The Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1850-1852, 1850-10-17

p''''Fai history Nc4lbCr an t,tt At
Britain or Franc. has any difaul,,
Ieen found IN sisli.hins =. o. IN tie
Consequences emana,sng from such an
act. The Ccerfs Of ln~ ia Grca, Iit,.
lain. long since held that IL eossd o., c
no legitimate existence in that couutrv.
w Parliament. every arsumcn, Of e,.
ir'!'' ncy. The claims of vested riclas. Of
Tie rights 10 property, aud even the Ru-
'horily Of the Holy Scriptures, were
urged by the West India planters and
the mercantile interest CONNECTED With
The m. ia fs,ur VI lis Continuance 10 their
COLONIES, and were urged in vain
Their Arguments were ehcc'ually 81
fenced Icy the most eminent Statesmen
and 10y the prrln'es OF ticir church. and
~ language, too. which la this country
Is treated ms ultra and fanh'irai. The
language Of our Declaration or lndc-
p,ndcnce. when Incorporated into dec
laration of rights in The constitution ci
a ncishhoring state. was held 10y the
learned judicial tribunal. OF that state
to have Immediately effected the aboli.
ton If slavery in tia, state. II is no,
eoniendcl by amy one. that law enact.
ed by the legislature Of any state on
this subject. can have any operation
beyond ia territorial limits. The ex.
tent Of the powers oi the General Gov
ernmcnt may adni, of move doubt. ]
am no, disposed to discuss this question,
or AT this time to attempt io define the
limits of their CONSTITUTE nal powers
within Which they arc restrained, and
will only observe, that more limited
construction Of the powers OF Congress,
than was exercised by them in The in
corporation Of Texas with the United
S'a'es. or in passing the late act, in re-
la'ion 10 persons held 20 service in one
stat" aud escapin. into another, would
give t. the General Government all Tie
authority on this subject, which the
most ardent friend of freedom could
desire.
have no means of knowing how far
the late action Of Congress upon Lhe
several matters connected with slavery,
is ~ isfac,ory to majority Of the poo
PIE Of this State all Of those measures
did not receive the sanction Of the vote
of their representatives. II it lead to
more thorough investigation Of the
powers Of the Gcneral Government,
and 10 an inquiry, what rights are Sc
cured and what duties cnjoincl. it may
BE- productive Of useful results. At
any rate ii will tend to determination
to exercise whatever authority may yet
be left, to protect liberty and freedom.
The people of Vernon, will. rs they
always have done. yield due submission
to Whatever a ma ority within their APP
propria'e limits may enact, and will re-
sort to no threats OF hostile opposition ;
but when the time and opportunity shall
arrive, that they can. in unison with a
majority Of the people and States in
Congress, exercise any legitimate au-
lhority on this subject, they will be
found The Incorporating enemy OF
any and every attempt, TO uphold, ex-
tend or continue system, so uncongc-
NAL TO the spirit Of our republican in
s,ituiions, and SO abllorrent to the prin-
ciples Of christianity. / will only add,
that for myself cannot assent to the
proposition, which has sometimes been
advanced, that any State may establish
slavery where il is not now recognized,
or that it was among the enumerated
powers Of Congress, to impose any oh
legation on their successors, TO admit
any State thereafter without such re.
s,ric,ions as they might think proper.
ANY such attempt Of the law-making
power, must be considered rs an en-
cEonchmcni on the rights Of their sue
ccssors. and an interference with the
department, to which the constitution
has entrusted the duty Of making trea-
ties, which arc TO be The supreme law
of the land.
My opinions on these subjects are
probably well known to my fellow ci,i-
zens; they have been formed upon
careful and deliberate inquiry, have
been thas frankly and fear les-ly express.
ed, and will influence me in all my pub
lie relations. ], it is not for me to say,
how far they are the opinins of others
! profess not TO speak, in this matter, in
the name Of any party or class of my
fellow citizens. The great body Of the
people read, reflect and decide for them.
selves, and will undoubtedly ultimately
act together on MI the impor'Tn, sub
jects which affect the genera! welfare,
and on this ono in particular. have
the highest respect for the opinion OF
those who entertain different views, and
whose convictions Of duty are no, the
same a, mine and can cheerfuIIy and
cordially cooperate with them, in any
measure. 10 promote the iniere', and
happiness Of our common country.
should be wanting in that indulgence,
claim for my own opinions, il should,
! which | ON that account. distrus' their
integrity OF patriotism, or cndeayor 10
cast reproacL upon their motives
have no fears tia, al = action Of TIC
/ General Government wi.hin their con-
! siiiutional limits, on this or any other
subject. Will in any way endanger the
existence Of the onion or produce any
dangerous collision between The Gener-
Il