Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1855-01-04
Far he Grnrn Mountain rreenaa.
MR. KIRKLAND's RESOLUTION.

In the last Resolution prepared by Mr.. Kirk
land and adopted by the late Legislature, on so
much Of the Governors Message as relates to
the repeal of the Missouri Compromise, our del
egatiou in Congress are requested ito use their
influence to keep slavery confined within the
the limits originally fixed by the Constitution"
" hat are we to understand by this language
employed by MIR. Kirkland' If words are to
be regarded as the signs of ideas, we are TO I'M
derstand that the Constitution Originally hxed
and established the limits of slavery. 1t in fact,
the Constitution fred the limits Of sidrery 1t
therefore defines these limits. The idea that
the Constitution fares, but does not define the
limits of slavery, is perfectly absurd. 10 assert
this would be manifest solecsm.
! But does the Constitution either in positive
terms, or by implication, fix a single limit or
boundary to slavery! 1t neither limits slavery
nor authorizes its extension. 1t is silent in rela-
ton to this institution, but expressly guarantees
the blessings Of liberty" to the people of the
United States, Slavery existed in the Colonies
by their legislative enactments, long before the
adoption of the Constitution, or our national
declaration of human rights; the efore, its limits
were not originally fixed, nor was it established
J by the Constitution.
! If the limits of slavery were fred by the
Constitution, it can have no constitutional exist
ence beyond these limits, or if its extension was
was limited by the Constitution, then those States
n which it existed when the Constitution was
adopt d, were its fred limits therefore it would
follow that its extension beyond these limits was
unauthorized BY the Constitution. This is the
most favorable and indeed, the only proper con
cusion that can be drawn from MIX s resolution
Then how is he " to keep slavery within the lin
its originally fixed by the Constitution" without
its abolition in every slave-holding state that has
been admitted into the Union since the adoption
of the Constitution! This may be a difficult and
perplexing question for Mr. X. to settle with his
present views of wha is enormously called the
constitutional limits of slavery. The legal limi
taiion of certain privilege is, in fact, its prohl
bltion beyond such limitation Now unless this
proposition can be successfully controverted, MIR
X. should either abandon his views as expressed
in the resolution in question: or insist upon the
what he calls its constitutional limits. His vague
and improper Interpretation of the Constitution
reminds us of the definition of man by Plato. -
lie defined man il" q tWo-hgged animal withou
feathers." Diogenos, the Cynic, being dissatis
fed with this vague definition. Invested tow
of its feathers, carried it into lyceum under hi
cloak, cas-, it down in the presence of Plato, anc
exc aimed behold Piatos man." There ex
lists as little relation between the express desigr
for which the Constitution was adopted, and the
institution Of slavery, as betw, en- man and fowl
In Mr. KS elaborate report in connection with
his Resolutions, he speaks of our constitutions
obligations to sustain slavery. | acknowledge
no constitutional, or other obligation to sustain
this ubiquitous institution. had rather see tht
Union or our political connection with the Soutl
dsso we'd, than sustained at the expense ant
moral responsibility of slavery. Cesrr preferred
an honorable war to disgraceful peace. ma,
be charged with treasonabe design or in III,
language . tie southern PATRIARCH with rcaso,
against slavery; but would prefer peaceab
dissolution of the Union to that unmanIy an,
serve submission required by the slavocracy =
Gonzalo in The Tempest, on The ocean wonl
give thousand furlongso Of sea for an acre G
barren ground" | would give thousand fur
tory. | would give all the save territory tina
has been acquired by the General Government
: for the cold aud barren territory of Canada wit
the single proviso that it should not be desecra
> ed by the Fugitive Slave Bill. Ash.