Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1856-10-17

common territory Of the country
to the free citizens Of the North
and by the strong arm of power,
with the bayonet and the sword,
it brushes a people, whose only
offence is that they claim the right
to regulate their domestic insti-
tutions in their own way, and will
not submit to its insolent and OPP
pressiye demands.
The rapid extension of Slavery
and the aggressive nature of It's
demands, excite the most anxious
solIcitude in our minds for the
success and perpetuity of the u
Mon ; and the imminent danger
to our free institutions has slim
ulated all lovers of Liberty to en-
deayor to restore the action of our
Government to the principles Of
its patriotic founders, from which
it has so widely deyiated. The
people Of Vermont have ever,
and with increasing force and
unanimity, spoken in unmistaka
bic terms in opposition to the eX-
tension Of Slavery, and | doubt
not your action in regard to this
subject will be in complete accord
ance with the earnest sentiments
Of your constituents.
Our country has not only Law
ished her blood and treasure to se-
cure her own liberty, but when
distant nations, encouraged by her
example, have sought to be free.
her sympathy and her contribu-
tons have rolled in tides OF mighty
impulse to their assistance. The
Imprisonment of a foreigner, who
had simply declared his intention
of becoming a citizen of the Uni-
ted States, was recently consid-
cred, by our Government, an I'M
suit to the majesty Of the nation,
and on remote sea our ships Of
war opened their frowning port
holes and steruly demanded the
immediate release Of the prisoner.
But citizens Of this and other
States Of our confederacy, who
have emigrated to Kansas, a por-
ton Of our own country under
the direct authority of the Fed
eral Government, with the inlen-
ton of making that Territory their
home, relying ON the assurances
of that Government that they
should be left in perfect free
dom to form and regulate their
domestic institutions in their owu
way have, by lawless and re-
peated invasions of the people
Of another State, been deprived
of the dearest rights Of freemen
their lives and property have been
threatened and destroyed, and
they have been subjected by these
invaders to the most cruel aud
tyramical enactments which have
characterized modern leg station
and yet, Notwithstanding theirfre-
quent appeals to the President
for relief, none has been afforded
them their robbers and murder
ers remain UNPUBLISHED, some
even in official positions under the
Federal Government and obcdi-
ence to the pretended laws Of the
Territory is enforced by the armed
soldiery of the United States.
The recollection of our own
early history as Commonwealth
should awaken in our breasts the
liyeliest sympathies for our broth
rem who are struggling for Free
dom in Kansas. Vermont wa,
once the scene of similar depre-
dations, hardships and cruelties
Her early settlers were elected
from their possessions, and were
denied all law and justice, by the
emissarles Of a Government
which wrongtully claimed domin-
/ ion over them.
| earnestly suggest to your
careful deliberation the question
whether, in view Of the great
wrongs to which our citizens in
Kansas are subjected, and the ut
ter neglect of the General Gov
eminent to protect them, some
action is not required Of you,
equal to the importance and emer-
gency of their cause.
l trust the legislature will
prove itself a generous patron
to the noble charities that distin-
guish this age, and its acts bear
the impress Of humanity and be-
Inevolence.
Relying with confidence on the
wisdom Of your deliberations and
action, | tender you, Gentlemen,
my hearty corporation in all
your laudable efforts for the public
welfare.
RYLAND FLETCHER