Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1854-06-09

and stand upon the Constitution" Istood
upon this ground in 1850, defending Freedom
upon it as Mr. Calhoun defended SLAVERY
was overruled then, and | have waited since
without proposing to abrogate any compro-
lnlses' 1t has been no proposition of mine
no" TO aprogate them but the proposition
mas come from another quarter--from an ad-
verse one. 1t is about to prevail The shift
Ing sands OF Compromise are passing from
under my feet, and they are now, without
agency OF my own, taking hold on the Rock
OF the Constitution. 1t shall be no fault of
mine II they do not remain firm. This seems
10 me auspiclous of better days and wiser le-
gislation. Through all the darkness and
gloom OF the present hour, bright stars are
breaking that inspire me with hope and excite
me to perseverance They show that the day
OF compromises has passed forever, and that
henceiorward all great questions between
Freedom and Slavery legitimately coming
here-and none other can come-shall be de-
cided as they ought to be, upon their merits.
by falr exercise Of legislative power, and
not by bargains of equivocal prudence if not
OF doubtful morality The House of Repre-
sentatives has, and always will have, an in.
orcnsing majority of members from the Free
States On this occasion that House has not
been altogether faithless to the interests Of
the free States for although it has taken
away the Charter of Freedom from Kansas
and Nebraska, it has at the same time told
this proud body, in language which compcls
acquiescencc, that in submitting the question
oil restoration, it would submit it not merely
to interested citizens, but to the suffrages oi
the allen inhabitants of the Territories also
SO the great interests of Humanity are after
all, thanks b. to the House of Representa-
tives and thanks to God, submitted to the
voice OF human nature. Sir, | see one
more sign of hope. The great support Of
Slavery in the South has been its alliance
with the democratic party of the North -
BY means ofthat alliance, it obtained paramount,
influence in this Government about the year
$500, which from that time to this with hut
few and slight interruptions, it has maintained.
While Democracy in the North has thus been
supporting Slavery in the South the people of
the North have been learning more profoundly
the principles of rcpublicanism and of free
government. 1t Is an extraordinary cmcum-
stance, winch you, Sir the present occupant of
the Chair (Mr. Stuart am sure will not rnn-
say, that at this moment, when there seems to
be more complete divergence of the Federal
Government in favor OF Slavery than ever before.
the sentiment of universal Liberty is stronger
III all the Free States than it ever was before.
With that principle the present Democratic
party must now come into closer contest.
Their prestige Of Democracy is fast waninr by
reason Of the hard service which their alianc,
with their slavcholdng brethren imposed upon
them. | see in that circumstance, and IN the
fact that they are brought by supporting the
interests of the slave labor OF the South IN the
new Territories, IN opposition to the free labor
els Of the North IN the new Territories and
States, that they are losing, and are de slned to