Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1857-12-04
From the Wasmngton) Republic.
PSOGRESS OF LIBERAL OPINIONS IN
MISSOURI


We find in the Missouri Dcuoc, at very
able and interesting speech, made by James
b. Get@e,.h0,i E-,r M Ieiitrsan City. in tho
Hall of Representative on the 2sth ult Mr..
q. is President of the Jefferson Land Com
pany, formed some months ago. with view
to the improvement and development Of the
fine natural resources of that rogion by the
encouragement of immigration Tho known
preference given by the company and its Pres
ident to free white over black slave labor, as
a matter of course, has reused the jealousy of
the champions Of uiggerdom and they have
attempted to stiAe the enterprise by raising
the hue and cry of abolition" Mr.. Gar
denhiro has met them on their own terms.
and administered to them a dose of Free Soil
facts and arguments which we hope may do
them good At any rate, he has held Tie
ehalice to their teyered lips with steady
hand.
His audience, we are informed, was large
and approcatiye and the patience and pleas
urc with which the lreest uttcrauoe of liberal
opinions was listened to in the Capitol of
Missouri gives token of marvellous progress
in public opinion. Eighteen months ago. as
we can testify from experience, men uttered
their free thoughts in Jefferson City with
"bated breath and trembling lips, lest some
spy Of the terrible Atchison and Stringtelow
should oycrhcar the treason
But glorious reaction has taken place t:
the more complete, no doubt. in consequence
of the reign Of rutlianism fs4 a season.
Mr.. Gardenhire presents a brief historical
review OF the opinions prevalent in the Revo-
lutionary era upon the subject of Slavery;
and shows, by quotations from the writings
of Washington, Jefferson, Franklin, Henry.
and others, that every great and good man of
that day condemned Slavery, and desired its
extinction. He continues:
"Who, then, are the enemies Of NEGRO Slavery 7
have shown that the British King was It's friend and
forced upon the Colonies aIanst thor repeated remon
sauces have shown that the Colonies were il, enc
micsi that the eminent men Of the Revoluton-tha Adj
amses, the Rntedges Franklin. jefferson Henry and
Washingtonall thats great and glorious in our Revo-
nuona} history were rs enemies; and last that the
authorities Of our Federal and State Governments ARE t
enemies The ndiscrminac charge, then, made by Mr.
Hreen, that slavery agitation, and the evils resulting
rom NJ are attributable 10 the enemies Of Ne,r1 Slavery
Is eyeled a. all these high authorities which, avn ure
w bring all rightmnded men to Indulgence, II not to
conviction.
90" have been thus careful In compiling the opiniops NJ
the most eminent 4acd IN nur history Tor the additional
purpose Of showing that similar opinions entertained b
citizens u sister States constitute no objection m
Their purchasing our property and settling down In our
midst Such am objection would reach Franklin JEFF
terson Henry, and Washngton-the whole Revolution
airy heart, if liyng-and we ourselves would have 10
abandon the State 10 the minority, repeal our oonsi
tuuQnal and legislative enactments
ri come now 10 show whence part Of the evils Of tho
slavery agitation comes shall not do Il hv nisrepro
sentng the opninos and aims Of the North They are
uot acre 10 be cons ncod by my counsel II right or 10
reiuic It II wrong My business is with men at home
among my neghors whose social progress Ia adi.soluly
blended with my own. The great aud good ashiuntou
m his Farewell Address told US that, One of the eNne
uci. Is TO mareprcsent the opiV md aims of other
dHtilcls You cannot shield yOursrrs too much against
the leaouses aud heartbumings which spring from hcse
misrepre'cnauons they tend TO render alien 10 raoh
oeel those who ought 70 be bound together Ly faers
aeclion Let this warning admonitipn De severely mn
Phed ny every good man 10 the sectional a.at1rs who
Incorporating TO the passions and exciting the prriudirs
OF southern men against the North. Tho c.iaoncy of
the Times mperatisey demandsh il. Kcgpr4ht al home
ana leave the connection Of thc North cur Rcfrcspn
Wunns' Who meet 10 common council
The tendencies Of the times will free us of Slavery
NthoNi injury 10 the slayebldor Nith1nt TN l,i,
nAoouy without leaving free negroes aaane 3D. Ind
llhout agitation, unless il is eventually thrust upon t
lose "ho losing sight OF the prcat landed and prDp.
OF the ulira FroSavey party the chief labor of their
YES by exciting the fears OF aychodors mi eDrcsort
" '0pnHoie aud aims Of other d.sf,ris swelling to
lngerou element Of sectional agitation and nncriiln5
ne Union ''""6
but 1t has been urged upon us that We must not ner
~ slavery mus quietly TO ind ito way the cotton ana
lsar heds OF the south that there must be slave nor
eonS"hsIei hai we ought TO furnish it aud. II we
nor me Union Will be dissolved. This Is nonstr,
sumption, aud short answer will dispose of h liz
A we must keep Slavery here, regardless Of our oc,
Wtfal or submit 90 the horrors vi dissolution II h
pretended that Congress, the Representative a. No
'"'t' ''N lH'N'W us from aholiihng Slpers u we