Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1854-07-28

!, OF her slave labor. A simple, quiet
n Northern resolution not to use the
products of slave labor, in which
England would join of her own ac-
!, cord, would prove disastrous to the
South in three years while it would
hardly affect the North, except in
the change of cotton machinery
with woollen and would at the
same time, open to her new and ex-
tensive sources of industry and
wealth in the growing of wool and
flax, and in the production of sugar.
Such a change might be, in the
end, for the substantial interests of
the North while it would ruin the
South, and raise up flourishing bu-
siness colonies on the Western coasts
of Africa, and in the interior of In
dia. | say not this nd terrorem, or
because L wish il. | have no III
will to the South of any kind. But
there are the facts, and they are I'M
deniable. Such are the principles
and feelings of the North, from the
judge on his bench, to the maiden in
her dance, and the child with its
toys, that they would make almost
any personal sacrifice to do away
the evils of slavery from the land
they love.
Now can it be good policy for the
South, thus situated, to press upon
the North by vote of Congress,
fluctuating body, measures opposed
to established policy, contrary to
the Constitution measures, against
which humanity and liberty cry out
the world over, and which are strong
ly repugnant to the principles and
conscientious feelings of the North.
Another point of impolicy lies here
The passage Of tie Nebraska bill
forms high precedent for intrud-
ing injurious and ofenSire meas
ureS, connected aoiM sLaUgy, on one
part Of the nation By uote Of TIE
other. May not the day come when
this precedent will be turned against
the South. She is not beyond its
reach. A part of her slave States
do not rest on constitutional basis,
but only on wrong legislative acts.
Notwithstanding the constitutional
declarations, prohibiting slavery,
have been disregarded in the admis-
sion of slave States, and is now in-
tended to be forever swept away by
the doctrine of popular Sovereignty,
as applied to slavery in the Nebras-
ka bill, IL may not be so. The Con-
stitution may yet be vindicated, and
may come up and hold proper con-
troll over Congress in this, as well as
IN other matters. If the North should
unite, and send her cool, high-min-
ed, unyielding men to Congress,
who would stand on the Constitu-
ton, come what may, the aspect of
things would be greatly changed.
Congress and the nation are aware
of the great power of presidents,
in all judicial and legislative mat
tiers specially of high presidents
at the fountain head of the authori-
" of a great nation. In the march
of progress, in the defence of the
Constitution, it is by no means GER
tain that the greatest political con-
sequences may not flow from a sin
gle precedent. High, legislative
presidents are the property of the
world. They are the inheritance of
coming generations. They ride on
the cycle of ages, and guide the
car of empire for good or i'll, long
after the spirits which evoked them
have ceased to trouble the world
The recorded acts and presidents of
a nation cast their shadows on the
future, too dimly to be seen at first.
They have sort ofprophetic mean
ing, which only the future can de-
velop, and understand. What is
written on the records of the SEN
ate chamber, forms a high legisla-
tive precedent for doing away a
time-honored national compact be-
tween the North and South, conner-
ted nth Slavery. 1t would be no
strange thing if il should tell on the
history of the nation, and on the
future history of slavery, in way
that was not intended.
The Nebraska bill seems special
ly impolilic for the South, in
the manner of its support. Its adj
vocacy produced a fusion of all po-
litical parties at the South, into one
great party, organized under the bill.
TO extend slavery, and thus TO OPP
pose and beat down the well-known
principles and feelings of the North.
| ask the Hon. Senators, advocates
of the bill, if they believe, in their
sober judgment, this is wisdom on
the part of the South. Are the
South ready to meet the North, on
the Constitution, on the floor of
Congress, anywhere, everywhere,
on the one naked question of slave
ry in the United States specially
its extension over free soil ? Do
they desire it 7 Have they coolly
counted the cost Have they cal
culated what would become oftheir
slave population in the clashing of
light against darkness, of truth a.
gainst error, offreedom against bon
dage, and if the nation should rouse
up to this mighty conflict, perhaps
in the end, of foe against foe If
not, why provoke the contest 7 Ev-
cry man of the smallest political