The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1850-10-15

the Holy Scriptures, were urged by the
West India planters and the mercantile
interest connected with them, in favor
Of its continuance in their colonies, and
were urged in vain. Their arguments
were eifeciually slenced by the most
eminent statesmen and BY the preIates
of their church, and in language, too,
which in this country is treated as ultra
and fanaicaI The language of our
Declaration Of Independence, when in.
corpora,ed into declaration Of rights
in the constitution of a neighhoring state,
was held by the learned Judicial trb
nals IF that state TO have Immediately
effected the abolition OF slavery in that
state. 1t is not cUntended by any one,
that law enacted by the legislature of
any state on this subject, can have any
operation beyond its territorial limits
The extent of the powers of the Gene
raj Government may admit of more |
doubt. | am not disposed 10 discuss tie |
question, or at this time to attempt to
, define the limits Of their constitutional
powers. within which they arc rcstrain-
ed and will only observe, that more
limited construction Of the powers Of
Congress, than was exercised By them
in the incorporation of Texas with the
. United Stalcs, or in passing the late act,
A III relation To persons hel To service in
one state and escaping into another,
, would give to the General Government
. all the authority ON this subject, which
the nest ardent friend Of freedom could
desire.
l have no means of knowing how far
e the late action OF Congress upon the
$ several matters connected with slavery
. is satisfactory to u majority of the peo>
f pie OF this State; oil of those measures
did not receive the sanction of the vote
s Of their representatives. If il lead to a
h more thorough investigation Of the pow
o els Of the General Government, aud to
VI an inquiry, what rights are secured, and
=, what duties enjoined it may be produc-
a. tive of useful results. AT any rate il
IN will tend to determination to exercise
ID whatever authority may YET be left, to
IS. protec, liberty aud freedom. The PEG.
n, pie of Vermont will, as they always have
n done, yield due submission to whatever
VI VI majority within their appropriate linn
vs. its may enact, and will resort to n,
n threats of hostile opposition; but wheI
a the time and opportunity shall arrive
h, that they can, in unison with a majqrit,
n of the people and States in.Congress
III exercise any legitimate authority on thi
VI subject, they will be found the uncom
he promising enemy OF any and every at
ri tempt, to uphold, extend or continue
to system, so uncongenal to the spirit @
ns our republican institutions, and SO all
re horrent to the principles Of christianity
III will only add, that for myself | canno
w assent TO the proposition, which ha
Lo sometimes been advanced, that any Stat
cs. may establish slavery where it is nc
rss nov recognized, or that it was anon
a the enumerated powers Of Congress, t
al impose any obligation on their success
We ors, to admit any State thereafter will
,U' out such restrictions as they might thin
.nt proper. Any such attempt of the Law
IN making power, must be considered as a
ID encroachment on the rights of their su,
he cessors, aud an interference with the d
nj pariment, to which the constitution hi
ay entrusted the duty of making lrcatie!
=, which are TO be the supreme law of ii
,bt land.
r. My opinions OIL these subjects ar
probably well known 10 my fellow CHI
'u- zens they have been formed upon care
mt ful aud deliberate inquiry, have bee
~ thus frankly and fearIcssly expressed
as as aud will influence me in all my publ
relations 1t is not for me to say, ho'
ire far they are the opinions of others
Fly profess not to speak, in tins matter,
S. the name Of any party or class OF N
in fellow citizens. The grca, body of III
he people read, reflect aud decide for then
~ selves, aud will undoubtedly ultlmntel
,rc act together on all the important sui
he lccts which affect the general welGar,
nd and on this one in particular | hay
'ty the highest respect for the opinion
= those who entertain different yieas. an
MS hose convictions of duty are moi III
." same as mine and can cheerfully an
of cordially cooperate with them IN an
,li- measures to promote The interest an
art happiness of our common country.
ns should be wanting in that indulgence
en- which claim for my own opinions, If
,ai should, on that account. disirust ihei
~ integrity or patriotism, or endeayor
nj cast reproach upon their motives.
We have no fears that any action of tn
nd General Government within their col
re- slltutional limits, on this or any othe
N subject, will in any way endanger III
w. existence of the Union or produce an
rL dangerous collision between the Generi
he Government and that Of any ofthe States
IT. \ more pcaceable method is provided :
&C. settle any controversies between them
no We have no reason t. believe that an
'9G considerable portion of our fellow cit
i'm zens, or any single State, or any numbe
as combined, will incur the hazard OF
el reasonable opposition to the laws of tn
nut United States, without any prospect &
ast success, in a cause where they canno
expect the sympathy or assistance of an.
US part of the civilized world, and whei
IL either success or defeat must be alike ia
y tai TO the Institutions TO which they S
1t, pertinaciously adhere.
al Whatever may be The destiny OF TIN
j" confederate republic hereafter, trust
II may say with confidence, that the PEG
C. pie of the State of Vermont, the first Il
NC obtain admission into The Union, will b.
o. among the foremost in their atachmen
a to the cause OF civil liberty and freedom