Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1854-03-23

WhClo hi"'SAJ obtoAAiy SAiD''N, ~ wa
be confessed that even here there was u descent
from that summit of Freedom on which the Ma
ton had so proudly rested
-"From morn
TO noon he fell from to dewy
4 summers day, and with the setting sun
- Dropt from the zenith, like falling STAR
But. without tracing this downward coarse
through it's successive stages, let me refer to
facts which too palpably reveal the abyss that
has been reached. Early in our history, no man
was disqualified ior public Office by reason OF his
opinions on this subject; and this condition con-
tinued for long period AS late as 1921, John
W. Taylor, Representative from New York, vino
had pressed with 50 much energy mot merely the
prohibition of Slavery in the Territories, but les
restriction in the State of Missouri, was elected
to the chair of Henry Clay, as Speaker OF tne
other House. 1t is needless to add, that no de-
termed supporter Of the Wilmot Proyiso at this
day could expect that eminent trust. An ar
rogapt and unrelenting Gstracism is now applied,
not only to all who express themselves against
Slavery, but to every man who will not be its
mental. A novel test for office mas been intro
duced, which would have excluded all the F.
thers Of the Republic-even Washington JEFF
ferson, and Franklin. Yes, sir; startling it
may be, but indisputablc. Could these illostri-
Gus men descend from their realms above, and
revisit the land which they mad nobly dedicated
to Freedom, they coald not, with their we'll
known and recorded opinions against Slavery,
either of the old political parties. Nor coul1
Gmplar of Judicial virtue--who mated Slavery
as he loved justice-bs admitted to resume those
duties with which his name on earth is indisso-
I'm OIL ~, u,tob in,.,ut ,,,
our Government descended.
These things prepare us to comprehend the
true character OF the charge with regard to the
Territories. In 1880, all the existing national
domain was promtly and unanimously dedicated
to Freedom, without opposition or criticism.
The interdict Of Slavery then covered every inch
Of soil belonging to the. National Government.
Louisiana, an Immense region beyond the bounds
Of the original States, WAS subsequently, ..v-
quired, and, in 1920, after vehement struggle,
which shook the whole land, discounted Free
LON was compelled, by u dividing llnt % :.
PARTITION with Slavery. This arrangem4 llt.w :icn,
in its very terms, was exclusively applicable to
particular territory purchased iroM ir.inc,
has been accepted as tnA! down to the present
session of Congress; but now, sir, here in .o5t,
Freedom is suddenly Summoned to surrender
even her hard-won ppiety. Here are the three
stages; at the first, all is consecragod TO Free
dom; at the second, only half; whilc at the
third all is to be opened to Slavery. Thus is
the original policy Of the Government absolute
ly reversed. Slavery, which, at the beginning,
was sectional Institution, with 10 l0otnOld any
where on the national territory, is now exalted
ns II national Institution, and all Or broad do
main is threatened by it's blighting shadow
Thas much for what have To s4y II. this
time, of the original policy, consscrlted by the
lives, opinions and acts OF our Fathers. sum
moning to my side the majestic forms OF these
,airl heroes, whose tilmness iii council was only
equaled by the trmness OF Washington in
war, might leave the cause in their case Bat
certain reasons are adduced Tor the proposed de-
p,rturo from their great example, and, though
these seem OF little validity, yet | would not
pass them i'll silence.
The Prohibition Of Slavery in the Territories
is assailed, as beyond the power of Congress,
and an infringement OF the local sovereignty.
On this account it is, al this late day, pronounc
Cd unconstitutional. Now, without consider
ing infinitely the sources from which the power
Of Congress over the naton. domain is derived
whether from the express grant in the Con-
stitation to make rules and regulations for the
government of the Territory, or from lie power
necessarily implied to govern territory acq irrd
by conquest OF purchase; it seems TO III. I'M
possible to deny its existence, without inyalidut-
ing large portion of the Legislation OF the
country, from the adoption OF the Consultation
down to the present day, This power was as
snrted before the Constitution. 1t was no. de-
MED or prohibited by the Consultation itself. 1t
has been exercised from the first existence OF the
Government, and has been recognized by the
three departments-the Executive, the LegisIa-
tive, and the judicial. Precedents of every
kind are thick in its support. Indeed, the very
Mll now before US, assumes a control of tine ter
rltory clearly inconsistent with those principles
of sovereignty, which are said to be Violated by
Congressional prohibition Of Slavery.
Here ore provisions, determining the main
features in the Govenment--the distrbution of
powers in the Executive, and Judicial depart
ments, and the manner in which they shall be
respectively notwithstanding to the Presi-
dent, with the consent of the Senate, the ap-
polntment OF the governor. the secretary, and
Tue Judges, and to the people the election of the
leglslature--ordainin the qualification of voters
the salaries of the public officers, and the daIy
compensation of the members of the legislature
Surely, if Congress may establish these provis-
ions, without any interference with the rights
OF territorial sovereignty, it is absurd to saw
that it may not also prohibit Slavery
But there VI in the very bill on express proh
hition on the Territory, borrowed from the Or
dinance OF 1857, and repeated in every act or
ganHlng Territory, Or even q new State. down
to the present time, wherein it is expressly de-
clared, that 'no tax shall be imposed upon the
property of the United States Now, here is
clear and unQuestionable restraint uron the
sovereignty of Territories and States The pub.
lie lands OF the United States, situated within
an organized Territory or State, cannot be re-
garded as the instrument and means necessary
and proper to execute the sovereign power of the
nation, like tortlhcations assenals, and navy
yards. They are; strictly in the nature of pr,-
cate property OF the nation, and as such. un-
less exempted by the foregoing prohibition,
would clearly be within the field Of local taxa
tion liable, like the lands of others propretors,
to all customary burdens and incidents Mr.,
Justice Woodbury. has declared. in IL WELDON
sidered Judgment, that
= Where the United State can land situs ted
within the Limits of particular States, and over
winch they have, no cesson of jurisdiction, for
objects either special Or general, little doubt ex-
lists that the rights and remedies in relation to
It, are usually the same as apply to other land
holders within the State ''--United States VS..
Woodbury. agd Minot, p. 10.
assume, then, that without its pro- ibition
these lands would be liable to taxation. Does
any one question this! Nobody The conclu-
sion then follows that by this prohibition Won
nronnso IN danriya fin ,,so,o,,. n, JO'