Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-05-16

Georges county, Oh Ine MdIylah" oluu' W u,F.oS-
Congress forever Of its right of exclusive leglsa'
ton over it.
Should this plan prevail, the perpetuity of
slavery here will be defended by more unassail-
able and impregnabe barriers than any other in
stituton in christendom. The president has ave-
to upon Congress; but two thirds of both houses
may still pass any law notwithstanding his dis
sent. Mr. Clay proposes to give both to Mary
land and the district, veto on this subiect-an
absolute veto, NIT qualified one like that of the
President of the United States; but one that will
CONTROL not majorties merely, but an absolute
unanimity in both branches Of Congress. BY
his plan, therefore, three separate, independent
powers are to have veto upon the abolition OF
slavery in the district of Columbia. And not
only SO, bat while it will require their joint or
concurrent action to abolish the institution, any
one one Of them can preserve 1t. The laws OF
the Modes and the Pensions had nc such guar
antics Tor perperuity as this.
Mr.. Clays last point is really too facedous.
So solemn subject does not permit such long
continued levity, however it may be marked by
sobriety of counenance 1t is that Congress
shall make more effectual provision for the cap
ture and delivery of fugitive slaves and as an
equivalent for this, it shall bind itself never to
interfere with the nter-saVe trade in slaves
We are to catch their slaves and as though that
were grateful privilege to us, we are to allow
them free commerce in slaves, coast wise or IN
land.
Bv this means, slaves can be transported to
the mouth of the Rio Grande, and some hnnd-
reds of miles up that river, towards New Mexico
instead of being driven in coffles across the
country. The compromise is that for every
slave we catch, we are to facilitate the passage
Of hundred into New Mexico.
Such is the mutualty of Mr. Clay's compron-
ises. They are such compromises as the wolf
offer to the lamb, or the vulture to the dove
They make the rightful admission Of California
into the Union, with the free constitution, con-
tingent upon opening the new territories to slav-
cry they ratfy one pant Of the predatory claim
of Texas and propose to give her millions Tor
the other part; they give an unconditional vote
of the State of Maryland, and to the citizens of
the District of Columbia, over a unanimous vote
of both Houses of Congress, even when APPROX
ed by the president in connection with Mr..
Buffers bill and Mr.. Mas0n's amendments they
expose our white citizens to grevious penalties
and imp risonments for not doing what the Su
preme Court of the United States has decided
we are not bound to do, in relatian to fugitive
slaves, and our coIored citizensto being kidnap-
ped and carried away into bondage; and they
foreclose in favor of the South, the disputed
question of the inter State commerce in slaves.
In one particular only do they appear to concede
anything to Northern rights, or Northern con.
victions or Northern feelings. They propose
to transfer the District of Columbia slave trade
across an ideal line into Virginia or into Mary
land, so that the slave planter or slave trader,
when he comes to our American Congo to re-
plenish his stock OF human cattle, shall be o.
bhged to 90 Il mile or two, to the slave marts,
instead Of walking down Pennsylvania Avenue.
deem this to be no concession. If 1t is honor
able to produce corn and cotton, it is honorable
to buy and sell them; and, if it is honorable to
hold beings created in Gods image, in slavery,
it is honorable to stand between the producer
and the consumer, and to make merchandise of
the bodies and the souls of men. Let this light
of the age be set upon hill, that all nations
may behold it.
will refer to Mr.. Bells resolutions no further
than to say that they propose the formation of
three slave States out Of what is now claimed
by Texas, one of which is to be admitted into
the Union forthwith as an Offset to California.
Mr. Buchanan has not regarded the move
ments of his rival, Gen. Cass, with Indifference.
He has spent a considerable portion of the whit
err in Washington, and it is understood that he
the Western boundary of Missouri to the Pa
eiie Oeeana hiYsi Inc llHEN taA .Ihr
In a chronological order, must now consider
some vitality important views which have been
submitted by some members in the House, and
by Mr.. Webster and others IN the Senate. In
. mentioning the name of the great statesman,
and in avowing that am one among the many
> whom his recently expressed opinions have fail
ed to convince it is due to myself however in
different it May be to him or to his friends, that
should express my admiration of his powers,
my gratitude for his past services, and the differ,
8 ence with which dissented, at first from his
y u. views. But have pondcrcd upon them long,
: and the longer have pondered, the more ques-
=, - tionable they appear | shall therefore venture
! upon the perilous task of nquirng into their
- correctness; and while do it with the defer.
. ence and respect which belongs 10 his charac
ter shall do it also with that fidelity to consci.
ence and to judgment that belong to mine. lie
10 is great, but truth is crater than US all.
% / shall confine myself mainly, and perhaps
~ wholly, to Mr.. Webster's views, because he has
argued the cause Of tile South with vastly more
Il ability than it has been argued by anyone among
u themselves. If his conclusions, then, be moi
:, tenable, there case is lost'
:, Mr.. Webster cast away the "Proviso" otto,
y gether. He says "D resolution or la,o ,rsrt
i noW before as TO prOuide territorial government
- for .Ne,O .MericO, I,could not Uote 10 nut an,
~ prohibition into 1t ,chateUer." p A. The reason
" given is that slavery is already excluded from
II "California and New Mexico" "by the law o
e nature, of PHYSICAL geography, the law of the
y formation of the earth;" p. 45. california ant
- New Mexico are Asatc in their formation ant
- scenery. They are composed of vast ridges o
d mountains of enormous height, with broken ridg
u, es and deep valleys" p 43.
- Now this is drawing moral conclusions from
ii physical premises. 1t is arguing from ply sizes tt
-, metaphysics Ii is determining the law of thu
10 spirit by geographical phenomena. 1t is under
80 taking to settle, by mountains and rivers ant
~ ~ not by the Ten Commandments, the question o
~ human duty. 1t abounds the second command
~ ment of Christ, and all Bills of Rights enacte,
y in conformity thereto and leaves our obligations
;. to our "neighbor" and all human rights to be de
10 termined by the accidents of earth and waite
a. a. and air. TO ascertain whether a people will
lt obey the divine command, and do to othors al
% they would be done by, it looks at the thermom
ID eter. What problem would this be- Requir
~ ed the height above the level of the sea. a
il, which the oppressor will undo the heavy bur
IL dens and let the opp essed go free, and brak
~ ~ every yoke'-to be determined balometrcally.
Il Alas this cannot be done; Slavery depends NO
Nd upon Climate, but upon Conscience. Wher
i, ever the wicked passion of the human heart cal
~ 60, there slavery can 60, Slavery is an effect
.. Africa, soth, pride, and the love of domination
nd are its cause In ascending mountain sides, a
Of what altitude do men leave the passions benin
" them? Different vegetable growths are to b.
nv found at different heights, depending also upo
on the zone. This can understand. There
All the altitude Of the PALM the altitude of the oak
os the altitude of the pine and far above them all
o., the line OF perpetual snow. But in regard t
Of Innocence and guilt, where is the tchite line p
Ter How high up can Shareholder go, and not los
nd his tree agency? AT what elevation will tn
m. whip fall from the hand of the master, and tn
ed letVeIS IoH lne lltnDS OF the slave There i