Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1861-10-11

''eo'''', 'he roy"' hlilp, already strong IN
his victory. irembled. Ring and conqiier-
or, lie was also Statesman, aud he saw well
that snch proposition begun in Athens
would shake all Greece even TO his power
inl throne, which the young Alexander wa:
then preparing to mount His triumphant
conrsc was at once arrested and peace Sc
cured.
The other instance is in Romdn history.
You will find it in Plutarcl's life df Caids
Marius. This experienced general. who
in the citll conflicts Of the time had been
driven from Rome and found shelter in the
ruins of Carthage, was able at last to effect
landing in Italy. Thus is the incidsnt
retorded
Marius upon this news determined to
hasten. lie took with him some Marnsian
horse which he had levied in Africa and a
few others that Mefe coiiic to him FROM
Italy, in all not amounting to above a thou
sand men, and with this handful began his
voyase.. He arrived at port uf Tuscany
called lebanon, and as soot as he itds Ind
ed proclaimed liberty to he slares. The
name of Marius brought down numbers,
the ahlest of which he enlisted, and in
short time had a great army on foot with
which he fillrd forty ships"
Thus far Puiarch. 1t is needless to add
that Marius found himself soon master OF
Rome.
These are historic instances. / do not
adduce them that you should blindly fol-
low them; but simply that yuu shutild see
how in tiiiies past defeat Eas been stayed
and victory won by generous word for
freedom. Men die and disappear but the
human family continues the same in pas
sons and fears as when Philip was fright
ened back from Athens and when Marius
was borne in triumph to Rome
To these historic instances, let me add an
admitted principle Of the ancient Roman
law. According to law, the state Of slavery
might be terminated in three different man
ners: first, by manumission; secendly, by
way of reward 10 the slave and thirdly, bv
rdy Of punishment to the master. IF the
master had failed to be a good citizen, he
was punished so that al the same time he
should suffer in property and others should
gain what is more than property-freedom.
But do not cite even this principle of
time -honored Jurisprudence of your gov
! will not doubt that, in un-
parallelled circumstances by which we are
now encompassed, justice will be done.
Already this way is easy. A simple dec
laraiion that all persons coming within the
lines of the United States troops shall be
as freemen, will be III strict tdn-
'ormity to the constitution, and also with
precedents. The constitution knows tij man
as slave. 1t treats all within its iurisdic
lion as persons, while the exceptional pro-
vision for the rendition of persons held to
service or labor, you will observe, is care.
Iully confined to such as have escaped into
another state. 1t is clear, therefore, that
there can be no sanction under the consti- |
luton for turning a camp into slave-pen,
Or for turning military officers into slave-
hunters. Let this plain construction be
adopted, and then, as our lines advance.
freedom will be established aud our nation
al flag in its march will wave with new
glory.
A brave general, whom Massachusetts has
given to the country--though commencing
MS career with preiudices derived from the |
pro-slavery school puliticians---has known
low to see this question in its true light
mean, of course, Gen. Butler. He has |
declared in Ills letter TO the Secretary Of
War, dated Fortress Monroe. 30th July. |
1861, with reference to fugitive slaves, that
is his duty ito take the same care of these
men, women and children, hotiseless, home
ess and unprovided for, as he would for the
anne number Of men, women and children
Who for their attachment to the Union had
'een driven or allowed to flee from the
confederate States" These words are bet
er for his reputation than victory.
Another general, born in Kentucky and
wing and dying in the soutll-NIa;. Gen.
iaines OF the army Of the United States
nd down the same rule MS long ago as
S3S. 1t will be found in the documents of
ongress. "The military officer" said he,
can enter into no judicial examination of
ne claim OF one man TO the bone and mus I
lie of another as property. Nor could he, |
) MILITARY officer, know what the laws of S
lorida were while engaged in maintaining t
he federal government by force of arms a
y such case, he could only be guided by
le laws Of war and whatever may be the g
ws of any state, they must yield to the v
fcty of the federal government" L
The proposition, though of seeming sim "
lefty, would be of incalculable efficacy If il
,nestly and sincerely enforced. Then f
ould our camps become nurseries Of free $,
en-, and every common soldier would be b
ST
But there is another agency that may be e.
voked, which is at this time under the
mean martial law. II is un- L
T the constitution, because it is distinctly b,