Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1850-05-02
l)olitiGal.
OF Mr.. HEBARD, OF
VERMONT.
ON THE SLAVERY QUESTION.

In the House of Representatives., March
IA, 1850, in Committee of the Whole on
the state of the Union, on the Presidents
message communicating the Constitution of
California, Mr.. Hebard said
Mr.. CHAIRMAN There are periods and
lustrums in the history of al Governments,
when matters of more than ordinary inter-
est engross the attention of the public. And
il any apo'orv is needed for trespassing
upon the time of the committee, II may
be found in the importance of the subject
under debate But, sir, | trust we shall
not be called upon 10 undergo the formallty
of making apologies, when matters grave e.
nough to threaten the dissolution OF this
Union are hanging upon our hands, and
calling for our action. have no wish or
desire to add to the excitement that has al
ready taken possession of our deliberations.
neither do | wish on such an occasion 10
conceal my sentiments.
The full, free, and unrestralned express
sion of our opinions is one Of the essential
requisites 10 a free Government.
The debate has been one of most ex-
traordInary character, and maniiestlng ex-
traordinary interest, and has been TO me one
of novelty aud astonishment, and has adj
monished me Of the necessity of being pre-
pared for all emergencies, without being
astonished at anything Few and fleeting
have been the years since it would have
been regarded as evidence of wandering
intellect, for man seriously to have talked
of the possibility of dissolution of this I'm
ion. But here, sir, gentlemen have not on
ly talked of the possibility, but even of the
probability of the dissolution of the Union,
and have as coolly calculated the benefits
to result from it as they would calculate the
value of "a crop of cotton or tobacco. But,
sir, | have no calculations of this kind to
make. do not expect nor believe that
this Union is about TO be dissolved. l be-
lieve, sir, that the Union is to continue TO
shower down, upon its increasing millions
of inhabitants, lis blessings of peace, Of
prosperity, and happiness, of glory and re-
norm, until such time as All lnscrutable
Providence shall otherwise decree, as pun
ishmeDt for our sins Of ingratItnde for our
political blessings. | trust that this Govern
ment will stand " the asylum of the oppres-
sed. and the home of the Free" as long as
we deserve TO be free and happy peo-
pie.
In the discussion of this subject, sir,
have no flowers of rhetoric with which to
strew the arena, nor shall seek for words
of polished diction with which to clothe my
sentiments the occasion does not demand
1t it is an occasion that should call forth
the words of Truth aud soberness." Nel-
Their shall seek to infame the passions, or
call up the preladices of one section OF our
common country against the other. But
propose to examine some of the arguments
of gentlemen upon the subject before the
committee, and at the same time present my
OWE views.
Gentlemen have detained upon this sub
ject as if slavery was their only present So
lace, their only future hope. Bot l hope
and trust, sir that they have greatly overra-
ted its Importance. And for what is this
Union to be dissolved! Why, it is said
that the North have made aggressions upon
the South; that the Institutions of the South
are threatened; that the North contemplate
a course of legislation that is subversive to
their dearest rights. In the making OF laws
| recognise " no North, no South" Laws |
are to be made for the common benefit OF
all to diffuse their blessings and their bur-
thens upon all alike. But, sir, after what
has been said, and SO well said, by other
gentlemen, upon the subject Of these ag-
gressions, Should have contented myself
to have passed this part of the subject in ST.
lence, had not the State which | in part
represent, been most unnecessarily and IN
uulhfully made the subject Of this charge.
1, is easier to make charge than to prove