Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1855-08-17
For the Waichman & Journ7l
The Burlington Platform.
No. ,.

Mr. EDIroR:-ls it not too late in our ex-
perience to talk Of slavery as local evil to
be left undisiurbed by the federal govern
menl: Do we not all know that, however
localized ny law, II Is an element Of weak
ness, dagger, and dscord, affecting the whole
UNION Does it not diminish our nationa
resources and at the same time draw upon
them beyond fair proportion? Does it not
manage to get the whole machinery of gov
eminent under its CONTROL and work 1t for
ends opposite to its legitimate design Sla-
very local 1t holds about half the states
OF the Union, ocallzlng freedom in the 9TH
er half 1t is an oyergrown, unmanageabe
pugnacious, domincerlng interest, represent
ed beyond other interests, and watchlul to
defeat every project Of national policy not
harmonzng with itself and do we propos,
to let 1t alone as a thing Of no concern 10
the nation? Never till 1t ceases to be the
worst enemy OF the country never Til
northern venality no longer gives 1.-THE adj
vantage of a majority.
Have we of the North, because not per
sonal victims of the slave system, no concern
in ii affecting our happiness in any way ?
Have we no sympalhles to be wounded and
panied by its infections no hearts 10 bleed
in view of it outrages' Are the h1nowinp
accounts, which we daily hear from the
South, Of cTueltles suffered by defenscess
men, women, aud children, more endurable
than a stamp act or taxation without repres-
entation? Talk not of slavery as local
evil while 1t has one victim to whom govern.
mental protection Is due.
More than forty years ago we were in a
war with Great Britain, the declared grounds
of which were impressment of American
seamen and outrsges on American commerce
by British vessels. These British wrongs
were not committed in the free states or slave
states either, bot out of the Union and on
the seas. Why did we not coolly regard il
as marine evil to te left undlsturbed p
Slavery commits more outrBges against the
rights of American citizens every year than
to impress nifty thousand seamen, and does
more against the pccuniary interests of the
country than all the nations Of the earth ever
did IN half a century. Yet the federal GOV
ernent should leave II uHdisturbed, because
ts wrong are committed only in the slave
States. Is this our patriotismY
1 unt b.. httf the nhnlt-
ton Of slavery by federal action Do you
ask, Mr.. Editor, how il can be constitution
ally done intend to answer that question
IN due time, but Tor the present will only turn
upon you with the harder question, how II
can be cons,itulionally left nndone (; The
Constitution was ordained in order ." to form
more perfect union, establish justice, insure
domestic tranquility, provide for the common
defense, promote the general welfare, ana
secure the blessings of liberty to ounselye,
aud our Postefily." Accomplish any one q,
these ends thoroughly and you abolish slave
n.y. Slavery sa refinement of all that th.
Constitution designs to remedy. Apply the
remedy eifeciually, and where will slavery
oeF Pursue the ends Of the Constitution
exclusively and steadily, and at every step
you give wound 10 slavery. would hk,
TO have you describe that neutral position
winch the federal government can hold SO as
nei'her 10 promote nor disturb slavery. TRY.
Tor instance, protective tariff. Ii you pro-
teet slave labor and free labor alike, you de-
feat the design of protection and cross the
AIMS oil the Constitution by encouragi
slavery and its consequent id!eness and In
justice Ii you discriminate in favor of free
labor, you wound slavery.
l believe there is law in force forbiddipg
the enlistment Of blacks into the army and
navy. But the Constitution authorizes no
disabilities on the ground of complexion 1,