Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1851-04-17

ry less calling on the green hill sides, and
among the sequestered dels" of Vermont,
where the love of freedom is inhaled in ev-
cry breath, than in the dominions of the
Sublime Porte IL the General Govern
ment IS under obligation to step in with
such vigorous exercise Of its powers. and
thus TO throw broad shield over the claims
OF slave holders, at the expense of human
freedom, let the miserable victims who are
thus TO be hurled back into iron seryitude.
have the little benefit they may hope to de-
rive from legal counsel.
But it IS contended that there arc no fi.
gitve slaves in Vermont, and therefore the
act was designed only TO irritate and dis
turb the South. 1t is very true, there are
probably no fugItlves in Vermont, and
this very fact shows that the design was to
protect our own citizens and It is too late
IN the day TO say there is no need of such
protection, after the trea4actions. at Pitts
burg, Philadelphia, New A. bany, Cincinna-
Il and other places, to drag free negroes u-
TO slavery under cover Of the fugitive slave
law. The natural effect Of this law has
been to encourage a class of reckless slave
catchers, who are now swarming in the Nor
thern States, ready TO seize any person hay
ing the least faint of negro blood. who they
think will be unable to exhibit direct proof
of his freedom 1t is obvious that man
who would engage in this business would
not hesitate to swear to any fact which would
enable him to put few hundred dollars in-
TO ms pocket, by transporting 4 negro, slave
or free, into 4 State where snews may be
bought and sold" 1t is not true that the
law of Vermont was desigRcd to irritatc
the South, though Vermoniers do not feel
themselves under special obligations to bow
very low to the preludlces Of Southerners.
They have heard the storm aud thunder of
Southern politicians too often to be very
greatly terrified, and they probably will at
tend to their own affairs and quietly enact
and enforce such laws as they think neces-
sary to protect their own citizens. Though
a small State, aud possessing little compar-
alive influence in the great sisierhood, Yer
mont yet claims the right Of managing her
own affairs, and of securing to her own cit
lzeDs the enjoyment of " life, liberty and
the pursuit OF happiness" and the free and
untrlmmclled exercise and expression of
opinion on all subjects She will not. how
ever, threaten to secede from the Union: if
the General Government does not proceed
IN all things agreeably to the views aud wish
es OF our people; nor will she, like South
carolina, take measures for casting a sup
ply OF cannon, arming herself to the teeth,
and preparing for all the grim horrors of
bloody war; but if aggrieyed and injured
by any act of the Federal Government, she
will probably appeal to the highest judicial
tribunal IN the land, and calmly abide the
decision.
1t is somewhat difficult to assign reason
tor the disposition of some Wing journals. to
place Vermont, which has always been So
true TO Wing principles, in false position.
A 'ew weeks since, paper of that class in
Boston, which has usually manifested very
dove-llke tenderness for the slayeholdinp in
terest, and has unceremoniously denounced
all who did not yield every point 50 modest
ly claimed by SOutherners, had paraded in
ITS columns in glaring capitals, the name
of Solomon Foot, Senator elect from this
State, as Free Soler; aud the calumay
was repeated few days since in an eve
nlng paper of a similar class when the edi-
tors must have known that Mr. Foot was the
regular Wing candidate, and that he is as
sound Wing as the present Wing candi-
date for that office in Massachusetts, Such
a course manllests ioa malice unworthy
any respectable public jnurnd. @ alioo -s
While a large proportion Of the people
of Vermont are Wing 10 the core aud ard
emily attached to Wing principles it is sill
undoubtedly the case that they do not SYM
pa.hIse with class of polulcians, who are
laborIng SO untringly TO maalactsre a pub
lie sentiment for the mass of the people,
hostile to the feeling SO prevalent through
, ba ban M IL az r.
very. They believe, that with Tie excep-
ton of a few fanatics (wiose numbers per-
maps are not greater thar the insane already
IA our hosptals) the whole North, almost as
one man, are devoted To the Union and that
the Union mass meetings got up with SO
much parade TO secure the Union from dis-
ruption, are as great burlesque as an at
tempt to Increase the HIGHT OF MONDAY with
a candle. The soft, Eolian tones which
have gone out from such meetings towards
South Caro'na and her sister spirits, are in
singular contrast with the denuhciations so
Literally extended 10 some sections Of tho
North Nor do Vermonters believe that all
discussion ia regard 10 The merits of the lu-
gitlve slave law must be smotaered, and
every expression OF opinion adverse 10 II ST.
fenced. Aud It appears little unreasopa-
BILE to u.s. that those occupying the highest
station in the government should condescend
to prescribe such as claim the night Of free
dom OF speech on tins subject. Nor do we
believe that the combined EFFORT of South
erners and the friends of the fugitive slave
law at the North, TO defeat the election of
a Senator IN New York, IS at all jusiliiable.
Many, also, consider that 1t admits OF a
doubt whether o0HSciRce Is henceiorth TO be
erased from our vocabulary, the laws Of the
Union 10 be entirely paramount to the laws
> of God as some of our leading politicians
!, are now conlendihg, Bat the sarcastic re-
. mark is sometimes made, A'sumewhse out
OF the world m Vermont" aud perhaps we
are too far removed from the e. eat teorfd 10
4 Justify AN expression of opinion on such
: weIghty subjects We had supposed that the
J world was making sose phesress' b"' when
we see men deprpg tue right d pfisate
Judgment aud rec DISCUSSION, and rldIcnl-
= ina co.sciesee," aud ihe higher law"
: we s,aewhal doubt whichwiy the world is
" progressing. ...,.....
Il II any apology is needed Tor presenting
these views to the public, it may be found