Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1850-11-29
DAILY FREE rREss-NOv. 81, 1850.
Vermont on slavery and the Fugitive
Slave Law,
BURLINGTON, VIZ.

DAILY FKFI I'RE>o-NON. -, lou.
Vermont on slavery and the Fugitive
Slave Law,
We take particular pleasure in laying before
our readers the suboned Joint Resolves on the
subject of Slavery, which were adopted by the
two Houses of our Legislature, at the Session
Just closed. They were reported in tho
Senate by Senator CuRRIER of Windsor Cuun-
ty, and were, doubtless, drawn up by him.
They will meet tho warlncst appreciation of the
Whir Press in Vcrmont-not only because
they arc firm and decided, digntcd and manly,
with re crencc to tho exciting questions of
Slavery and the existing Fugitive Slave LAW,
but because they express a feeling of "cour-
tcsy and kindness towards those of our Eel
loa CITIZENS North or South who cherish
the system that we doplorc y and give voice to
the profound attachment of VERMONT to this
GLORIOUS u ION. They correctly express the
Wing sentiment Of Vernqut tho factou5 re-
sistancc to Constitutional Law, but repeal or
modification. Vermont loves the Constitution
and the Union, and, in the eloquent lannurgc
VI ICl w nv licplSlltuIt, NHoEN Err MAl DE-
sERT, SHE WILL ABIDE BY THEM" She is rs
far from the Free SoiliSln of Garrison & Co, as
she is from the lIunkcrisn of Cass, Batter &
Co., and occupies that "satc medium which
respects the just compromises Of the ConSttrI-
uon," as well as tho in,licnablc' rights which
that instrument docs mol compromise.
The Resolutions on the same subject sent
up from the House, were very appropriately
laid upon the table in the Senate. They were
only calculated to embitter unknd feeling al
ready existing, and unnecessarily and want
only to cxaspcratc the temper of the South
God forbid, that Vermont should ever take any
such position! Her public opinion against the
extension and pcrpctuaton of Slavery has nc
such complexion. 1t is firm without aocIbiy-
decided without vituperation. or moral sen
timcnt demands no more, as it would be con
tent with no less. Having done HER DUTY Sc
far as regards Opinion and Action, she seeks tc
do no more She would impair no Constitu
tonai Rights of her Sister States. She only
asks that her Opinion should be heard, and he
Action be admitted to square with her Opinion
If ncithcris eflcc;ua to bring about the result
she desires, she is content to wait for eth
dawnng o! better day. Those who repre-
sent Vermont qs dsloyal to the Constitution
and the Laws grieyously misreprcsent her. The
attribute 10 the STATE the seditious and rcyo
lutionary sentiments of uniformly delicate
faction within it. Vermont is opposed to SLAVE
~ and to its extension but sho neither seek
u interfere " it'll it beyond the exp cssion
her opnion) where it Copstltqtionally exist.
nor to exclude it where it mag not be Consttl
Law abiding State ;--content to leave Wit
CONGRESS- the decision of all National que
tons, and infinitely prefcrring "rcpcal or mod
fcaton" to resistance or rebellion! In tn
temper were the following Resolves draw
snd in this temper we're they adopted =
Resolved By the Senate and House Of Hcp,eSentl
tiUes:
THAT Vermont has new position to take q
tie subject of Slavery. Her views are on record
they remain unchanged. Now, as before, she +,
CARDS the system as grevous wrong to the sUher
o it AS vitality hostile to the prosperity oi tlus
States in which il is cherished; aud as Injurious
all it's bearings to the best interests OF the wlo
country.
2.--Rceo'scd, That We afR Gnyeldingy oppose
90 any extension whatever OF its evils or its iniicnt
under the banner of the Republic and that whe
ever there is a foot OF soil to be stald back rol
becoming Slave Territory, we will insist upon til
proec,lon Of such soil by legislative prohibition.
3.-Rcsoircd, That entertaining these views W
recognise, nevertheless, the duty OF courtesy an
Kindness towards those OF our fellow citizens wi
cherish the system which we dcplore We will r,
sp"ct their Constt lional lights we have ever dom
we would not be Inmindu OF their honor or the
interests and, should occasion serve, we will sho
ourselves as hostile to their enemies their eiyQrS
4-Resolncd, That the people of Vermont do n,
approve Oi the recent act Of Congress n'Qlng
persons escaping from the service Of thcr ma,
tcrs;" holding it to be opposed to the great prime
pies OF CivI Liberty and will use all Cousiiil
tlonnl means TO procure its repeal, or such modcG
tions OF ii as to protect lhe rights OF our citizen
5.-Rcsolced, That rejoice in the peaceful a,
mission o California into the ConedcIacy asa Stat
with Constitution and People hostile to the sy,
sem OF involuntary scrvtude--thus securing 10 IL
interess aud cause of Freedom, the millions wi
SHAY Hereafter inhbait the Pacific States.
c.-Aesolrsd, That as Vermont was the first Stat
IN sect admission into the Union, she viii he II
last 10 forget it's benefits, to be- wanting in ciior
10 promote lia prosperity or lis permanance ; VII,
yvER MAY DEEM LIGHTLY OF 1T, SHE WILL uoNC
1T; WHOEVER MAY AssAIL, SHE WILL vINDICATE II
WHOEVER MAY DESERT SHE WILL ABIDE By IT.