Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-12-28
THE VERMONT MULTIPLYING LAW.

Messrs. GALES L. SEAroN: send you the frs
notice by way of comment which, so far as my
! knowledge extends, has been taken by the press Of
Vermont of The recent law Of that State in relation
| 70 fugitive slaves Hitherto that press has main.
tanned most guarded silence on the subject which
| is the more remarkable when we consider the
comments which have been SO freely bestowed on
that law elsewhere.
AS a Vermon,er, have awaited with no little
solic,ude for some expression Of opinion from that
quarter with the view of learning who, if any body,
there, would attempt the vindication of measure
which has met with such decided Reproduction from
all quarters, and which am compelled to say has
implicated so deeply the character Of the people Of
thai State for patriotism and intellgence--for at
tachment 10 the Constitution and knowledge of lis
requirements.
The suggestions in the accompanying article may
perhaps exonerate the Legislature from the charge
OF a deliberate attempt at notification. To those
who are acquainted with The hasty manner in which
bills are passed even through Congress near the
close OF the session, il will not appear surprising
that such an act should in like manner find its way
through State Legislature, whose sessions are
limited 20 few days, and whose members gener-
ally are inexperienced in legislative proceedings.
But has not the Governor Of that State, in APP
proving the law, assumed responsibility which he
will find hereafter 70 rest somewhat heavily upon
his shoulders! Having been for more than twenty
years Judge of the Supreme Court Of his State,
and for halt that time It's Chief Justice, he would
hardly acquiesce in an apology for an act produc-
tive Of such universal surprise and regret which
would attribute his approval OF that law to igno-
rance, either of its true character and effect or of
the constitutional Law of his country. IL the plea
of ignorance cannot be interposed, he will be
driven either to the difficult task Of reconciling the
law Of Vermont with the provisions of the Const-
tuition, and the decisions OF the supreme judicial
tribunal created by il, TO the still more difficult
task Of establishing that supposed higher law"
which requires Of him, after having taken the oath
to support the Constitution Of the United States to
violate both that constitution and that oath.
But my object in calling attention to the article
in the Eagle is to redeem the people Of that State
from the odium Of this njudicious, ill-timed, and
act OF their Legislature, by exhibit
ing to the country the evidence there afforded that the
merits of that measure are justly appreciated at
home. Although this is the first expression of
opinion which has, to my knowledge, been ELECTED
from the Vermont press, yet hesitate not 10 say
hat it is true indication Of the tone which not
only the press, but the popular sentiment Of the
people Of that State will ultimately and upon refee
lion assume.
:. The people of Vermont are in fact, they have
always been represented to be, attached the Con-
stitution and the Union. They are in principle,
by education, and in practice, peculiarly law
abiding people. They will not fail 10 see, and 10
feel, that the law Of their State comes in direct
conflict with the act of Congress Of the last session.
If one is constitutional, the other eanno, be. If the
ctof Congressbe in their Judgment
it does not justify notification by State legislation.
That is not the proper mode to test the question OF
There is remedy provided by
the Constitution itself. That remedy, by resort
to the supreme judicial power, is one which they
fully understand and appreciate, and one 10 which
they are accustomed to submit.
The people of that State have surely not forgot
ten the position taken by their representatives in
Congress when notification was threatened from
another quarter. The language of one of her
Senators on the floor of the Senate during the last
session is still on record. Vermont had urged
upon Congress, in certain resolutions Of her Lcsis-
ature, the adoption of what is commonly called the
Wilmot proviso. 'The South, or large portion of |
The South, regarded such restriction as unconsti-
utional, or, as distinguished Senator expressed |
/, as "usurpation.' And limitations by no means
equivocal were given of resistance under the sane
ion of State authority. On that occasion the Sen.
ator from Vermont, after showing that the question
as to the power of Congress to limit slavery in the
Territories was mere constitutional and judicial
question, goes on to say: au
"Such being the character Of the issue between
US, whatever determination may exist here or else
where, and however firmly and earnestly the issue
may be maintained by the respective parties to it,
vet gentlemen will permit me to say, that all threats
"a Hence, all purposes of disunion, Of separate
We ao,o, fnulIifcaton,) and any and all mea-
sures not justified IL called for BY the constisa-
ton, are in my judgment, alto. yether premature.
And again Suppose the WIKI not proviso should
be enacted has the time arrived TOT independent
State action, by way Of resistance 10 Inc ACTON OF
Congress-. call it usurpation or wha' you please
No. Sir not vet The Constitution has provided
its remedv. The trainers Of that instrument fore
seeing that there might be difference OF opinion
in deiininp precisely the powers conferred oy IT.
har uei,g peaceful triSpnal Tor the adjust
ment of such controversies.
Such was the language held by Vermont 70 tue
south. She may now with great proprlety 'ake
he advice to herself. If the law is, in her judy
aent, inexpedient, unwise, or perniclous' let her
ppeal to legislative discretion for its repeal. In
he constitutional organ where that discretion rests
The has her constitutional right, and she and her
lister free States have prepoAderating influence.
# j. be unconstitutional let her 60 70 the judicial
tribunal established by the Constitution Tor its Judg
nent in the matter. In short, let the constitutional
remedies be first exhausted, before resortng 10
hose measures of resistance, DISCRIMINATION, anu
revolution, which, when threatened elsewhere,
nave met with the universal and unmitigaed repro
baton Of her people. AT least, let her not make
m. .s1ar,n ont "a