The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-12-21
BRATTLEBoRo, (VT.) Dec. Is, 1850.
| To the Edii0r of the journal of Commerce.


SIR; In behalf of many of our citizens, I take
liberty, through your journal, of explaining the
Legislative plot by which, on the last day Of the
session, most odious and unheard of law was
toisted upon the people of this State, regarding
the surrender of fugitive slaves. 1t came upon
the people like thunder clap, and many Of our
senators and representatives were entirely ignor-
ant of its existence until they saw it in news
prints; and all declare that it never couli have
passed had it been brought before a full house.
The facts are these On Tuesday before the
adjournment all the most important bills were
passed, leaving few minor bills to pass the
senate on Wednesday morning, and then to ad
journ sine die. On Tuesday evening u large
numter of the members (including some of the
most influential and conservative took their de
parture in the cars Ga Wednesday morning
in the senate, MIR. Currer, from Windsor county,
ii Free-sol Wing, introduced string of patriotic
resolutions, together with this law, which was
passed immediately, and sent down to the House,
which, like all Houses at the closing hour of
the session, with members in great hurry to
take the for their homes is more like bear
garden than deliberatve body. So the bill
was passed and the House adjourned.
This the first instance in Vermont legislation
where n bill of this Importance was passed with
out mature discussion, and goes to show that il
vas Il trap set by few disorganizers, and
'prung ut the last hour of the session. The
,e 'ple have been caught, but you may depend
hpon it that it will remain hut one Year blot
lpon our statutes. More than three fourths of
the people Of Vermont, when fully informed OF
lie facts, will repediate thi. law and all mus
rtest the Juggling trick by which it was con
'ulnmated. But now comes the question, how
w Ir mo IN aItr fhf.n hIa
our former chief justice? Why, upon invesi-
stion, it turns cut that it was his whole en-
oodiment-hiA one idea. 1t Was Informed BY a
senator that Judge Williams was consulted
'bout all the details Of the bill, and you will
observe that it is well and cautiously drawn 1t
vas not the work of moment, but Il mature
and deliberate PLAN This accounts for the large
vote Governor Williams received. You will re-
member tlt Vermont has not elected Gov
ernor by the people for some years; and when
Judge Williams was nominated by the Wings,
was Informed that he would carry the Free
soil Wings generally, which proved true, al
though it was industrously denied by the press
during the canvass Zou can now sec the fix
in which the Wing press is placed throughout
the State. They dare not attack this law, as it
was made by a Wing legislature. Though they
all wish to, yet none dare throw the first stone
So you can hear nothing from Vermont papers
ut present against this law. excepting the Bur
lington Sentinel, and one or two other organs
Of the Old Line Democrats. But can tell you
the evaporation of the people-of the conser-
vative Wings and Democrats, the true friends
of the Unon---knows no bounds, and will break
forth before another election in manner not
to be misunderstood. As it is, we must suffer
for one year the odium which We richly deserve
for our carclessness. A C.