Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1854-11-23
LAFAYETTE's WARNING TO AMERICANS.

We need not say that Lafayette was true
and enthusiastic friend Of freedom, and OF
American freedom. His great sacrifices for
our country during her struggle for indepen-
dence proved the ardor Of his sympathy, and
gave him claim to be heard in what relates
to our national welfare. Washington loved
him as brother. When he returned to his
native land to foster there the principles Of
liberty, he watched our fortunes with the deep
est interest, and anxiety and when, alter an
absence of many years, he again visited our
shore, it was with thrilling emotions Of JOY
that he witnessed the magnificent growth of
the Republic The counsel and warning Of
such man ought to be we'll pondered by
American citizens" AMERICAN LIBERTY CAN
BE DESTROYED ONLY BY THE PopisH CLERGY"
Such was his warning. "Likea veteran mar
iner,' says Prof. Morse, the famous inventor
of the telegraph, /" Lafayette was ever watch
ing the political horizon for the indications Of
danger to his beloved America; and tho dan
ger to which his latest warnings pointed was
this very covert political attack which is in
full operation upon our soil at this moment
an attack the more dangerous because it
shields itself under the mask of religion, and
cries out, Persecution at every attempt to
expose its true, its political character" And
he adds in note This declaration of La
fayette was repeated by him to more than one
American. The very last interview which |
had with Lafayette, on the morning of my
departure from Paris, this was written in
1885, full Of his usual concern for America,
he made use of the same warning aud in d
letter which | received form him but few
days after at Havre, he alludes to the whole
snbect with the hope expressed that would
make known tine real state OF things in Europe
to my countrymen; at the same time charging
it upon ms as d sacred duty as an American,
to acquant them with the fears which were
entertained, by the friends of republican lib
erty, in regard to our country. If have la
bored with any success to arouse the attention
of my countrymen to the dangers foreseon by
Lafayette, l oweit ina great degree to having
acted in conformity to his often repeated in
functions"
Surely, such statements, from such source
cannot be passed lightly by. Lafayette knew
whereof no affirmed He had spent his day
among Roman Catholics, he understood the
principles of their religion, the character, tho
intrigues Of their priests, their sympathy with
European despotjsm, and as our friend, having
deeply at heart our good, he lifted up repea-
teddy his voice of warning against the Popish
clergy And with all his enthusiasm, ne was
man Of moderation, who never spoke rashy.
His words Of admonition we're measured
words. The lapse OF twenty years have not
lessened their force or Importance. What
Lafayette foresaw has become in part history.
Let US watch lest it be fuiiled.-INustratcd
An. J0urndl
The SOUTHERN DoorRTNE.-"Popular SOW
ereignty." "Non-interyention" aud such like
gudgeon-catching watch-wordS are the oil with
the Northern Neb rascas expected to make
their treason 60 down the threats of the North
ern people Let us see how the South talk on
the same subject. The Richmond Enquirer,
the ablest Administration paper in the Slave
States says:
awe Of the South contend not simply that
Congress mag, but Congress must legislate re-
specting slavery in the territories, in certain
circumstance, and under certain limitations.
We not only ai!lin the power, but we claim
its exercise, when necessary, as matter Of
right win US, and of duty on the part Of
Congress-.
Slavery Is species of property, and is en-
titled to all the safeguards and securities which
protect other kinds of property. The Con-
stitution recognizes it as property, and Con-
gress, as the supreme legislative authority in
the territories, mast guarantee to it all the
imeuniticS Of property.
Thus, if the Shareholder from the South set
ties in u territory in which there is no adequate
protection to his property against the violence
of the abolitionists, it becomes the duty of
Congress to intcrpose for his security. So
likewise, if there be any artificial barrier of
foreign law which repels slavery from the COM
mon domain, Congress must interpose to re-
more The obstacle.
Hence in 1850, the present Secretary OF
War, then Senator from Mississippi, proposed
that Congress should repeal the Mexican laws
which prohibited slavery in Utah and New
Misunderstanding, nevertheless, as we dc,
that the Constitution proprio rigore effected
their repeal. and carried Slavery into the for
biddsA territory. n n Congress may
interfere to PROTECT siaoery IN the territories.
but to PROHIBIT Il.
NEWS FROM EUROPE.
New York, Nov. l6.
Steamship Asia from Liverpool 4th inst