Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1854-07-14
FRIDAY, JULY IA, 1854.

w nupJtCtluu W dnOtiltI pOWcI,
would. at that time, have been one
of the most absurd things, and one
of the greatest political humbugs
ever recorded in the history of the
world. But there was another kind
of liberty it was most important to
secure. Slavery existed in some of
the States. The nation at large,
both at the north and the south,
were opposed TO it in principle
The statesmen, except in the two
Carollnas and Georgia, were yet free
from its corrupting influence. They
denounced it. They saw and felt
It's Inconsistency with our free insti-
tutions, as we'll as its political and
and positive evils. They desired to
stay the increasing tide of slave pop
ulation which was sweeping away
the sources of wealth, perverting the
manners, and corrupting the morals
of the people. Above all, they
wished to prevent its further spread.
Colonel Mason, of Virginia, said, in
words already quoted, 81 hold it
essential IN eUery point u uie,o, that
the General Government should
have power to prevent the increase
Of sidUery" To secure personal
liberty IN opposition to slavery was,
then, one of the great ends for which
the Constitution was formed. Ii is
impossible to attach any other mean
ing to this clause without denying
The whole national and legislative
history of the age, together with
the well-Anown and strongly ex-
I pressed sentiments of the fathers of
the Constitution. This clause may
be overlooked /; it may be disregar-
ded when understood. But the
meaning here attached to it can nec-
er be diSprOved. Here it stands, in
its own simple majesty, like a pyra-
mid of ancient days with light pour
ed around it by the Declaration OF
Independence, by the Revolutions
ry war, by the ordinance of the
Northwestern Territory, by nearly
/ every historical fact of the age, and
by the burning words and the gush-
/ ing eloquence of the Masons, and
Martins, and Dickinsons, and Madi-
sons, who formed it, and sent it
forth TO the world to speak their
high behests when their living vol
ces no longer controlled the coun-
ellis of the nation. The Constitu-
ton, by its own declaration, was a
dopted, to secure the blessings of
personal liberty to that and coming
generations not to send slavery
with her wrongs and her broken
hearted lamentations, Tapping hel
dark wing down the lapse of time
to blast the visions of childhood anC
to wlther the household joys of a
ges on ages, to be born in the dis
tant future. BY it our political ia
theirs intended to throw up from tn,
fires OF liberty, burning and heavinl
IN THEW own boso.4s around IA
slave States, an adamantine rock
ribbed coast, which should say {,
the inrushing pillows of servitude
hitherto shalt thou come, and II,
further" Their plan was simpl,
and grand ; to build an impossible
barrier around the dark foe of iber
ty, and to smother him in his owl
resting place. Shall the youthful
statesmen of a coming age crusf
their lofty aspirations, and throw
upon them the rebuke of an ill
short-sighted policy! think bu
few in the south will do it. A few
spirits of the north, regardless o
constituency and of self-lnterest
may do it, The Honorable Senat,
have done what they hare DONE
But the north herself, amid the gran,
deur of her mountains and the beau
ty of her gushing streams, will ex
alt their wisdom, and spread abroad
their far-seelng patriotism.
To be continued.