Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-10-06
Nree,ntqit. freeman
MONTPEhIER Vt.

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Our readers will find in another column
speech which Daniel Webster delivered in the
Senate on thequestion Of organizing the territory
of Oregon, in 1913. Webster's memory has
been 80 much maligned, his great name has
been 50 much, since his death, claimed by such
men as Caleb Gushing as the peculiar property
of the Democratic party, that there is some
danger that his fame Will suffer, unless his true
opinions on the political questions of his day are
occasionally brought before the public. Web
ster was an ardent friend of the Union Of Amer
lean States and if he abandoned in some slight
degree, near the close of his lie, the severity of
his anti-slavery opinions, some excuse may pos
sbly be found for him in his love of his coun-
try. AT any rate, let US not forget that his
great mind, down as late as 1S48, held firmly to
the idea of free labor, and free territories. We
should admire to see some sham Democrat of
this day, who is ready to eulogze Mr.. Webster,
us the great expounder of the Constitution, the
great advocate of Southern rights, read and pom
der the sentiments Of this speech, and we will
ask him in all soberness wherein they differ
from the principles of the Republican party of
to-day.
lie says that Slavery is a creation of the local
law, "and wherever that local law does not ex-
tend property in persons does not exist - that
" Slavery is against natural law, Or at least
against the common understanding which pre-
walls among men as to what is natural law
He maintains that there is no inustse to the
South in keeping the territories exclusively for
free labor His opinion is very clear that the
trainers of the Constitution did not look to the
acquisition of new territory, and if they had
contemplated such result, they would have
dedicated it forever to Freedom as they did the
Northwestern Territory. He maintains that
Congress "may establish any such govern
ment, and such laws, in the Territories, as
in its discretion it may see fit, subject to the
rules of justice and propriety and the whole
argument shows that he regards one of those
"rulcs of justice and propriety' to be inaexi-
bly, opposed to the extension of Slavery into any
territory. And then follows that famous decara-
ton that he has made up his mind, "that under
no circumstances wiH consent 10 the further e.
tension Of the area Of Slavery in the United States
or to the further increase Of Saue representation
in tbs House Of Representatives." To our ap-
prchension these are sound Republican posi-
tiuns.
1t is only few days since that the statue of
Daniel Webster was set up on the Capitol ground
at Boston, and eloquent commemorative speeches
were made on the occasion of its Inauguration.
At that time Mr.. Everett said :,
"And oh, my friends, If of those who differing
from him on this or any other subject, have yet
with generous forgetiulness of that which sepa-
rated you and kindly remembrance ofall thatyou
held in common, come up this day to do honor
to his memory, there are any who suppose that
he cherished less tenderly than yourselves the
great ideas of Liberty, Humanity, and Brother
ho0d-that, because he was faithful to the du-
ties which he inferred from the Constitution and
the Law, to which he looked for the government
of Civil Society, he was less sensible than your
selves to the broader relations and deeper sym
pathics which unite lis to our follower
as brethren of one family and children OF one
Heavenly Father, believe me, you do his memo
ry grievous wrong
We hardly think there was need that Mr..
Everett should say this but that he should
thus publicly bear witness against the base at
sham Democrats to claim
authority for their shame
\ Rsaal Slavery propagandism, is
quite Conclusive Of the fact, whoever may have
doubted it before. We, without any hesitation
assert that the position of the great Republican
party of the country, now, on the question Of
Slavery in the territories as constitutional,
just, righteous and legal position, has the sane
ton and approval of the great expounder of the
Constitution, and those who assail and donounce
us as fanatics and disunionists, equally aseail
and denounce as fanatic and disunionist the
great statesman who lies in his quiet grave at
Marshfeld
STATE v. THE VERMONT STATE AGRICULTURAL
SOCIETY The Grand Jury, at its recent term
at Burlington, indicted that very respectable
institution, the State Agricultural Society,"
This seems to us rather unkind treatment after
inviting the Society hold their Fair in that foun.
tain city Perhaps twas all shrewd dod,e 70
set them within the Jurisdiction of an honest
Court. But no matter how it was brouyb,
} about, it has been done. The Jurios in tho,
vicinity are opposed to any State institution
,, paying out money by way of premiums. or r
any other way. This may be regarded, as hi,
notice that the Fair is not desired to come thar.
again, and very likely it viii take notice arf
, act accordingly. Gen. Clarke is incensed 0s h,
! ought to be. Has he inquired to learn. wbetbo,
5 somebody on the Jury hadn't horses on exb;b;
Q bition, and came little short of getting III
. premium?
n ~ Visitors will be admitted to the New Stat