Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1851-05-22

From the y. Y. Courier Enquirer
The Express insists that the Fugitive Slave
Law shall be made a test in party contests here
after upon this question, It says "the Sonll
will have recuits enough IN the North to carry
all before them "a National Convention even
cannot be got up on any other basis" than that
of allowing this law TO stand just as II is. eff
teen States certainly, twenty probably, will not
90 into Convention with us on any other princi-
pie"
This law was enacted by Congress, majority
of all the members thereof voting IN It's favor
It may be repealed or amended in the same way.
The representatives Of the people made 1t the
people, through their representatives., muy amend
or repeal it. This IS u night which the Constr
tuition guarantees TO the people and whenever
il shall be blotted out-whcneyer the people OF
the United States shall cease to have power over
their own legislation. then the power OF seli-gov-
eminent will have been extinguished, and the
very object for which the Union exists, will have
been defeated.
The Express and those who permit themselves
10 talk upon tins subject IN the same strain as
that pa per, forget that The Constitution contains
more than one provision. They seem to think
that if fugitive slaves are recapured, the Constl-
tuition is obyed-no matter how grossly its other
provisions may be violated The right Of free
speech co. the equality of Il citizen m every State
ofthe Union,-the night ola constitutional major
ity of the people TO make their own laws,-all
these are great fundamental principles of Re
publicanism. Our whole frame of government
rests upon them. The Union was formed, the
Constitution was framcd,- the express pur-
pose Of securing them to US and to our posterliy
forever.
Now we admit as fully as the Express can do,
the paramount obligation of that clause of the
a..
ice or labor TO be gwen up, on clam Of the per-
son to whom such service is due. No matter
how repugnant II may lee to the feelings of some
of our people, it must be executed. But so must
every other provision of that instrument They
are as sacred and as important, as tins Llber-
~, Repubicanism,-the life and being of this
great American family of States, suffer as much
when they are outraged, when that clause is
disregarded. And that man who would trample
upon them, TO execute the other,--who would
suppress free speech, or refuse to the people the
right to make and amend their own laws, for the
sake of securing the surrender Of fugitivos from
labor, strangles Liberty under protense of SUE
tanning that Constitution which was made to pre-
serve It.
The Fugitive Slave Law was enacted by Con-
gress and approved by the President, 1t is a
law Of the land, and as such, must be obeyed.-
We enter not at all into the difficult distractions
which this question has been made 10 INVOLVE
1t is sufficient TO say TINT the law must be faith
fully executed, by those duly charged with its
execution. No man has a right to resist 1t. No
good citizen will offer the slightest obstacle to
ITS execution. But to say that It must not be a
mended, that the people may not send represent
atlves to Congress who will vote 20 modify or
repeal it, is to make it higher law than the
Constitution itself; is to deny the right of the
yaor.la 70 thp,,.aslv.s No who sol
reflect upon the principle, and the consequences
involved III such position, will take II for mo-
ment
The people have the same right 20 repeal or
amend this law, which they had 10 make It. This
right must be admitted, or may as well aban-
don all pretensions TO Repuhhcanism ut once
But while we insist upon the right to repeal It
and look upon a denial of that right as an alb
surdlty, and at war with the Constitution itself,
voc shall oppose every attempt to repeal. not
only unjust TO the South, but as violation of
one OF the great compromises upon which the
Constitution was based. We do not believe that
its repeal is possible, and know IT would be UNI
just but we cannot deny the right of the peo-
pie to repeal or modify this or any similar Law.
As TO the pTopriety of changing this particular
law, there IS a wide diversity OF opinion, among
the people at large and among Wings. We re.
peat our conviction, that this diversity must be
tolerated. Ii the Southern States insist that it
shall mol be tolerated, then there an end to all
harmony and union. And if this be made n test
question in the Wing party, that party is dissolv-
ed.
The Wing party ever has been, and is now, a
party devoted TO the Constitution and when
ever il meets IN Convention, 1t will be ready to
pledge Itself 10 abide by the Constitution and 10
carry out all It's requirements. But il must not
should not, and assuredly will not attempt to con
troll the private opinions Of all It's members
There are as good Wings and ~ devoted friends
OF the Constitution North, as there are South OF
Mason and Dxon's hne-thore are those whe
hold sLGues, good Wings and as much attach
ed 10 the Constitution as those who look upon
Slavery as crime and 1t is not only idle but
wicked therefore, 10 attempt 10 test any mans
principles by his approval Of, or opposition. to
Slavery All we ask of them and ali any Whip
Convention will ever ask, is adherence 10 the
compromises of the Constitution, and the execu-
ton in good faith, Of all its requirements There
are those who desire TO see the Fugitive
Slave Law repealed and II Is their right to en-
terrain such opinions, without being read out o
either the Wing or the Democratic party. II 1
our light and the right Of a majority Of both the
great parties 10 oppose and defeat them and TIN,
has been, and may continue TO be done, without
disruption Of either party. If, however, all il
favor Of repeal Of the Jaw should separate
themselves from their respective parties, and
band together TO effect their object then their op-
ponents would be driven into similar union Il
uphold the Constitution. But there is no such
movement on foot The aim at present. is simply
10 break up The Hhig party and to this we are
opposed. We believe that the preservation Of
the wing party Is essential 10 the preservation
and the prosperity of the Union. We shall dc
ALL therefore, that may be in our power, 10 prev
ent any such new and fatal issue from being for
eed upon the Wing party. That the Journal o.
Commerce and It's Loco POGO conductors, SHOULD
strive to do n, As moi at all surprising. Then
leading purpose Is, and always has been, 4
ore4k up the Wing party. We trus, their pres
ena enot wan meet no DETER success than hai
attended those they have made hitherto.