Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-05-16
LETTER
HORACE MANN,
Of Massachusetts,
TO HIS CONSTITUENTS, ON THE
"Slavery Question"
LETTER

Our first disaster was the election of most
adroit, talented, and jealous proslaVery Spea-
ker. A better organ for the accomplishment Of
their purposes the friends of Slavery could not
have found, nor the friends of freedom more
formidable opponent.
Whilst the pro-slavery champions of the
South, almost without distinction of party, exul-
ted over this triumph, it has been the occasion
OF most lamentable examinations and recrimina.
ton at the North. They abandon all mere par.
tizan distinctions for the cause of slavery s.
would to God we could do as much for the
cause of freedom.
The choice of a pro slavery Speaker was i'm
mediately followed by the appointment of the
most ultra pro-slavery committees. Some free
soil members, it is true, were placed upon these
committees. But in this, the Speaker only car
ried ont more fully his own purposes and those
ofhis party, by putting what they considered as
insane men into close custody, instead of letting
them run al large. He showed however, either
a want of courage in himself, or of confidence
in his chosen guards; for on the district of Co
lumbia committee he detailed file of five, on
the Judiciary committee file of four, and on the
territorial committee file OF six strong pro sla-
very men for the safe keeping of single free
suiler.
Within an hour after the House was organ
ised Mr. Root of Ohio submitted a resolution,
| instructing the committee on Territories to re-
port territorial bills prohibiting slavery. Many
tue friends TO freedom believed this movement
to be ill-timed and unfortunate and though the
House shen refused by a handsome vote to lay
the resolution on the table, yet when it came
up for consideration again, the first decision
was reversed by about the same ma ority.--
There is abundant proof that the latter vote did
not express the true sentiment of the House.
Not few voted against the resolution avowed-
ly because OF its paternity-thus spiting noble
son on account of its obnoxious father. Others
repented Of their votes as soon as they came to
ratect that the record would 90 where their ex
PLANTATION could not accompany it.
But unfortunately it was too lite. There
stands The record to survive through all coming
time, and to be read of all men. The champ.
ons of slavery seized upon this vote as propi-
tious omen. They derlded and secuted the pro-
yiso with a Gercencss unknown before. They
shouted their threats of dsunion with more de-
fant tone, should any attempt at its resurrection
as they call it, be made. A speech was deliver
ed, in which the massacre of majority of the
House was distinctly Swallowed forth, so that
uOI d QUORUM slldll NC lCll W w uuSlHeSS' He
effect of that vote was almost as bad as though
it meant what it said.
At later day when bill for the admission
of California was presented, the tactics of delay
were resored to, and midnight found us calling
the yeas and nays, for more than the thirtieth
tImc on questions whose frvolousness and veX-
atousness connot be indicated by numbers.
The proceedings in the Senate, however, are
those which threaten the most disastrous conse
quences. Early in the session, in order to bring
his Northern friends up to the doctrine that it is
unconstitutional to lcgislate upon slavery in the
territories, Gen. Cass made strong speech, III
which he takes the ground, and denies that Con
gress has any power, under any circumstances
any !a gss'ass.. s.s,' ,aS5rmsS L
the people of its own territories and if they Sc
up king Or establish religion, we cannot hell
it-for we have no more power or right to con
troll them than we have the subjects Of France
Next came Mr.. Clay's compromise resolutions
so called, By these California was 10 be ad
mittcd as state; the territories organized with
out any restriction upon slavery; the Southwes
tern boundary of Texas be extended 10 the Ri
Grande; part of her twelve or fifteen million
debt to be paid by the United States on condi
llOl VI ilCi W IndJ put
New Mexico which lies east of the Rio Grande
the abolition of the slave trade in the district G
Columbia, and the inviolobity of slavery IN tn
District during the good pleasure of Marylan
and the inhabitants of the district; more effec
tual provision for the restitution OF fugitiv
slaves forever between the States, unless forbit
den by themselves.
A compromise is a settlement Of dificulhe
! l. I Al,
mutually of the concessions which Mr.. Clay
resolutions propose.
In the first place, California is to be permitte
to remain free, if the territories of Utah an
New Mexico may be opened to slavery. b.
California is free, already free by her own al
free without any concession of theirs, an
without any grace but the grace Of God. 1t
mainly occupied by aNorhern population, wi
do their own work with their own hands, or the
own brains.
Fifty hardy gold dggers flom the North wi
never stand all day knee deep in water, shov
earth, rock washers, &c, under boiling SUI
, and see man with his fifty slaves standing VI
der the shade Of a tree, Or having an umbrel
held over his head, with his whip in his han
and without wetting his dainty glove, or soilr
his Jappanned boot, pocket as much at night
, the whole ST them together. Or rather they W
never suffer institutions to exist which tolera
such righteousness. California, therefore
free-as free as Observation-Disclosures Mr.. CT,
, might as well have said in terms, that where
r Massachusetts is free, therefore New Mexico al
Utah shall be slave, or run the hazard of beiI
so.
The next point of Mr.. Claws compromise
that Texas shall extend her Southwestern bou
dairy from or near the Nueces to the Rio Grant
: and shall receive some six or eight millions
dollars for Withdrawing her claim to that part
New Mexico which lies east of the last namt
river.
Now, Texas has no rightful or plausible clai
to foot of all this territory. But supposing
: to be subject of doubt, and therefore Of COZ
:. promise; the lnntuallty, then, consists IN divl
ing the whole territory claimed by Texas, al
= then giving her valid title 10 one portion of
and paying her for all the rest. Texas, or
what in this connection is the same thing-sla
cry, surrenders absolutely nothing, gets go
y title to some hudred thousand square miles
/ territory, and pay for as much more.
But what renders italmost incredible that a
man should soberly submit such propositi
n and dare 10 cali it compromise, is this /
It that part of New Mexico which Texas CLAIM
h and which lies between the parallels Of 36 de
: 30 min, and AZ degrees is by the resolutions
/, annexation to be forever free. shall consid
n the constltutionality Of these resolution by a
1t by; now treat them as valid. Now, the CO
is promise proposes to buy this territory, SO secur
i TO freedom, and annex it to New Mexico, viii
is is to be left open to slavery.
e We are to peril all the broad region betwe
a SO 30 and AZ degrees, and pay Texas some
or eight million of dollars for doing so. A
n Clay is not less eminent for his statesmansl
a. than his waggery. Were he tosucceed ia pill
!, ing off this practical joke upon the North, a
= were it not for the horrible consequences viii
Is it would it would involve roar Of laughter, Ii
o a fen de jOrc, would run down the course of ag
l. AS it is the laughter will be elsewhere.
s. The next point pertains to the abolition of |
& slave trade, and the perpetuity of slavery in t
:. District of Columbia. The District has n al
of about fifty square miles and Mr. Clay p