Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1856-05-23

I
mean the degradation Of politics. We have
had left among us, iill recently great states
men,great orators, great public men but these
gentlemen had commenced their career un-
der the impulses and influences of the new
government, ana the general principles Of
freedom and equality with which the new
Government started. when, however, Slave
~ came 10 control the Government of its
own States, and by that means to control the
Federal Government and ihe politics Of the
Free States through IT'S patronage. or 10 feed
ambition | can tell you that, SD far as know
the people, the freemen of the North-the
educated, intelligent publc-spirlted young
men Of the NOrth--have studied and will
study anything but politics which teaches
them their degradation. Cheers. But roll
back the tide let 1t be understood that in
stead Of your accomplished dipomatists be-
ing inteuogated before they can receive ad.
mission at Washington as to what they think
about Slavery, that it may be seen # they
are acceptable to the South change the
tone OF the qnesl0n--encourage free ex-
preston Of opinion on that as on other sub
iects--and you will have your politics puri-
fed. Our duty has higher consideration
/ than all this, Cheers. Let me ask your
attention a moment 10 an incident Of the last
winter: The unwonted rigor Of the season
had budged the Ohio with Tree bridge. A
poor slave mother, with all the treasure that
she had in the world her children, from a
growing boy to an infant upon her breast
had passed over that free bridge, without let
or hindmnce, and was on the free soil of Ohio
lApplause. The power Of the Federal Gov
ernment under a law Of which I have no
complaint to make, pursued that slave mother
20 send her back to servltude and not able
to release herself, she let out the spirit OF her
child into the free light Of Heaven, even thro'
| the dark portal Of death. Loud applause
/ II It was not noble and brave in the stern
| Cato to taunt the Roman Senate with their
4 long delay as 10 which Of the two they would
/ choose, slavery or death, who shall say that
/ It was ignomnous in that poor slave mo
/ ther, by quick decision and flashing execu-
ton, to determine that question for her pos
terity. Prolonged cheers. All gentle
men, one touch Of nature makes the whole
word KIN aud there are many of US who
ieel a greater pride in sharing the bright red
blood that ran through a heart bounding for
freedom under the dark bosom of that poor
slave mother-iar greater than that we share
in common with the pale faces Of some OF
the statesmen OF the lNorth. (Cheers and
laughter. Thus much for illustration o.
what is the lesson that | would teach. The
infant State Of Kansas now reposes upon the
bosom Of the American people, The VOWS
that swore she should be born free have been
violated the charter of her manumission has
been repudlated and she was born exposed
to Slavery. A manly band of freemen have
saved that infant State but the Federal
/ Government is now fast pursuing to snatch
- tk.tr 4
If you admire the spirit of the poor slave wo-
man of Kentucky that would treat her Off
spring thus to save them from slavery what
shall say to you to induce you to come for
ward to sive Kansas, aud her millions TO be
born. from that slavery from which a noble
band OF ireemen have rescued her? Ap-
plausel Are the slaves Of Kentucky of no
bier blood than the ireemen Of New York
/ Cheers and cries Of "No."l But, gentle
men, it is said that "the Union must and
/ shall be preserved" laughter, and that is
| the principal object Of my speech to~night
| Renewed liughter.l | should suppose that
| eigheen ed years without a new expe-
I riment had furnished illustration enough of
the loud shouts which may be put forth in
defense of the shrine Of the " Great Diana Of
the Ephesans" when the real interest ofthe
/ shouters was concerned in the business Of
" Alexander the Coppersmth" Laughter.
1 And for all that class of shOuters for the
preservation Of the Union, have no respect.
Their occupation and government Of the
| country, through slave interest is their "busi-
ness Of Alexander the Coppersmiih," and
they must save Dlana's shrine, in order to
support that business. IChsars and laugh.
ter. But there is a very large class oi most
worthy and patriotic citizens, who are Justly
sensitive upon any subject which looks as
kance on good faith and good feeling though
how they can complacently look on and re-
cognlze good faith or good feeling in the bad
faith and bad feeling practced upon the 9th
er side otthe Union, do not know lCheers.
Now, this class has found an eloquent voice
IN the speech and letter Of an accomplished
orator of New England, IN which he closes
by expressing the sentiment that he cannot
unite with any hand which does not follow
the flag and keep step TO the music of the
Union" These are my sentiments precise
ly. lCheers But il becomes important to
know what is the flag and what the music of
the Union. am not myself sensible of any
strange transformation OF the American peo-
pie, which, 10 the course of seventy wears.
should change the noble hymn of American
Freedom from being the music of the I'm
ion to slng-song chaunt in praise of African
Slavery Applause. And as to the " flag
of the Unon,n | would say TO that elegant
orator, that the greatest statesman Of New
England, when, IN possession of his best
reasoning powers and overwhelming oratory,
he stood up TO support the Union and Con-
sttution, could give him description Oft
flag. 1t is the gorgeous ensign of the Re-
public, honored throughout the earth-un-
tutth ais rla ,ka h.I
ding a brilliant light over that sentiment dear
to every heart" Liberty and union, now
and forever -one and nseparable" !" That
Is the hag Of the Union which You and all of
us will follow, and keep step To the music of
the shouts OF ireemen that attend IT, Cheers
But wnen we find that flag IN the hands oil
/ whatever standard bearers-whether they
assume the honored name of the Democrat
! ic party, or any other and notice that II is
unlufled, with every stripe polluted, and ey-
cry star obsGured-all its iloatmg giofies
darkened, and It's ennoblng sentiment CIV
| ing place to the mockng moth of Slavery
/ and Union now and foreyer--one aud in.
/ separablen-then will we trampie that flag
/ Ia the dust, and strike down that standard
| bearer, as cOnsprator against the public
| freedom and traitor TO the honor and free
dom of the Union. Prolonged applause
Maryland The Wing State Convention,
| so-called aud recently held 10 Maryland, was
case of false pretense. Nearly every
prominent member of that Convention, with
the exception Of Mr.. Claude, who withdrew
from the Convention when It's object become
apparent, went over TO the Loco-Foco party
last Fall ~ Y. Express.