Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1854-07-07
Dissolution of the Union.

For our own part, we do not think that the |
application of the Wilmot Proviso to all ter |
r;tory belonging to the country, or the repeal
Of the Fugitive Slave Law, or the abolition |
of Slavery in the District OF Columbia, or |
all three of these measures combined, would /
do any essential injury to the interests of
the slaveholdng States. and we certainly |
would not have the South withdraw from the |
Union on account of the adoption Of them
by the North, If we should see good reason
for believing or trusting that the North in
adopting them did not act with the design to
insult or exasperate. But, if il should be
evident that the object of the North was to
use the force of numbers for tie gratfca-
ton of plque and resentment against the
South, to wound and lacerate her feelings
and sensiblltles. and to tyrrsnize over her,
we would have her dissolve the Union at
once, no matter how terrible the consequent
ces might be or how soon they might come.
And is there spirited man North or
South who will not say in his heart that this
would be right - LouisrWe ky.) Journal.
The journal has opposed the Nebraska
bill, and perhaps may not represent fairly
the sentiments of the friends OF the measure.
We trust, however, there are many South
ern men who agree with the Journal that the
refusal Of Congress to permit the extension
Of Slavery, and even the abolition Of it in
federal territory, would not be good cause for
dissolution of the Union. We trust, in
word, that the Union is of more consequence
than Slavery, and that the friends of the I'm.
ion are stronger than the friends of Slavery.
So it was when the Constitution was adopt
ed. The non extension and ultimate extinc-
ton of Slavery tccre points agreed upon by
the trainers Of The Constitution. The Nortl
and the South were agreed on those point;
they came into the Union on that platform.
/ With all the causes for estrangeuent-wit
all the provocations-the injus;ice--tbe per
/ idy--and the insults which have attended
the Nebraska outrage, the people OF the
North stand simply upon the gnund Of the
trainers of the Constitution We judge that
they are ready and anxious TO sand by The
Union as Il icas nay, that the will insist
upon that, and be content with nothing less.
They will labor for that, vote for that and
support nobody who does not 70 for that
and by the favor Of God upon he efforts Of
lhe earnest and patriotic, the next Congress
of the United States will have working
( majority of fearless men, pledged irrcyoca-
bly, to the Union, as Il ,cGs. Kentucky will
be false to her great and noble Statesman,
and false to herself, if she does rot stand by
the Union as Il ioas. Who, tlon, will at
tempt to dissolve the Union and why p
/ Nobody, we upprehend but slayccrats--and
for no other reason than because they are
unwilling to remain in the Union on the con
ditions upon which 1t was originally formed.
There are doubtless such men Mt the South:
but 1t il to be hoped that they are too few IN
uumber to be formidabIe-too few to require
any interference for the protection of the
Union. by any power outside Of the States
in which they live
The Journal very much mistakes the TEN.
+ per Of the North if it suppo.cs there Is any
unliiendly ssnrruent TO the people Of the
South, or any purpose contemplated other
than to redeem the land from the curse Of
Slavery, just so far as that can constitution
ally be done. This is regarded as matter
Of conscience, OF right, of duty and so far
from being undertaken out Of any feeling Of
revenge or hostility, the prevailing sentiment
of the North is that slavery is the chief
burden, the deadly bane OF the south, and
Frcedom--as the foundation for every other
thing that is exccllent-is the one ihing
neediu.n Even now, excited as the people
g tho North ceriai,,ls arc ihny wou nnder-
stand that the Nebraska outrage was never
asked by The people Of the South and their
indignation is justly meied out to the origin
alters and perpetrators Of the outrage the
hottest and largest share to Northern dough-
faces.
The National Era cleyerly exposes the
" non-interyeulion with slavery" pretenee
as follows
II this gentlemen, with a gang Of confed
crates should cut the levee Of the Nisslssip -
pi and Inundatc a city in hopes of getting
the "spoils' winch might be seized IN the
distraction and obstruction If the inhabitants
he wonld probably make the following de-
, fence -
f Dougias-May il please your Honor, | did
not bring in the water.
Judge You admit that you cut the levee
Dougias-Yes, your honor, but didn'
touch the water, never touch cold lcater.
It's fundamental principle with me,
not to interfere with IT,
Jadge-Prsoner, such Quibblng is a con-
tempt Of court. II seems incredible from a
person who has occupied the high stations
3. which the people of Illinois have conferred
upon you. DO not imagine that will helf
You. 1t aggravates your offence, and viii
! aggravate YOUR punishment.
I Dougias-May II please your honor, there
is no occasion for the excitement and agita-
ton which have been got up about this affair
/ lfthis is a sovereign State, you have an I'M
questionable right to leglslate the water out
forthwith. If is a territory, you have only
to wait till you become a State, and then
you may ladle it out, or let il stay in, Just as
the people please, agreeably to /" the great
, fundamental principles Of democracy and
self government" | see no ground for this
+" charge" against me and other honorable
gentlemen. Ne have not troubled the wa
ters-it is those who are padding in them
Judge-Let the prisoner be committed, to
take his trial in November.
To HHslIa.a and "oDLsnscto