Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1860-07-06
SENATOR WILSON ON THE SLAVE
TRADE


Of Hon. Henry Wilson, in the Senate, juno
| 3, in support Of his amendment to the Naval
Appropriation bill providing for the purchase
Of three steam vessels 90 be employed in the
suppression Of tho African slave trade. 1t
presents mass of information bearing upon
this general subject of the re-oponing of the
slave trade. which ought to be spread among
the people. We regret that We have not room
70 copy the greater part Of its facts. But the
following explanations Of the causes which
have concurred in producing change in the
public sentiment Of the country, favorable to
the slave trade iniquity, is so forcible, just
and suggestive, that VIC cannot withhold it
from our readers:
"rhc Senator from Virginia Mr. Mason
asks how it is that the slave trade has been
revived in the cities of the North He does
not understand why this traffic in men should
be renewed at this time by persons residing
in this country | think, sir, it is all very
plain. We have had in this country during
the past six years an immense pressure for
the extension Of slavery into the Territories,
and for the supremacy Of slavery in tho coun-
ellis Of the government. To extend slavery,
to secure its controlling influence over the
government, ancient restrictions have been
L
have been resorted TO by interruptions men.
ready to sacrifice every right that stood in the
way Of their schemes Of expansion and do
minion. The Senator from Virginia himself
proclaimed on this floor that the saveholding
States had the right to the natural expansion
Of slavery on this continent an clement OF
political power. Does the Senator suppose
that these efforts to expand human slavery
e. Itg ~ nj
strengthening the power Of slage-mssters over
the national government, have no influence
over men ever ready to do any work of inhu-
manity or crime to FIJI their Golfers with gold
Sir, these efforts to extend human slavery
in America, these attempts to increase the
power of slavery in the councils Of the ma
tion, these discussions in these halls and in
the public journals. these deeds of fraud and
violence, have had their dcmoralizng ehect'
upon the country When the Senator from
Virginia finds that men engaged in this inhu.
man tr ilic cannot be convicted; that jurics
fail that judges pervcrt the laws, that pub
lie journals and public men demand the
abrogation of treaty stipulotions and tn,
modification or repeal of all laws branding
the slave trade as piracy, why should he be
surprised that in northern commercial cities
in the great city Of New York, there should
be found men TO invest capital 20 fl out ship
to send vessels to the coast Of Africa TO en-
gage in traffic which il successful fills thoi
purses with coveted gold Why should no
men be found in that great commercial city as
ready TO violate law, the rights Of human ma
ture and feelings of humanity TO win gold, as
to aid in the work Of slavery expansion anC
dominion in America for the poor boon of Of
fetal patronage: Surely, the experienced
Senator from Virginia cannot be surprised al
the readiness of men to do mean and wickeC
deeds for slavery. The Senator has Otter
seen how ready men are, even in these Cham
bcrs. to do whatever slavery requires Of them
The Senator, the other day, reported in favo
Of returning TO my colleague petition. pre-
scented by him. of coiorcd citizens of Massa
chusetts. In this the Senator had the read,
support of The Senator from Indiana (Mr
Fitch) When the honorable Senator from
Virginia finds the Senator from Indiana no
only ready 20 engage in an act like that--ar
act which violates the constitutional rights o
men and the rights of a Senator of a sovcr
eign State-but willing to make an insulting
motion, accompanied by impertincnt remark
toward the Senator who, in the discharge o
public duty, presented the petition, VIII,
should he not suppose that other men can b
found willing to do any work in the interest
of slavery; When the Senator from Virgin
ia secs the plaucy and alacrity of the Sena
tor from Indiana in this work Of suppressin
the petitions Of the colored citizens Of soy
ereigu Commonwealth. why should he no
suppose that men may be found in othe
northern States ready to engage in the slav
trade;
Sir, it cannot be matter of surprise to Sen
ators that men in our great commercial cities
especially New York, should engage with re
nowed zeal in the slave trade Men eve
ready to clutch at every opportunity to fl
their purses with gold, no matter how it is t.
be won, could not fail to be influenced to en-
bark in the unlawful and inhuman slave trad
by the change which has been going on in tn
public mind in regard to this traffic in men
We cannot disguise the fact that a grea
change of sentiment has been going on in thi
country with regard to the slave trade