Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1855-08-16

of either" The state louneii vi teiho'
not acknowledge The truth of this proposition III
| its fullest extent. N
That the American Party has arisen on the
ruins and in spite Of the opposition OF the wing
and Democratic parties, is undeniably true oe'
that it cannot BE held in any manner response
BILE Tor the obnoxious acts or violated pieoSes Vi
either, is equally as untrue. mat tnese par
ties have been the chief instrumeniaieies anu
agencies in fastening upon the Nation tne oo-
noxious acts of slavery cxtensionlsts ana propacc
candists no one acquainted with the pohties VI
our country can doibt.
The American party, if placed in power
would be responsible to the people Tor the re-
pealing of these 6 acts obnoxious" to the spirit
of the Constitution, and making good the vio-
lated pledges of both of these parties, thus
regarding the Constitution as the fundamental
law, and the sacredness of constitutional
pledge to be kept inviolate and intact. Less
than this, would fail to satisfy our own views
of public Justice, and the demands OF an en-
lightened public opinion. Any and all systems
Of political policy that failed to accomplish TINS
result, would only render future contracts OF no
more binding force than a rope OF sand. IL
would 60 far to further undermine the flir
fabric Of national virtue and public faith, Great
ling general distrust in the virtue and integrity
of the people, and laying broad and deep the
foundations for national dishonor and disgrace.
Further, the majority of the National Council
assert {" that the systematic agitation OF the
Slavery question by those parties having elevat-
ed sectional hostility into positive element OF
political power, and brought our institu tions
into peril, it has therefore become the impera-
tive duty of the American party to interfere for
the purpose Of. giving peace to the country, and
perpetuity to the Union" 10 this we yield
hearty assent. But we fail to see how the plat
form of the majority of the National Council
will accomplish the desirable result of giving
peace to the country and perpetuity to the I'm
ion,' when it asserts that that party cannot be
held in any manner responsible for the 6 obnox-
ons acts and violated pledges OF the old parties,
that have in their tendency and result, brought
this " union into peril and created this "sec-
tional hostility"
Slavery has ever been the disturbing element
of this nation Its antagonism to liberty, and
its ceaseess efforts to extend its influence by
bringing new States into this Union with slavery
recognized in their Constitu tions, and building
itself up on the ruins of liberty, has of necessity
created in the minds of liberty loving freemen,
spirit of undying hostility to its further exten
sion and increase Of power. 1t has secured the
passage of g acts obnoxious to the fnndament
al law Of the land, and violated the most solemn
compacts and pledges made by the fathers O
our government; and yet the majority OF tht
National Council tell us we are not in any man
ner responsible for these I" obnoxious acts ant
violated pledges. Rather, should they hav'
told the nation, if they failed of dischargine
their duty to God and the world, if we neglee
doing all in our power 10 repeal acts so obnoxl
, GUS to every sense of public justice and human
ity, so utterly at war with the great principle
' of right and truth, if we neglect to reafirm TIL
! pledges made in good faith and honor, that W
stand before the universe dishonored Of higl
Heaven, and sustaining the disreputable position
t Of a nation at war with the great principles AM
q doctrines Of the Declaration of Independence
' But further, the majority Of the Nationa
;. Council pledge themselves and desire that Yer
> mont should join in that pledge, which is a
: follows Z" The National Council has deemed
: the best guarantee of common justice and futur
i peace to abide by, and maintain the existin
: laws upon the subject of slavery as final an
conclusive settlement Of that subject in spirit
. substance Looking at this pledge, we al
=, led in all candor to ask, if consenting to " vic
: lated pledges and " obnoxious acts" const
tutc the best guarantee ofcommon justice an
i future peace"
G We think rather that speedy return to fir
r principles in humble imitation of the spirit
s the fathers Of the Federal Constitution, carryr
= out its wholesome provisions in the mainte
- ance public honor and good faith, won
y best secure the great ends of" common Justice
81 and establish broad and secure the foundation
e OF future peace and public safety.
# Another proposition contained in the pla
5, form of the majority of the National Counc
4 to wit; L" that Congress possesses no pow
= under the Constitution, to exclude any Sta
;, from admission into the Union, because its Co
" stitution does or does not, recognize the ms
tuition of Slavery as part of the social system
Vermont utterly repudiates. ...
Q The preamble to the Constitution Of Il
4 United States, asserts that the union was fori
: ed to establish justice, insure domestic ira
r quillity provide for the common defence, pr
y mote the general welfare, and secure the bic
= sings of lib rty to ourselves and posterity."-
i To secure all these, the " Constitution W,
S ordained and established
| Section 3 of Article Of the Federal Const
q tuition says, that " now States mag be admittt
. by the Congress into this Union" This lal
! guage implies discretionary power, and tn,
vested in Congress. Congress may, therefor
: for reasons deemed satisfactory, refuse to adm
J. any State into the Union. The Union v
! regard but copurtnership Of States, and viii
/ the general government is supreme in its spher
= and as such independent in its action, yet ii
n States as independent sovereignties have all
IF certain well-defned powers guaranteed to then
= Now the question arises does the system
y Slavery contribute to the general welfare
the nation; does it insure " domestic tranquil
: itv - does it provide for the " common defense
e does it secure the " blessings Of liberty" If
f does, IL State recognizing its existence and pr
h viding for its perpetuity in its Constitution
may be admitted into the Union. But if,
! the Judgment of Congress, it does not, the
y Congress in the exercise of its Constitution
power, may, and should reject the applicable
1t of any such State to become q member of ii
Vt Union.
l. If the doctrine sustained by many of Of
4 most eminent statesmen, among which STAN
!, pre-eminent Mr. Webster, the acknowledge,
expou,4der Of the Constitution, that the confe
Grafton is a partnership of States, is true, it
equally trae that existing partners can at al
II time dictate on what terms II new member ca
, be admitted into this political partnership,
u utterly refuse admission at ALL
;. If Congress is only to ratiiy the doings of al
o State, and admit it into the Union with SUI
/. Constitution as ii may see fit to adopt, why W;
d this discretionary power given them by II
g trainers of the Federal Constitution
g If Slavery embraced the great principles
Republicanisin, and in its practical effect go
= to diffuse and establish such principles then
L State could with right claim admission into ii
y Onion, and be II partner in the same, upon tt
If broad and tenable ground that it was for ii
purpose the Union was established. But us
l.. does not profess to be the handmade Of Republ
It can principles as its existence is but despotisr
e and its inevitable tendency and effect is to veal
is en- the bonds of the Union, and render liber
/, less secure, and bring Odium upon Republics