Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-05-09

sion OF new STATE IN lCOU. lHey COu'u uulilt
state, but they could place me Under no OBJ
legation to act contrary TO my own Judgment
am sworn to support the constitution, and SOL
emily believe that this increasing and extend
ing of the slave power is subversve OF the con-
stltutlon.
Sir 10 admit more slave states, thereby in
creasing the slave power and surrendering the
interests OF humanity to the disposal of those
who deny the self evident truth Of mems equali
ty of natural rights, is rot only paipabe vio-
laton of the whole spirit of the constitution, but
1t is at war with the vital objects, The whole de-
sign of those who established our government
amidst tolls and dangers.
The annexation of Texas was conceived and
consummated, with the avoRed intention of in
creasing the slave power. do not charge Nor
thern men with acting on this principle we
know the officers OF the Government, the Exec
utiye urged it expressly on these grounds.
then denounced it as unconstitutional in its OBJ
iects, its designs, and the MANNER Of Its acc0nl-
plishment. So tn did distinguished Senator in
the oher end of the capitol, who now avows
himself ready to vote for admitting these new
slave states from Texas, for the very purpose OF
increasing the Slave Power in this Govern.
ment.
Sir what has wrought such change in the
mind of that distinguished Senator? Time will
doubtless answer this question. But, sir, hold
ing now as then did, that Congress may at any
time repeal the joint resolution by which Texas
was admitted that those who voted for that res
olutlon could by its adoption impose no new du-
ty on me to vote for admitting other new slave
States, shall at all times oppose such adms
sion
These sovereign States, while united under
the same constitution, must be equal. Texas
brought with her no claim whatever to be dvid,
ed into four slave States. She can no more
claim division than Ohio, New York, or Penn
sylvania. The sole object for such division is
an increase Of the slave Power. To give it
greater influence over the rights and The inter
estS OF the free states-to enable ii more effec-
tualy to withstand the progress of truth and JUS
tce-to prolong its blood-stalned system of bru-
talizlug our fellow men.
But, sir, the day has arrived when the tenden.
cy, the effects and consequences of our official
acts are known and understood by the people.
He who now advocates an increase of the slave
power, may as well openly and frankly avow his
opposition to freedom, his hatred Of the ina!ena-
Bile rights of man-aid declare his intention of
sustaining oppression and slavery. Our actions
cannot be misunderstood in these times. He
whose soul is !mbued with the love of Justice, Of
liberty, and Of his race, will manifest it by his
words, by his acts, by his votes. Sir, those acts
and votes arc known an read of all men.
1t is also proposed to pass further and more
stringent laws for the arrest and return of fugi-
tive slave; to make every postmaster, and depu
ty marshal, and Other petty officers Of the Gov
eminent, resident in the free States, the catch
pole of slave. hunters. We ale to impose upon
them the obligation to leave their shops or their
fields, and give chase to the flying bondman as
he hasiens from his scene of his oppression to
seize the trembling victim of Southern cupidity
to assist i'll rvetng the cold iron upon his chat.
ed limbs, and then TO fDce him back to land
of chains and signs, and tears and SUFFERING
Yes, sir it is now gravrly proposed that this
| Congress of Christian men, at this middle OF
the nineteenth century, Boosting that we are
surrounded by the most intelligent, free, and
virtuous people on the earth, shall turn our at
tention and exert our official inhuence-our
legislative powerful favor of the vest system
of oppression known among civilized men: that
we shall aid the arrant usurper Of the South to
hold his grasp upon his fellowman to compel
him % toll and to suffer under the scourge, for
the benefit OF his oPpressor; that we VIII he.P
rob him of his liberty, his Judgments, his all,
that others may leVel Ill WEALTH. CHI j Woulu
as soou turn slave-hunter as would vote for
such law. Yet do not regret that such a
measure is to come before us. | am willing to
see members compelled to show their hands. |
desire that the country shall understand who is
wiling thus to degrade the character Of Ameri-
can statesmen by prostitutlng our official powers
to such purposes.
But there are circumstances which render
a.. -. h III
and humiliating, Since the early history of the
, State in which live, men have occasionly come
/ from the slave States ind kidnapped our coored
! people and when such offenders have been de-
, manded, RS fagitiyes from Justice under the
Constitution, their surrender by the slave States
. has, | believe, at all times been refused Yet,
the Representatives Of Ohio are no" called on
, to turn round and lead their Influence to each
and return Southern slaves When our free
coored people visit the slave States, they are
seized imprisoned, sold, and enslaved; and
Southern gentlemen now ask us to pass law
that shall make 1t the duty OF our postmaSters,
and deputy marshals, to seize and return to bon
dage those very citizens of Ohio, should they
pechance escape from their oppressors in the
South, and return to their wives and children in
their native States. Will the Representatives
: of Oho vote for such law?
The citizens of Massachusetts have been
seized IN Southern ports, enslaved, sold, degrad-
. ed and brutalized They now moan and weep
in chains. Representatives of the sovereignty
of Massachusetts, when sent to those States, to
Test their proceedings judrcially, have been driv-
en- by mob violence from their jurisdiction; and
. their Legislatures have passed laws, prohibiting.
under severe penalties, all persons from prose-
cutting the rights of such enslaved citizens to
freedom.
, Sir, while the South thus violates and tramp
5 upon the Constitution, while they treat the
: free States generally; and Massachusetts in
, particular, with most sovereign contempt, dis
) lingulshed statesmen OF New England, rep
, resentative Of Massachusetts,, came forward,
? ard, before the nation, Gliding the people Of the
l., North for their remissness in arresting and re-
. turning fugitive slaves, proposes that we shall
Do. exert our Legislative powers in favor Of South.
| ern piratical slave hunters.
Sir, the proposition is humiiatng detest,
execrate such policy. | have no language
capable of describing my own feelings in re-
!, gard 10 it, would as soon legislate To make
. the people OF the free States the slaves of the
/ South, in direct and positive language as
would vote for such measure. TO me, the
1 slave. hunter is the most dotestable human being
8 that lives or moves upon the earth.
y We cannot under the Constitution protect or
' secrete the slave from his master. But the
a Legislatures of free States may prohibit their
h own citizens from aiding or assisting the master
y to track out the painting fugitive, ia order again
Q to subject him TO the lash and the thumbscrew.
o Such law has been introduced into the J4egis.
: lature Of Ohio; and | am free to say, that il
. there be crime for which would hang cti-
i zen Of our States, it is that of aiding the slave
. holder to seize his trembling victim upon soil
n conseclated to freedom.
8 You may pass your proposed law, and it will
J. remasn dead letter upon your statute book
Il Our people know their rights, they understand
their duties to the Government, to their fellow
/. men, and to their God. The law of kindness,
o of sympathy for the oppressed, of love to our
g fellow men, is written upon our natures by the