Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1854-04-27


ResoIued, That copies of these Resolutions be
forwarded to each OF the Representatives. in Con-
gress from this State, (and to Senators Bell and
iousron.) as the solemn, earnest and deliberate
protest oil the people of Addison County against
the abrogation of the Missouri Compromise, by
the passage of the Nebraska and Kansas bill !;
and that they b. requested to use all lawful and
proper means to secure its defeat.
| LETTER OF MR.. BARBER.
Middtebury, March 20, 1854.
DEAR SIR Having been absent from home
when the call for the meeting, which assemblies
in this place tomorrow, was issued, was not
informed as TO the time appointed for it to be
holden, and have made an -eagaganent which,
.aucn 70 my regret, will prevent my attending
| trust the meeting will beone which will attest
the interest when che people OF this communi-
ty feel, in opposition to piece of political
treachery and knavery that stands without a
parallel On the records Of any natrn. On such
an occasion, and with reference to such sub
jcct, let all parry divisions and animosities be
nusned, and let all speak as American citizens,
Jealous tor the principles upon which the Re
puDEc rests, and Jealous that the power OF the
government shall not be used, in any form, to
promote the spread Of an institution 80 atr0clous
In Is character as the institution of Slavery. 1t
Will be especially appropriate that the citizens
OF Mlddltoury and lis vicinity should speak
Language OF stern opposition to the measure
whlcn aDolishes the law Of freedom for vast
domain, and should speak, also, stern rebuke
to him WHO stands before the world as its au-
thor and foremost champion. Middlebury once
counted him among her residents, in his youn-
ger days, and Middlebury should not by her ST.
lence, or even by Il feeble and luke-warm re-
monstrance, give countenance to the inlamy
That he ever learned in her schools and among
her citizens, the rudimcnts Of political philos-
ophy OF morality, which could sanction the yio-
lduon OF solemn compact for the advancement
OF the interests Of human bondage over the in
terests of human freedom. Her mechanics
snould say to him, that he is poor political
cabinet maker, who attempts to veneer the solid
hickory OF free territory, with the ebony Of
slavery, more especially, if, using dough instead
OF glue, no expects his work to stand the storms
OF popular discussion and the hot breath of pub
lie indignation.
The more contemplate the measure which
this meeting is called to oppose, the more Him
liable do the outrages upon humanity which lie
hid in its bosom appear. That it seeks to vio-
our fathers and acquiesced in by them and their
descendants until now, affords sufficient grounds
for resistance to its consummation. That it
aims to open the door, now closed, to the ingress
Of tyranny and oppression, into d territory,
magnificent in its extent and in the fertility of
its soil, and the salubriolsness of its climate,
should stamp IL with the reprobation Of every
intelligent and honest American. But these
objections are by no means the most formidable
Ones which can be urged against its passage.
If the repeal Of the Missouri Compromise should
not induce d single STAKEHOLDER to enter the bor-
ders of Nebraska and Kansas, with his human
chattels--if it be conceded, that slavery is ex-
cluded from them by an ordinance of God, ex-
hibited in their climate and in that g physical
geography " which, 1t is said, erects an impass-
able barrier against its advances, would this
m sasure then be one, which was not fraught
with incurable mischieis to the Republicl No.
In my opinion, the Shareholders do not so much
desire its passage, for the purpose Of occupying
these territories, with their "peculiar institu-
tion,' as to establish a principle in American
Legislation, which will be sure to give them the
control of the government in the future. 1t is
f hidden in the womb of time, if not written on
the pages of that s. manifest destiny " of which
we hear 50 much and which has 50 many, disci-
pies, that the warm and fertile plains of Cuba
and the inviting and salubrious regions of Mex
leo, will yet, and probably within the lives Of
the present generation, fall into the embrace Of
this Republic. The comparatively weak and
, inefficient race which now controls those coun.
tries, will be swallowed up by the mighty wave
Of Anglo-American population which is now
rolling over this continent. resistessly, in every
direction. The Eagle of American power will
= inevitably spread his conquering wing over all
= these countries, and the simple question which
concerns rs, as guardians Of the free principles
bequeathed Us by our fathers s--Shall our en-.
blem Bird when he wings his victorious
flight over these lands be the herald of free in
situations and blessings Of liberty, or shall ht
carry i'll his taons, the gives and cofles Of slave
ry, as tokens OF his power and benifcence! Lei
this Nebraska bill pass and we shall witness the
latter alternative. Repeal the Missouri Compro
miso-estabish the principle that Congress shall
not exercise its power, to prevent the introduce
u ton of slavery into territories belonging to the
government, and that new States SHALL be ad
: mtted into the Union, :" with Or without slave
. ry," as they shall deem best, and the scppter Of
freedom has departed from the hands of oul
: law-g ivers, and the era of the uncontrolled do
e minion of the slave power is inaugurated. In
. voluntary seryitude will then 90 where no ordi
nance Of Heaven, either written or unwritten
and no barrier Of climate, soil and productions
will be interposed to check its extension War
conquest and slavery will follow in quick sue
cession, until the stars and stripes are known on
ly as the ensigns of power which rests upon the
PROSTATE liberties of its uncounted victims
: May God, and earnest, fearless, firm, and free.
dum-oving men prevent such catastrophe
to the hopes and happiness Of the human race
. Resistance to a scheme pregnant with such
consequences, should arouse the most generous
impulses Of our natures, and call forth the no
: blost exhibitions of patriotic endeavor for oul
country and our kind. tsinks into nsignif
lance all the party diferences.p of the day, ant
should concentrate the efforts Of all, especially
G New England men, in defence of that policy
(, adopted by the founders of the Republic, botl
North and South, which, if carried out as the,
commenced it, would make freedom and free in
situations, the great national interest to be fos
9 tered and sustained, and slavery sectional anC
!. odious interest not to be promoted or, in an,
. way, encouraged or extended. trust that tn,
D present rapacious and insolent attitude of tbt
. slave power, acting through its northern tool
and lackeys, in and out of Office will awaken
: the people of the free States to proper appre
+ citation of the necessity of purgng the halls o
Congress of the renegades to their wishes anC
their will which now nfest them, and of plac
: ing those there, in their steads, who will follow
: in the footsteps of Washington, jefferson, Ham
7 ilton, Franklin, Madison, Jay, and their com
peers, and by SO doing, give security to freedom
i and IN tho onunfrv rap,so