obligation at all to
aid by their state legislation in carving out
this provision OF the constitution. If, then,
the Constitution does not require them to do
1t, how can they be guilty OF a violation of
the constitution if they refuse to volunteer
their aid Ii becomes, therefore, a matter
of courtesy between the states 1.-THE con-
stitutlon requires II, and they do not COM
ply with its acquisitions, they are guilty of a
violation of that instrument FIT does not
require ii, how can they be in fault for not
dlscharglng a duty which is not imposed
upon theml am aware, Mr. President.
that the complaint goes further |, is said
not only that the free states have refused
their AID, but that they have enacted laws
with view Of defeating this provision of
the constitution. Sir, if any laws exist in
the legislation of the free states which are
designed or calculated to defeat this provis-
ion, those laws are clearly unconstitutional
That is proposition which may be termed
a truism. 1t is not my purpose to defend a.
ny such legislation. leave the authors Of
such LAWS, if such laws exist, to their own
vindication. can assent to nothing inten-
ded to VOL itc this instrument, so long as
we profess 10 adhere TO it and be governed
BY 1t.
Another cause of great complaint is the exs-
tence of these Incendlary publications. Well,
Mr.. President it il the misfortune Of our coun-
try that We have ali a ntle taste for the pro
g5ess Of the age )" we are all liltle ambitious
TO 20 ahead, and the country is afflicted with
Sf~ln;fHry
assumption that GO1 IN his providence created
all things wrong, and thai il belongs the pro-
gress OF the aye" in which We live 10 make all
things right. Thus, sir, the Institution of slave
nv Is assaIlcd-the Constitution itself Is assocla-
ted Why, sir, have had two or three copies
Of paper sent me recently IN which there Is
form OF petition To Congress to abrognie the
constitution. The church too is assli,cd. There
IS a sect N my own neig-borhood Who are de-
termined 10 pull down the pliers OF the church
rhey have rot sick OF all religion, and, fot nught
know they viii he prepared the enI to DIS
own thelr God. We have sect, to-, ho think
all he Institutions of society wrong the do.ucs-
uc institutions all wrong. Man was made To
live as the animals d. and the very best DISPOSE
ton Of u7 al would be 10 turn US intl a sh,ep- /
fold, as gather our sheep at the north. WHY. /
sir, have as lIl,le patience with this philosophy,
II you call It philosophy, any mIn la TN Ui- /
ion; Us Little tisie for III. teachings Of these
philus0pi r.. who, starting oa the principle that
u.eir Makeg dbl not understand rs busn-ss, aie
wotkin5 10 create all things anew.
Why, sir, these persons not satisfied with
correcuug the Institutions Of The Sanlh, til y are
determined TO correct the institutions OF the
,rfn as, Thtprs nj tho N,rft ,r.4 q. flausi,,