Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1850-07-25
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON
RESOLUTIONS

Your Committee, to whom has been as
signed the dsty Of reporting resolutions 70.
the adoption Of the Convention, in the name
of the Wing party Of Vermont. deem the
time fitting one seriously to inquire. wheth-
er the extraordinary danger to which the
prosperity, the peace, and even the perpetu-
ity of our country are now imminently ex-
posed, is due in any degree to their errors
and whether, for the patriotic purpose Of
averting this danger, any sacrifice OF ,nodi-
6catisn Of cherished Wing principles has
become their duty. a4
We find the country convulsed with the
question of SLAvERY-particularlv rs ln-
volved in the claim of Texas to a part of
New Mexico. and in the establishment Of
forms of government in the territory Acquire
ed by the late Mexican War. We find a
war threatened with Spain, as consequence
Of the late invasion of Cubs-s war in
which the subjugation Of the Spanish West
India possessions, and the consequent an
nexation of more slave territory to the Uu-
ion, would be the fruit Of victory to our
arms. We find California knocking in vain
at the doors OF Congress for admission as
one Of the free States Of the Union. We
find New Mexico on the eve of claiming
admission as another free Sta;e-Texas
threatening to resist BY force-Congress
still debating land spirit of discomfort
daily growing stronger and stronger through
the land. that nothing is done to settle these
disiracting Notwithstanding done TO res
cue both Government and People from the
embsrrassments like to flow from the almost
total neglect of the ordinary business Of le-
gislation. Thus it is that the elements of
discord and dsunion are violently at work,
and the hearts Of bold and praciised states
men, who have stood fearless aud unmoved
in the fierce tempests of other days, sink
within them at the sight.
Are these the fruits Of Wing principles !!
That is the point. The question of STA
VERY is the root of all our present woe !:
and Of Slavery-where' Not in the States
of the Union; there, it is undisturbed.-
Not in the District of Columbia there, it is
$question too easy of solution, either by
the exclusion Of slavery or removal of the
seat Of Government, ever to disturb seri-
ously the peace of the Union. Not in the
old territories; for th,re, every rood is free
by the Ordinance of 1887. The root of
euii, then. is the question Of !Siaoery simply
and solely rithin THE NEW TERRIToRY, ac-
CURED, first, by the ANNEXATION OF Texas,
and last, by the WAR WITH MEXICO. These
are not fruits Of the good Wing tree-most
-assuredly not. Both were the acts Of the
party TO which the Wings of Vermont were
strennously and constantly opposed; it is
worthy of remark, too, that both were
brought about III violation Of cardinal
principle Of the Wing creed both brought
about by EXECUTIVE UsuRPATIoN. The
Wings Of Vermont opposed both Annexa.
ton and the War; they demonstrated a.
galnst the extension Of territory at all, and
especially of slave territory; and they fair.
ly and repeatedly warned the country that
they should resist the admission of single
State to the Union, without an express pro.
hlbltIon of slavery.
Your Committee have no hesitation in
saying, then, in the name of the Wings u
Vermont. that for the consequences of these
acts, ire are guiltlcss the heavy RESPONSE
biIity of them rests with those, and only
these, who disregarded our appeals and de-
rided our timely warnings.
We are now told that the consequence.
of these acts-of these repeated acts of vi
olence to our principles and wishes-art
dangerous, perhaps fatal even, to the pea. e
Of our country and its further existence
Zone and indivisible"; and we are earnestly
implored to aid in averting this danger, il
spirit of forbearance aud compromise
We have well considered this appeal; We
love the Union, and we wish to save IT,
but Ue know of no Uay of salvation but tn
straight and narrow path-but by adherins
firmly to the principles Of the founders ofths
Union, and using the power Of the Constitu
tioa, temporarily. discreetly, justly, as the,
would use it. They compromised this grea
question by leaving slavery as it was in th'
old States. by according Ia it quota of rep
resentation, by providing for the suppressio,
Of domestic instruction, by requiring tn
rendition of fugitive slaves, and by cmpow
ering Congress TO PROHIBIT THE SLAvI
TRADE in the sohole country, and to EXCLUDE
SLAVERY from THE NEW STATES AND Ter
RIroRIEs. This was their Compromise; i
is ours. 1t is Compromise of the Constitu
ton, ratified by the North and the South, an'
binding upon every freeman of the Repub
public by the solemniiy of an oath. To il
sist, either that slavery shall be admitted t
the new territories-or that Congress shall
waive its Constitutional power SO far as nei
Their TO admit nor restrict it's equally
violation of the Compromise and solemn
Compact of our fathers. They would no
be guilty Of bad faith 10 the Constitution
Of bad faith to each other-of bad faith t
LIBERTY: zoe will not. They condemn
ed slavery as inconsistent with the first prin
cipIes of our government zoe condemn il
| They restricted slavery forever, in territor,
then free, by the ordinance of 81: 70
willresirict il. They gave power to Coz
gress to prohibit ''the migration or importa
ton" Of slaves into new territories or States
zoe will use that power.
Are we told still that the Union is in dan
ger!-then il is in danger because Others vii
dissolve it, not we; because others will de
part from the principles oftheir fathers, ant
ours; because Others will insist upon NEW
CONDITIONS OF UNroN-upon conditions
which are not in the Constitution. and which
it is our right, and our indispensable dstI
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