Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1860-03-17
CONGRESSIONAL.

buIlnb INC past WVeh tne oclldlc mas DeCn
chiefly engaged in discussing the resolutions
introduced by Mr.. Brown of Mississippi, in re-
lation to slave code for the Territories.
On Wednesday of last week, Mr.. WADE of
Ohio made bold, powerful and effective speech
1t was mainly devoted to reply to the yitu-
perativc abuse heaped upon the republicans by
Mr.. Toombs. lie alluded to the terms of de-
nunCiaton used by Mr.. Toombs when speaking
of the Northern States, wherein he had stig-
matised the republicans as perjurcs and traitors,
TOO poor in spirit to defend their own honor
when asSailed, and replied that the public SEN
timent of the North did not encourage dueling,
and that the forbearance of her representatives
arose from their respect for law and not from
cowardice. Personal valor was the common
heritage of the Anglo Saxon race, and nobody
at the North thought of pluming himself or an
attribute shared by ALL
Mr. WADE then proceeded to review the
speech of Mr.. Toombs under each head Of its
several oherses asainat tho North, eon,nono;ng
with the allegation that the Northern States had
disregarded their constitutional obligation TO
return fugitives from service. Mr.. Wade held
that this charge could not be sustained against
the State of Ohio, which had never denied the
right Of the Southern STAKEHOLDER to reclaim his
absconding slave. 1t was well known that the
law of 1850 contained provisions that made it
justly odious TO Northern men, of whom many
believe it to be unconstitutional in some of its
provisions, yet even that harsh law had been
executed in the State of Ohio. But even sup
posing it had been resisted by mob violence in
some Of the Northern States, did that Justify
the elimination Of a great party, composing a
majority of the citizens of those States as 'per-
jurers' and "traitors?" Citizens of Georgia
had recently imported slaves in violation of The
laws of the United States, and it was found i'm
possible to punish the offenders Did that war
rant the assertion that all the people of Georgia
are in like manner guilty?
second charge against the North is that
many OF the Northern States have passed "per-
sonsl liberty bills" And had it come to this,
that sovereign States could not protect her
own free citizens from unlawful seizure. because
forsooth Southern master has a right to re-
claim his fugitive slaves? The laws of Ohio
on this subject proposed nothing more than the
prevention md punishment of kidnap"ing-a
special reservation being made in favor Of the
rights secured to the Southern STAKEHOLDER. In
| spite of clamors and denurclations the State of
| Ohio would continue To nrotect the freodor, -,
her citizens. and it seems to him That no,b;nn
short of infatuation could induce Southern Sen
ators. as the chamnions of Siate r;ghts r. cail
in question this plain duty and nrerogotiyc Of
every free Commonwealth.
The third charge brought opainst tho poruh.
lican party represents that it Seeks to preserve
the Territories from the intrusion Of slavery
This charge was well founded. and tho nor;,
would seek to substan,iatc il by nol;tcal
BY the most shameless violation of comnro,r,;s
es the issue had been forced ON the North and
the Republicans were now nledped to onroso
the extension of slavery ;nio t6e ;pr;"Se
1t was idle to quote the bred Scott doc;s;on 90
conclusive against such motley since hat da
cision would be treated by the Rcnublicons ol
the North as the State of Georr;o had troatod
previous decisions held 70 he eouoii, mil onJ
void-that is, with profound contcmnt ;" T Ih'
Territories belonged to the people of the Union,
anu not 10 me Stae' The popular catchword
tnencv ~ ,Sa moi1t j., .nu states had no per-
holders and the sayeboIders Of rho "s
On this theory, if we should ever annex me
reJeo isi"hoS US state we would be called to
recognise cahhloalism IN. the common domain,
OF II otan' aiter admission into the Union,
SnoI'u rt'alh me institution OF polygamy ltwould