The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1855-08-01

anu COUCfNStte SettfeNtP'L OF tnat SUBJECT
in spirit and substance Looking at
this pledge, we ate led in all cahdor to
ask, if conaehting to violated pledges {"
and "obnoxious acts.n constitute the
best guarantee of common justice and
future peace ?"
We think rather that speedy return
to first principles in humble imitation Of
the spirit of the fathers Of the Federal
Constitution, cafrying out its wholesome
provisions in the maintenance of public
honor and good faith, would best secure
the great ends Of common justice" anu
establish broad and secure the founda-
tions Of future peace and public safety.
Another proposition contained in the
platform of the majority of the National
Council to wit " that Congress possess.
cs no power under tho Constitution, to
exclude uny State from admission
into the Union, because It's Consii-
tuition does, or docs not, recognize the
institution of Slavery as a part of the
social system" Vermont utterly rcpudt-
0teS
The preamble to the Constitution of
the United States, asserts that tho union
was formed 10 establish justice, insure
domestic tranquility provide for tie com.
mon defence, promote the general vel
fare, and sectfo the blessings of liberty
to ourselves and posterity." To secure
all these, the Constitution was ordain.
CD and established"
Section 3 of Article Of the Federal
Constitution says that "new States mdy
be admitted 10y the Congress into tliis Tn
lon" This language implios discretion.
nry power, aud that vested in Congress.
Congress may therefore, for reasons
deemed satisfactory, refuse to admit any
State into the Union. The Union we
regard but copartnersbip Of States, and
while the general government is supreme
in as sphere, and as such independent in
its action, yet the States as independent
sovereignties have also certain we'll dc6n-
ed powers guaranteed to them. Now
the question arises does the system of
Slavery contribute to tho general wei
fare " of the nation does it insure do.
mestic tranquility !" does it provide for
the common defense does il sccil+o
the blessings of liberty 7" it does,
State recognizing it's existence and pro-
viding for its rorpctuity in its Constitu
tion, may be admitted into the Uuion
But if, in the judgment Of Congress, it
docs not, then Congress, in the exercise
Of its Constitutional power may, and
shouM reject the application of nny such
State to become member of tue Union,
If the doctrine sustained BY many of
our most eminent statesmen. among
which stands prc.cmincnt Mr.. Webster,
the acknowledged expoundcr of the Con.
stitution, that the confederation is a
partnership Of States, is true, it is cguai-
/y true that existing partners can at any
time dictate on what terms a new mem.
ber can be admitted into this political
partnership, or utterly refuse admis-
sim at all
If Congtess is only to ratify the do
ings Of any State, and admit it into tie
Union with such Constitution as it may
see fit to adopt, why was this discretion
airy power given them by tho trainers Of
the Federal Constitution
If Slavery embraced the great princi.
pies of Republicansm, and in its practi-
cal effect goes to diffuse and establish
such principles, then a State could with
right claim admission into the Union,
and be partner in the some, upon tho
broad and tenable ground that it was for
this purpose the Union was established.
But aa it does not profess to be the hand.
maid of Republican principles. as its ex.
istence is but despotism, and It's inevita.
bic tendency and effect is to weaken tho
bonds Of tue Union, aud render liberty
less secure, and bring odium upon
Republican government, Congress co,.-
nat admit any such State to the benefits
and blessings of tho common Union,
without gross violation Of the Consti.
tuition and infictiug permanent injury
upon the great principle Of Republican
Liberty.
Vermont refuses to give in her adhe-
sion to this majority report, upon the
ground that it would "pave the way for
the admission Of Slave States from ter
ritoty forever dedicated to freedom, by
a solotnu national compact of thirty four
years duration )" also, thSt all future ter.
.itory acquired by conquest, cession or
purchase, would be brought into the I'm.
ion as States, with Slavery AS part Of
their social system" thus gradually
moulding our nstionsl existence and
character FROM that of freedom and free
institutions, to that of bondage aud op
preston. We proceed to consider an.
other proposition contained ip the plat
form Of the majority Of the Nationaf
Council, aud fioti which tho Vermont
State Council utterly dissent 1t dc.
clares that it is the sense Of this Ma.
tionsl Council, that Congress ought not
to legisisto upon the subject Of slavery
within tho territories Of the United
5tatss. This, to our mind, is taking
ground both nnsoand il theory, aud un'
t0aryanted by the Constitution.
By referring to the Federal Constitu.
ton, we 6nd in Section 3, Article 4, tho
following language The Congress
shall have power TO dispose Of and make
all needful rules and regulations respect.
ing the territory and othor property be.
longing to the United States, and moth.
ing in this Constitution shall be 80 oon.
strued as to prejudice any claim Of the
United States or Of any particular
State"
Here, in express terms, Congress have
power given them 10 legislate upon any
and all questions respecting tho organ'
i1ation NJ farritoriae