Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1854-03-23
THE LANDMARK OF FREEDOM.
SPEECH or CHAS. SUMNER
In the U S. Senate, Feb 2lst, 1851.
A gainst the Repeal of the Prohibition of
slavery North Of Thirty-six Degrees
thirty Minutes.

| In the u. S. Senate, req 1lA, loof.
Against the Repeal of Of the Prohibition h of
Thirty Minutes
CONCLUDED.
II. Mr.. President, it is not only as an infrac-
ton Of solemn compact, embodied in ancient
law, that arraign this bill. | arraign it also
as fragrant and extrayagant departure from
the original policy of our fathers, consecrated
by their lives, opinions, and acts.
And here. sir, bear with me in o brief racital
of unouestionabe facts. At the period of the
Declaration of Independence, there was upwards
of half a million of colored persons in slavery
throughout the United Colonies. These unhap-
py people were originally stolen from Africa, or
were the children Of shoso who had been stolen,
and. though distributed throughout the whole
country. we're to be found in largest number in
the Southern States. But the spirit of freedom
then preyailed in the land. The fathers of the
Rcpublc, leaders in the war Of Independence,
were struck with the Inconsistency of an appeal
for their own liberties, while holding in bondage
their ftllow-men, only "guilty of skin not
colored like their own" The same conviction
animated the hearts Of the people, whether at
the North or South. In a town meeting, at
Danhury, Connecticut, held on the 10Th of De-
ccmbcr, 1918, the following declaration was
made
" 1t is with singular pleasure we note the
second article of the Association, in which it is
agreed to import no more nogro slaves, as we
cannot but think it q palpabe absurdity so
loudly to complain Of attempts to enslave us
while we are actually enslayng others. Am.
Archires, eth Series, Vol I, p 1898"
The South responded in similar strains. At
Il meeting in Darien, Georgia, in l77j. the fol-
lowing important resolution was put forth .
" To show the world that we are not inhu-
enced by any contracted or interested motives,
but by general philanthropy for all mankind,
OF whatever climate, language, or complexion,
nc hcreby declare our d'sopproJation and abhor-
renee Of The unnatural practice Of SlarGy, chow
ever the uncultvated state Of the country Or
spccious arguments may plead for it( practice
.joundcd in injustice and crmIy, ndhigh'yd dan
ecrous to oar liberties as ,oeH as hres, dclasing
part Of oW tcHow-crcatureS JclOW men, and cor
rupting the rirtue and moraIs Of the rest, and
laying the basis of that liberty we contend for
aud which we pray the Almighty to continue to
the latest posterity, upon very wrong iounda-
ton We therefore resolve at all times to use
oar almost cndenors for he manumiSsion Of our
slaves in tlis colony, on the most safe and equit-
able footing for the masters and themselves. -
Am. Archircs, 4M Series, Vol. l, p. 1885"
The soul OF Virginia, during this period, found
also feryid utterance through Jefferson. who,
by precocious and immortal words, has enrolled
himself among the earliest abolitonists of the
country In lis address to the Virginia Con
ycntion of l774, he openly ayowed, while vindi-
eating the rights of British America, that the
abolition of domestic slavery is the greatest OBJ
iect of desire in these Colonies, 'rhcre it acas IN
happily introduced in thar infant stdte," Ant
then again, in the Declaration of Independence
he embodied sentiments, which, when practical
ly applied, will give freedom to every slave STATE
! in the land. ''We hold these truths to be self
evident" says our country, speaking by th'
voice ~ Jefferson, that all men are create,
equal that they are endowed with certain In
aliepable rights; that among these are life, lib
crly, and the pursuit of happiness" And again
in the Congress Of the CONFEDERATION, he brough
forward, as early as 1884, resolution to ex
cludes lavcry from all the territories @ cedcd o
to be eeded by the States Of the Federal Gov
ernmcnt including the whole territory nov
covered by Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama
Lost at first by single vote only, this measure
was renewed in a more restricted form at IL sub
sequent day, by son of Massachus etts, and, i!
1887, was finally confirmed in the Ordinance o
the Northwestern Territory, BY unanimop
vote of the States.
Thus early and distinctly do we discern tn
Ant-Slavery character of the founders of ou
Republic, end their determination to place tn
National Government, within the sphere of it
. | r,oI, ~
on the side Of Freedom.
The National Constitution was adopted il
1888. And here we discern the same spirit
+ The emphatic words of the Declaration Of Inde
pendcnce, which our country took upon it's lip
as baptismal VOWS, when it claimed its plac
among the nations Of the earth, were not for
gotten. The preamble Of the Constitution re
news them, when it declares its object to be
among other things, to establish justice, t
promote the general welfare, and to secure tn
blessings of Liberty to ourselves and posterity.
THIS, according to undeniable words, the Con
stituton was ordained not to establish, s c.,rl
OF senction slavery-not to promote the spc"il
interest of slavcholders--not to make SLAYER
national in any way, form or manner-not t
foster its great wrong, but to establish justice
a -" promote the general welfare and - secur
T. the blessings of Liberty" The discreditabl
words Stare and Slarery were not allowed
II to find place in this instrument, while claus
s was subsequently added by way Of amendment
h and, therefore, according to the rules of inter
i. pretrtion, particularly revealing the sentiment
Of the founders, which is calculated, like th
: Declaration Of Independence, if practically al
ID piled, to carry Freedom to all within the sphel
:, Of its influence. 1t was specifically declared
e that "no person shall be deprived of life Hber,
u OR property without due process Of law" thi
~ is, without due presentment, Indictment,
y other judicial proceeding. Here is an expire
4 guard of personal Liberty, and an express inte
!. diet upon its invasion anywhere within the nj
q tional jurisdiction.
= 1t is evident from the debates of the Nation
d Constitutions that slavery, like the slave trad
e was regarded as temporary and it seems
have been supposed by many that they won
l. both disappear together Nor do any wor
:: employed in our day denounce it with an indi
IT nation more burning than those which glow
h on the lips of the Fathers. Early in the Co
d vention, Governor Morris, of Pennsylvani
!. broke forth in the language of an abolitionis
II " He never would concur in upholding domest
Il Slavery. 1t was nearious institution. 1t W
e the curse of Heaven" In another mood ,and wi
IN mild, juridical phrase, Mr.. Madison thong
e it wrong to admit in the Constitution the id
Il of property in man." And Washington,
~ letters written near this period-which col
. pletely describe the aims of the aboltionist.
10 avowed d" that it was among his first wishes
til see some plan adopted by which Slavery may
ID abolished by law,h and that to this end :" h
in suffrage should not be wanting
" In this spirit was the National Constitute
adopted. In this spirit the National Governme
was first organized under Washington AL
W here there is a fact of peculiar significance,
a which have already on q former occasion call
,d attention, but which is well worthy of perpeet
n al memory. AT the time that this great chi
y, VI took his first oath to support the CONSTITUTE
ed OF the United States the national ensign nowhe
he 'nith'n the national Tereitory eorered a sins
in siane. On the sea an execrabe piracy, the ira
he In slaves, was still, to the national scandal t