Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1856-10-31

Mn. Enron I'VE are brought, believe,
10 the consideration Of the greatest and most
transoendant question which has ever occur
red in our political history. The nation is
called to lay the foundations and fix the in
sutu,ions Of new empire-almost a new
world. An extent OF territory larger than
twice the old thirteen states, larger than fifty
states like Vermont, awaits the action Of this
nation. The great future Of this vast terri
tory, which heaven has dccked, emhcllished
and enriched with the choicest beauties Of
nature, hangs upon the decision Of the peo-
pie. Ages and centuries seem at their dis
posal Upon them rests the dread RESPONSE
bllny Of making this slnve empire. or n re-
public Of freemen. Shall the millions whose
home will be there, be weighed down,
crushed with the incubus Of slavery or be
enuohed by the free spirit of liberty p
Shall they be blessed with the free and hap
py institutions Of New England, or shall il
be land of darkness and the shadow Of
death p Here springs up infinite RESPONSE
hlties. believe that this il a more impor-
tant hour for our country than any other
known in the history Of this continent; more
important than any crisis IN colonial or
revolutionary times; because the doctrines
assailed with more su5tlely and relentless.
ness than ever before. The great question
between freedom and slavery Is not for
Kansas alone, but for the whole wide land /:
tits question between education and ig.
norance, between virtue and moral degrade
ton, between picty and inhdelty, between
productive industry and profiless toni be-
tween civil liberty and unmitigated despo~
hn Auf hn
people are called to take sides between
them. The question has This wide sweep
Ii decision involves all that is valuable In
civil nd cocal hfa aud the welfare Of mil
lions Of souls. This question is calculated
90 thrill upon all that is patriotic and holy IN
the human BOSOM Our brethren and sisters
who have gone to Kansas with nobesi pur-
poses, ARE smiiten down and given over to
slnvery's rule Not only Their Liberties but
ours are assailed. II 10 vain to imagine that
we can SIT much longer under our own vine
and fig tree uumoiesicd vain to dream that
our republican Institutions are safe with
federal government that heeds not the wall
that comes from the funeral pile OF freedom
We arc now at that crisis when civil war
will ensue, blood without iuut flow, If we
take not "a firm stand for liberty. II the
North are united and determined, the danger
will be ayerted. five are tame and divided,
slavery's awful schemes will be triumphant
II Is nm time for cowardice or compromise
lie who loves his country must stand firm or
die. lie who loves freedom must maniully
defend her, or be a slave. To shrink back,
to cover, will invite ageressions from slave
~ A bold aud determined stand at every
former crisis would have saved us from our
present thraldom. Every passing year Of
inaciion makes finel stand more difficult
Il is hard 20 believe that Normontets may be
called to stand in the files Of war; but a re-
morscless ohgarchy is forcing US there 10
defence Of our dearest rights. An earnest,
mhexihe martyr-spiul Is needed now, and
our motto must be, Give me liberty, or
give noe death"
GARRISON