Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1855-05-25
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BURLINGTON, FRIDAY. MAY 25, 1853.
The Create Question,

The political questions arising from the
existence of slavery in our country are more
important than any others which can be
named, 1t is idle to deny this. The whole
nation feels it to be so. The subject is in
every mans thoughts, and the reason is
obvious No topic which concerns the whole
country or any considerable part of it, can
be discussed, without it's being found that
slavery has something to do with it. Talk
Of the agriculture, the manufactures, or the
commerce of the country, and slavery at once
comes forward to join in tie conversation
Of tariffs, direct taxation, public lands, the
influx Of foreigners or the emigration Of our
citizens from one part Of the union to the
other and slavery must not be overlooked.
Speak about our armies and nayics and their
officers. about secretaries and foreign mir
listers about Judges and commissioners, about
territories and territorial governors, and it
is the same. Name a presidential candi-
date or a congressman, and slavery speaks in
an instant and shows a lively interest in the
matter. Gather national or a state con-
,ontion. and slavery always takes seat and
claims right to speak and to act
Not only has it come to be ever present in
this way, but its bearing has changed, and
it's power has grown to an appalling degree.
Sevcnty-fve years ago, for the most part, it
wore submissive look, it spoke with batcd
breath, it asked for compassion, it was
going the way Of all the earth very soon. 1T
wished only to die quietly, within its pre-
scribcd bounds,--it prayed only that its
fickcring candle Of life might not be rudcly
blown out but allowed to waste itself peace
ably in its socket. \ little ashes and light
puff Of smoke would soon tell the world that
ITS spirit was gone from this land Of liberty
for ever. Now it shows defiance in its hid
cous countenancc. Oaths, hlasphcmies and
threats are poured out Of It's luathsome
mouth necessarily Its hands, SO suppliant
once. are now filled with bowie knives
and six-shooters Like other dcspotisms, it
forhids any question Of its powers. 1t tram
pies on laws and compacts. it breaks down
the bars which itself had sworn should for
ever prevent it. progress 1t thrca tens death
~ those who shall speak and act for free
dom. The nations treasure, officers and
armies are at its disposal National officers Of
high rank plan for mobs to carry out its
ferocious schemes against law and liberty
and raise money to pay the piratica
Fcoundrels who are engaged To ovcrpowcr al
who stand in its way.
The talk ofignor'ng Slau0y as Il natiouaI
matter is absurd too absurd for sane
persons TO use. The danger cannot be
turned aside by shutting the eyes against it
The peril is real one. The war has begun
Slavery and freedom are now face to face
Freedom must conquer now or feel its enemy
foot on its neck for long time to como
Every man in the free states should rcalz(
tms-should stand with his loins girt, anC
say 81 am ready-ready now, ready for my
whole life ready with my yote-reaG,
with all the influence | can use--rcady will
my money if it is needed, and ready with IN,
life blood as my fathers were with theirs il
l77G if freedom cannot be made secure with
cut it,"
Vermont has never held any doctrine
inconsistent with that. She made her ISSUE
last year more boldly than ever, if possible
and she will not change it this. She will
never forget it, or 90 contrary to it