Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1856-11-14
Substitute for the bill appro
priating $4,000 for the re-
lief of Kansas.

lief of Kansas.
Suggested By Mr.. Merrill Of Montpelier.
WHEREAS, BY the Missouri Compromise
SO called, Of 1920, slavery was forever there
after excluded from all the territory Of tn,
United Stntes north Of the latitude of &c 30
and the provisions Of this compromise have
been sacredly observed by the Free States
and the territory south Of said latitude hal
been admitted into the Union as slave states
and said compromise was portidiously re-
peacd in 1854, in defiance Of The sentiments
and interests Of the great majority Of lh,
people of the Free States and
WnfnEAs, All experience has demon.
slraied that free labor con never profitably
ca. exist with slave labor aud tho establish.
mcnt Of slavery in said territory would be an
infringement of the just rights Of the Free
States, az well as a violation Of the princi.
pies Of our free institutions; and
WntREAs, In the extensive and important
territory Of Kansas, Legislature hns been
chosen by invading hordcs Of inhabitants Of
Slave States, in defiance Of the rights Of ac-
tual settlers, rs has been officially ascertain
cd and determined by the House of Repre-
scuiauves OF Congress, and laws have been
enacted by said Legislature, designed 10 See
cure the existence Of slavery in said terrific
nv, that are abh0rreut 90 the sentiments of an
enlightened people, arc "a disgrace TO the orc,
nud ought never To- DE oboyod by people
worthy 10 be free and
WHEREAS, Large bands Of disordery and
armed men arc mvagug said territory for
the ovowcd purpose Of enforcing SAID laws,
making war upon oil. settlers who are oppus-
ed 20 slavery and who refuse obedience TO
such Infamous and invalid laws, driving ma
ny of them from the territory. burning and
destroying their property, threatening their
lyesi and committing dcpredations Of oil
kinds and
WHrRrAs, The Fedora Government has
omitted TO give proper protection to the actu-
al settlers Of said territory, and To other per.
Sons who have gone 20 said territory 10 good
iath Co make settlements or Investments
therein; and
WnrHtAs, Citizens Of Vermont, ns well
as citizens of other Free States, are now in
said territory with the intention of making
such settlements or Investments 100 case they
could receive due protection, who with the
spirit proper 10 free men, have refused sub.
mission 90 said yrannous and infamous leg
i-uuon aud are therefore subjected To- perse.
cuuon and suffering, but who have not lost
thor rights of citizenship in the States from
which they hove temporarily removed; and
WuEHtAs, THIS Legislature recognize
The ma2m that an injury done 20 one citizen
Is nm injury done to ihe whole body polite
As o. doctrine 90 be ever maintained lnyiolate
by every people worthy 10 De goat and tree
md
WWGrAs, The Suites composing the
Union are sovereign, retaining a.l thc pow
cr- OF sovereignty which hals not been re-
lnqushed and conferred upon the Federal
Government, md ore bouad 90 he perform
unce of all the duties spnnung from such
powers. and therefore bound 90 afford pro-
tccuon 20 iheir citizens, so far as the exer-
else oi ihis duty may not interfere with the f.
proper action Of ,he Federal Government;
and
WnrnrAs. This Legislature are Of The
opinion that an emergency. OF vast moment
Go cmout aud the Union. now exists. which
makes % The imperative duty OF Vermont 70
Afford protection 20 Dos citizens who may be
go Kansas, So for as may be practicable and
consistent with ,ho rights and powers Of the
Fedora Government, and of the States;
THEREFoBE,
n rs heseby enacted BIZ the General .}ssem-
bIy Of he STATE Of Vermont, as foAocs:
Sec / The Governor Of This State Is
hereby authorized to take such measures as
may be necessary 10 ascertain the condition
Of our citizens 100 the territory OF Kansas and
in case he shall ascertain that any such citi
gems of Nermontar are 90 "a condition 20 require
ibe action of the Government of tins State
for their protection, he Is hereby authorized
10 correspond with the Executives of other
States Tint may have citizens in ike con-
diton, as well as with the Executive OF the
Federal Government and either n concert
with any Of said Executives, or without such
concert 20 take such measures not incon-
s.stcnt with the just rights and powers Of the
Federal Government, or Of any other State
as may be lmpemliveIy required DO order TO
aAlrd the protection that is justly due from
this State to be- citizens.
See The Governor is hereby author
lied 20 draw on the State Treasurer, from
time to time for such cum or sums. not ex-
CO ding five thousand dollars. as shall be
necessary to carry INTO effect the provisions
of ibis act.
Sec g. This &c, shall take effect from it's
passage