Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1854-05-12
VERMONT POLITICS.

hostility to " sectional party" or n North
ern party, and persists in booking us for
party of that sort, in common with our wor-
thy friends of the Vermont Tribune and the
Springfield Telegraph. Says the Inquirer;
"They call for a Northern anti-slavery
party. pledged against maintaining the Com
promises of the Constitution, and important
parts of the Compromise measures Of 1857
and 1920. The restoration Of fugitive slaves
is provided for in both the above named
Compromise measures, as well as in the Com
stitution itself; and the Northern party ask
ed for must, Douglas-llke, not only at
tempt to repudiate important features of
those Compromises, but likewise pledge it.
self to nullify the Constitution"
Our free soil friends can answer for them
selves For owsey we remark that the edi-
tor of the Inquirer has read the Waterman
to little purpose If he does not know thai
sectionalism and bad faith are in our sight
denominations. These indeed constitute the
very essence Of the Nebraska outrage. Its
designs sectional in every spect-stealing
from the section of Freedom to add to the
section of Slavery,-and the attempted theft
is in violation Of every Compromise, from ~
down. Now we do not hesitate to say, that
if this Pro-Slavery sectionalism can only be
resisted by the sectionaism of Freedom, let
it be SO resisted. The sectionalism that has
Freedom and Humanity on its side is better
than the sectionalism of Slavery. If the
South is to array itself on the side of Slave
re- than Lot tho North eta nd all tho fr,nor ia
Freedom. The Northern man, who cannot
see that to be his duty in such a contngen-
cy, 10 either coward or traitor. We speak
Of contingency that may require section
al or Northern party but we trust that con-
tngency never will occur. We trust that
the South the best men in the South--will
resist this Pro-Slavery Sectionalsm, and
maintain their plighted faith. We trust that
the party, which is to resist and overcome the
popagandists of Slavery, will be national,
not sectional conservative not revoutiona.
ny; for the Union, not against it and we do
not doubt that it must be preeminently con-
stitutional and faith-keeping party. Our first
suggestion, when the Register spoke of a
great Republican party of the North and
the Tribune of new organization, were
entirely in accordance with this. We indi-
good men, North and South, could stand to
resist Slavery Propagandism; but, if this
were impracticable, we would have the
North united for efficient service in the same
good work Now really we beg to ask the
Inquire whether ii is for resisting the Prop
agandists of Slavery or not If it is, what
kind of resistance does it propose We
may be mistaken altogether, but our impress
sion IS that il the extension Of Slavery is to
be prevented, il will require the hearty CO.
operation and the best work of all who are
opposed TO it, We will go farther: our
opinion is that the North alone cannot per.
form this work. Her power is adequate, il
IT could be concentrated to this one point =
1t is not certain, however that this can be
done certainly it Is not safe to rely upon it,
while the Democratic party of the North is
aliel to an admin stration that throws all its
patronage and power into the scale of Slave
ny. Then, as the Inquire, justly fears, If the
country should be divided into two sectional
pIrties---the North against the South,--it il
quite likely that DlsunI on would be the re.
suit Of such sectional conflict, and Slavery
would be limited only where Southern power
itself shall nd limit We desire no such
conflict or result, though If such a conflict
comes in our day, we intend to be on the
right side in il. For the sake of success
then, 10 resisting the extension of Slavery
and for the sake of the Union, we desire Il
cooperate as far as possible with all South
ern men who are equally opposed to Slavery
Propagandism and Disunion. While The
stern anti-slavery spirit of the North should
be carefully nourished and distinctly expires
sed, to check and counterbalance the pro
slayeryism Of the South, Northern politicians
should present no issue which viii not COM
mand the respect and appeal 10 The con
science of candid and patriotic men Of the
South. Such men there are at the South
many, and we suppose by far the most, in
the Wing party of the South, though the
Democracy has at last produced an illustri-
Gus aud respondent example in the venera-
be Ex Senator from Missouri. He has in
Dictated the programme for the politicians
Resistance to Slavery Propagandisis-R
spcct for the Compromises Of the Constitu.
tion. The first is in accordance with the
principles and feelings of all anti-slsvery
men, and may be vigorously prosecuted
However rePugnant the last may be to theil
sentiments. the duty is unavoidable word
Is to the Fugitive Slave law. We acknowl.
edge and respect the prohibition of the Con-
stitution upon the states as to fugitives As
John Quincy Adams said Of another COM
promise I'VE are sorry for it,. but it is in
the bond Let Congress respect the provis-
ions Of the same instrument on the habeas
corpus and trial by jury. The law is abom-
Unable ia its features, though constitutional
in lis purpose. Once we were for repeal,
but the occasion is gone, and we confess thai
now we do not care copper about il. II il
dead as dead as Douglas" A more rea.
sonable, humane and constitutional Law
would catch more fugitive slaves. We have
no desire to have them caught our sympa-
thies b,Ing altogether in the other direction.
III slasaowners wish otherwise, let them get
up as decent an act OF Congress as the sub
ject siu admit We do not think that the
furlh Is bound 10 take the initiative in that
business nor that 1t Is good policy TO make
mach noise about il.