Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-03-06
Remarks of G.. II Wetherbee,
On the Fugiice Stauc Lar, in the late anti sLO
very State Contention in Name.

III H6 W ufCC StuuC IHU' w We HUe anu 5tG-
Uery Stale Convention in Name.
Mr. President may, perhaps, seem some
what the result Of presumption 10 me-whO have
never attempted anything of the kind before. to
endeavOr to speak on this occasion, hut inspired
by an ardent love of Liberty. by II strong desire
to make known my sentiments, aud to lift up my
voice against the tytannlcal Bill which we have
met to oppose, | have been In, elled to addl esS
you.
believe, sir, that not only the Fugitive Slave
Bill, but slavery itself is unconstitutional Sla-
very was contrary to the Laws Of England
The %colonia' Charters contained provisions. to
the effect that the Legislatures assembled IN.
der them, should pass no acts contravening these
la VS., and therefore previous TO the revolution,
slavery in our country had 10 legal existence,
out was merely a system of lawless robbery
Aud even if it had then legally existed, it would
have been abolished by our own GLORIOUS Dec
~laration of Independence. No one claims that
the Constitution gives power to establish slave
ry-to reduce one man 10 bondage, and those
clauses usually considered to contain the com
promises Of which We hear so mucb-those so
called guarantees to slavery,-wnen interpreted
according t. the true legal rule of in expectation
elsewhere laid down by the pro-slavefy men
themselves, are upon the side of Freedom.
Entertaining these opinions, and believing
also in the much abused Higher Law" and
firmly convinced OF the truth Oi those great
principles of democracy upon which our gov
eminent was founded, | am opposed to slavery
and especially to this bill, its last and most obi
OTIS enactment. Like all The speakers who have
addressed you, | would not obey it. | would
receive and succor the Fugitive, | would feed,
cloIhe, and shelter him, and as far as | could,
assist him on his way.
Mr.. President, we have heard much lately of
various 50, called " Union Meetings meetings
to put down agitation upon this subject of slave
ry. What is the object OF those VINO get them
up? Do they know that without agitation our
republic cannot long survive that without the
right of free snd unrestrained discussion our
free institutions cannot be maintained ? "Eter-
nal vigilance is the price of Liberty !" Eternal
Observation-Disclosures we cannot hope 10 contin-
ue to enjoy it. How except by agitation can
we carry out the maxims of those Revolutionary
Fathers, whom we all have been taught to re-
spect and honor? Agitation cannot be put
down, and the spirit which has brought us here,
will at length be triumphant,
But suppose that our opponents were success
full. Let them prevent us from expressing our
free opinions. Let them
"Quench every free discussion light,
Clap on the legislative snuffers-
And caulk with resolutions tight,
Each ghastly rent the Union suffers;
Let church and state brand Abolition
AS heresy and rank sedItlon!
Let them conceal each breathing thing
That whispers Of the rights Of man,
Gag the free girl who dares to sing
OF freedom DER her dairy pau.
Dog the old farmers steps about,
And hunt his cherished treason out"
And what would be the result? Successful
for a time they would be, but only tor a time
Truth is mighty, and it will prevail. We are
assured Of the truth and justice of our cause,
and therefore wh4teyer encouragement, what
ever adversely it may encounter we believe
that in the end it will be victorious. The huld
0l power may for awhile pervert the open utter
ance of the peoples sentiment, but such a state
OF things cannot long continue, and their voices
for time restrained will in due season be heard.
Among our duties we ought not o forget the
duty Of Chsrlty--the duty Of not considering all