Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1850-01-25

a word or two TO say: that this subject has nc
only attracted the attention OF the people of TIN
country, but it has arrested the attention of tn
world at large. 1t is subject upon which an,
people and every people are at liberty to ex
. press their opinions 1t is great question o
} moral action-a great question of political ac
ton. Ihod it, therefore to be right, sir, that al
persons. at all times, should be at liberty 10 ex
press their opinion upon it. The State of Yer
mont should have liberty to express her opin.
ions. The Senator from Florida is at liberty
to express his opinious. 1t is the "great ab-
sorbing question OF the day." as it has been call
ed and of course every portion of this country
is at liberty to express its opinion upon it. |
may here remark that when the Legislature of
my own State expressed their sentiments in
these resolutions, they did not expect that any
peculiar importance would be attached to them
that they would receive the concurrence and
sanction of the Senate. They did not think it.
As have remarked, have avoided all irritating
discussion npon this subject of slavery. ] de-
precate it upon both sides. | regret much that
this subject cannot be disposed OF by the South
and the North in spirit of cancellation, harmo-
ny and good feeling. wish now it was set
tied, and settled forever.
! 1t is in this way; and in this way only, that the
subject can be disposed of. Irritation, provoca-
ton, offensive language, do mischief, and mis-
chief only. am disposed to meet it as great
absorbing question, which, in the discharge of
my duties. am called upon every hour to meet.
Now, sir meet this subject and how do meet
it AS respects this question, far as it is a
subject Of legislation--this question Of slavery
in relation to the territories, and in relation to
the Distrct-it is pure question of policy, to
be settled by us in our discretion. FIVE think
this institution is not calculated to promote the
81,
mischievous in its character in this District, il
is our duty, as wise legislatorg. to put our
hands upon the statute-book and to blot it out.
1t is great question policy, to be settled by
us, and not one of feelings of mutual crimna-
ton, it is great question to be discussed in
calm and dispassionate manner. do not like |
this agitation. | have avoided it. have stu |
dlously Kept myself out of the way Of it, for
the reason that discussion has not been con-
inctcd let me say, in the best manner.
Now, in regard to these resolutions, what
are ;hcy ? They are the expression OF the SEN
iment of the people Of my own State. A, such
hey are offered here, and for nothing more.-
We ask that they be received. as TIE expression
IF the opinion Of any other State has been re.
,eived by us. We ask nothing more than that
which has been accorded, by common courtesy,
O every expression of opinion upon similar sub
ects coming from n sovereign State.
Bat gentlemen will excuse me if add, after
what has been sad. tha, these resolutions ex
,ress the opinions Of the civilized world. They
ire the sentimenrs, say, of the civilized world
Ipon this subject arl INSTEAD Of being made
he subject of rcprGaih here, they should be
rcateI as the scutimc"ts of the civilized world
AS the sentiments OF lhe age III which we
Wh,, are tbesc reeo;otionsp Do ,bov ask
for interference in the domestic concerns Of anv
' the State? No, sir Ih'y call upon Con-
Ir'sS 10 d" IT. d"ty Where II ha' 'he power
| hry propose not |" m'ddIe WIN lhe Ihterna'
nnhcy OF any state; but they CAL upon us,
NheTe &c p"&fe>s me power 10 perform onr du
E-'hat Hn'y 10 ""ch we are called DeHeVe'
'y the unIVer~a! sentiment "I the riv'i'z'd world,
N'tI' the exception ot those portions OF 1t where
ne Pern''a ins'l'Ht''a PrfYMI'.
having Sa'd V'"s m"ch' 'n'hH II my GUY
10 say t"at no mah-m' 'hah-7's more aVersc |"
an otIclons ntcrme1dIihg WIN the aualrs OF our
'iSter states thah ! am Ieave mem WIN
lhelr institutions IeaVe them 10 manage t'le'r
u ,nsU'"'iona !" ',ti' u" way: w.' "o' M d
n'ee' W u'''u'o ,,e"' ~ ''e egu'a''o' VI ..'c''
own concerns Du'' s'r, on 'h's great qnesuon'
" " men II Is approved on 'ne one ha"u' ana "heh
1t Is u'7aPPfoVeu on the o'ler' ana Wheh the
q'es"oh Is ra'sea Whether 'h'S ,hSt'tu'loh snail
~ ~ E-'N "0''~ '' ""' P'9''o0 "hch ."c
question Is raised whether 1t snail be extended
lhe w"rd over, II our power covers the w'rd-
then sha'l follow the dictates oi my own judy
meht ana OF my own conscience, ana say,where
IL now e%lsis, LEI II be Out where 1t does not
exist, let 1t not be carried. Such are my opIn-
ions, SIR
The debate was still further continued Ly
Mr.. Berrien. Mr.. Upham. Mr.. Hale and Mr. |
''aS'' ", VI 49, "''o '"'u
dd not design to nave occupied the time of
ihe senate upon TINS OCCASION and regret that !
have been betrayed thus far but the topic is |
excltIng' Inc honorable Senator from Yer
mont has spoken OF resolutions introduced here
from the State OF Virginia, lie is correct in
regard to their character. II ! recolect Alright,
they were not addressed to the Senate, but To
their Senators, We thought it our duty, upon |
receiving them, as the Senator thought it his,
and think rightly, to present them TO the SEN
ate
The Senator says that in these resolutions
there was threat OF dissolution of the Union.
! disc aim It, There was no threat-nOne, |