Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-04-17
The Missouri Compromise

InS uHlSSOu44 jump OAAAASO'
Believing it would interest our readers, at this
crisis to know what the friends OF freedom
thought, at the time of the admission of Mlssou-
ri as a Slave State, and what results they pre-
dicted from it, we cut the following able article
from the Douer M H. Register, published A.
pril 1920, which has been furnished by a friend.
What would the writer say of the recreant
North now?
Missouri Questionable subject has been ag-
itated in Congress of greater moment or concern
to Americans than that of the extension OF sla-
very. The right of Congress to impose restric-
tions upon New States TO be admitted into the
Union after the year 1907, was sufficiently pro.
we'd and could admit of no doubt. The ques-
ton therefore rested entirely upon the expedlen-
CIV or policy of such a measure. On this all the
members to a man, of the slave holding States
divided in opinion from those of the North, who
stood firm in opposition to unlawful and arbitrary
power, excepting those whose names are gem
orally known. For want of frmness in those
members, who forsook their friends and deserted
the standard OF liberty upon this trying occa-
sion. should be attributed all those evils that will
necessarily follow from the extension OF slavery.
The free States had decided majority, both IN
the Senate and House of Representatives, and
united, might have controlled that supercllllous
and tyrannical spirit of oppression, which was
once exercised by a few individuals only but
which now predominates in our national couh-
ellis, and will in its progress destroy every yes
tige of freedom. America. how art thou tall-
en- from that bright ummlt on which thou mast
erected thy temple of freedom! The wise IN
%tentlons Of thy Legislators to limit and contne
an evil to those States in which it was unaVold-
able is now perverted, and that evil is to be ex-
tended and perpetuated 1t is stated that they
only wish a transfer OF their slave property to
the new States, which can in no way increase
the evil in question; but this is a mere PIE
tence, for the slave property, as 1t IS termed,
will be like prolific seed, and we may expect the
harvest to be in proportion to the means EN-
ployed, or the extent of territory they are per-
mitted to inhabit. By this cession on the part
of the free states we have not only acted lncom-
patibly with the character of a free and indie
pendent people, but have surrendered such pow
err into the hands of the sla vehoIding states that
they will become not only the rulers of slaves
but of freemen. Why do we yield TO those vio-
la1ors of the laws OF nature and Of God? Is it
through fear of their power or boosted threats
of separation? That power is not real which
consists in The enumeration of slaves or bond
men, though it enables them to fill the Capital
with their warm partisans neither do we believe
they would attempt a separation; by such an
act they would the sooner become victims to their
own folly. The people of color would be like
an overwhelming torrent irresistible in its prog
resS-mOre powerful than the HelOts of Greece.
or the slaves of Italy, they would soon change
conditions with their masters or put them down
with all the horrors of fire and the sword. 1t is
the power of the free states alone that has hith
erto repressed their resentment and delayed their
fury. The people of the South have shewn no
principle, no motive, but that of interest; by
the extension of involuntary servitude is opened
a market for their slave property in those vast
regions beyond the Mississippi, which is consid-
cred by the Shareholder Of as much importance
as a fine cattle market to the New England far
mer. There is no doubt should interest dictate,
bat the avaricious stakeholder will increase his
stock until it rises in a decupIe proportion to the
free population. This thirst for Incidence and
power is not to cease in individuals; but is only
to receive its check from the wisdom of Govern
ment when that fails we shall be left to that
judgment which was denounced against Egypt,
Assyrla and Babylon, a sure attendant Oh the
dealers in human misery. Nor is this unlikely
to be the case if we consider natural effects
only. The increase of the African race is much
more rapid than that of the people of our coun-
try, and the climate of the Mississippi, so unfa-
vorable to Americans, is well adapted to the
constitution of the Blacks.