Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1852-12-30

possess the constitutional power to conclude
pence by the Total abolition of this accused
system of oppression. And do you think that
Congress will long continue such war WIN
they shoot down those who thus strike for lloer-
y? Or will they not rather consent to return TO
them their God-given rights?
And. sir, would say to our Southern friends,
that when this spirit of liberty shall once be
aroused among the blacks of Cuba they VIII be
very likely to bring the war into Florida, Ala
bama, and other Southern States. Mr. char
man, annex Cuba now, with its present slave
population, and you and may live to see our
slave States devastated by serviIe war; In
deed, am surprised that the eoored population
there have remained supney inactive so long.
These States are at this time suppressed volca
noes, ready to burst forth whenever tho elements
shall become agitated. The annexation Of Cuba
will rock this Union to its centre, and the hid
den flames will find vent. and the fire will extend
until slavery be consumed When that day of
retributive justice shall overtake our Southern
friends, we, sir, will iQterpose. not by shooting
down the victims of oppression, by numbering
those who have been oppressed, wronged and
outraged, but by making pence with them upon
terms of Justice, and admitting them to the en-
joyment of their liberty.
But, Mr.. Chairman, | have spoken of the
peaceful purchase of Cuba and its consequences.
1t is the only mode in which we can obtain it.
We can get it in no other mode. Slavery sits
llky an l1cubus upon our nation, parayzlng all
on? energies, and rendering war with any
powerful nation impoitlc and dangerous. We
cannot go to war for the conquest oil Cuba. And,
sir, from what we learn b. the correspondence
before US, as well as from other sources, Span
will not be likely to sell it to u.s. She has taken
her position on this point and has long maintained
| it She will continue to maintain it. The old
Castillan determination Of purpose will guide
her council in future, ] am. therefore, very
clearly Of opplnlon that we shall not have Cuba
50 bong MS the friends Of Liberty continue to call
public attention to the WRONGS and crimes OF
slavery.
The policy OF the Spanish Government to set
the slaves OF Cuba free IN case Of formidable IN.
yasoB, for5Ids all hope of obtaining it by con-
quest. 1t is now well known that prior to the
Lopez expedition, the Governor-General had
express orders if he found 1t necessary TO de
tend the island, to abolish slavery and put arms
into the hands Of the emancpatGd slaves. Now
sir, our filIlbustering politicians will have No
object in obtaining Cubl, unless they can there
by obtain It with slavery. They fight for Cypress
lon not for freedom. With these facts before
the countrI we shall have no more flbustering
expeditions. Our political lilllbusers will be
reserved for political suftocation
Mr. Chairman, speak my own opinion. NJ
other man is responsible Tor what say. have
gwen so ne attention to this subject, and have
satisfied my own mind, that while the advocate,
of liberty shall continue their efforts tor ice
DOM their struggles for justice to all men, Cub
will not be dnnered. congratulate the friends o
liberty and OF humanity upon the important posi-
ton they have obtained. The very efforts wticI
our opponents said would secure The annexation
, Of Cuba have, under the crcums anccs to whicl
have referred, prevented The preparation o
of that outrage. 1t Is the bold un6nchinp All
tatlon and maintenance OF truth, by political
moral and religious efforts, that has saved u
D from that degradation. Had we, sir, united witt
} the other political parties at the late election
! had we then dlsbanded, there would have bee
S danger of the annexation of Cuba even at tn
price of war and bloodshed.
Bnt we have attained the position which ena
bles us by our efforts to command the respect {
r opponents; and, more especially, has our cours
, commanded the respect Of ourseves-of goo
It men--of the lovers of liberty IN this country
4 and, as humby trust The approval OF Goo
h Slavery can only flourish, it can only exist, j
t the quiet repuse Of peace. 1t cannot conuinu
t amid The storm Of war or the rage OF moral elt
: ments. A II history shows us that slavery cannC
s exist amidst the agitation Of truth Justice
r the great moral antagonism of oppression. The
: cannot exist together. indulge the hope tina
q slavery has reached its Inns that il cannC
il psss beyond its present boundaries, If we renal
true to our purpose and our principles It's prou
e waves already stayed. Cuba must remdit
S attached to the or Iwn OF Spain.
i Yet would say to British and French states
mon that. # They wish to nhtan it los ,l- rs-r.-~
OF establishing liberty there, of giving freedom
to its down-trodden people, let them satisf
. Spain and take the Is and We shall submit
= for the very obvious reason h t. while we bol
our own slave population in subsection, we can
r not enter into a war with those Powers in orde
z to maintain that institution IN Cuba. We. sir
would rather see Cuba free, under British o
} French rule, than see our fellow. nen oppressed
degraded, and ruthIessy murdered under ejhe
Spanish or American authority But il it re
malns subject to Spanish laws, It's final redemIr
ZION is not so tar distant as we have been accus
t toned TO think The employment of Chinese
aborers IN that Island, it is said, the expense o.
carrying on their plantations by the labor o.
these free people from China is less than hall
that Of slave labor. At this time there are saC
to be six thousand Cinnamon on their passage tc
Cuba for the purpose of engaging in the cult
walton of the soil
The laws of Cuba are also more favorable &c
, emancipation than those of our slave States
These circumstances, under the guidance OF
Providence, amid the lights and intelligence Of
t the present age, are SLOWLY working out the
. redemption OF Cuba, even under the Spanish
rule. Yet It's annexation to this Union would
in my opinion, hasten the overthrow of slavery
both there and in our slave States
The world is moving in favor of liberty Re
dempton to the African race upon this continent
must soon come. trust it will come in peace
hut will add, in The language of our depa,ted
coadjntor, John Quincy Adams, 4" Let it come
If it must come in blood vet say LET RI COME