Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1861-01-03
THURSDAY, JAN. 8, 1861.
SECESSION.

SECESSION.
1t is. or should be, cause of great thank.
fulness that the people of the United States
Of the present generation, know little or moth.
ing of the practical workings of incipient trea-
son, and that they have heretofore had no
experience in the desolating consequences OF
revolution. This knowledge and experience
is likely now to be supplied. In view of the
present position of affairs at Washington we
have but little to encourage us in the hope of
peaceful solution of the difficulties which
now surround us. "King Cotton" has erected
his crest the pro-slavcry propaganda have
issued their edict; honest free labor is de-
nounced, and the irrepressible conflict of a
much older date than that alluded to by Mr..
Seward, in his Rochester speech, is to be
brought into an interlock. In entering upon
this contest it is of the utmost Importance that
we of the North, and the Republican party
especially, should present ourselves with clean
hands and pure intentions. What do we
present to the pro-slavery propagandists P
The Chicago platform. What do they ask
of US? An entire surrender of the principles
of the early fathers. In view of this present
state Of affairs, where shall stand the true
representative man of New England? The
elder Quincy on certain occasion said that
he knew of but one thing worse than war
and that was the dread Of 1t ! So of secession.
We have long been educated to the idea that
secession-the dissolution OF. the Union was
political DEATH How does the matter look to
us now, as presented? There seems to us no
death in the case. Burke says in regard to
the compact Of a State that there should be
something better than partnership agree
ment IN trade of pepper and coffee, calico
and corn, rice and tobacco, ard so we look
upon the solemn compact of the United States
constitution. So say we! While the South
are talking to US of our personal liberty bills,
and while their toad-eating, doughfaced allies
at theNorth are encouraging them on in their
attack upon us, is it not proper that we should
interpose some of their own acts which are in
direct violation of constitutional law?
In our issue of Nov. Is, we took especial
pans to show to our readers the gross injus-
tee done to New England by the South Car
DINA act of 1922 in regard to the imprison-
ment of free blacks from the North. We at
the time had not the especial act before us
we have 1t now, and here it is:
SEC III. If any vessel shall come into
any port or harbor in this State. from anv
other State or foreign port, having on board
any tree negroes, or persons of color, as cooks,
stewards, mariners, or in any other employ
ment on board OF said vessel, such free ne
groeS or persons of color shall be liable to be
selzed and confined IN lalI umrit saiu vessef
shall clear out and depart from this State
and that when said vessel is ready to sail, the
captain of said vessel shall be bound to carry
away the said free negro or free person OF
co or, and to pay the expenses of his deten-
tior; and in case Of his neglect or refusal to
do so, he shall be liable TO be indicted. and on
conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than
$1,000, and imprisoned not less than two
months; and such free negroes or persons OF
color shall be deemed and taken as absolute
slaves, and sold in conformity to the provi-
sions OF the act passed Dec. 2Oth, 1920"
Now, in opposition to this act, we presume
to offer the constitutional provision under
article 4, section I'd, of the original compact
The citizens of each State shall be emit
tied to all privileges and immunities of citi-
gems in the several States" Well might
Burke say that there was something beyond
''cotton and calico" in this programme or an,
other that shall hereafter come in the history
of our country. Well might neW Bunk,
arise to set back and controvert the present
position of affairs. But as we have no indca
ton of new Burke, let us look for mo-
ment upon an old Washington.
In the days of the disturbance in Massa-
chusetts, known as the Shays rebellion, an
appeal was made to the Father of his Coun-
day. Personal influence was wanted. Per |
sonal Influence is wanted to-day. Let us see
what Genl Washington thought of personal
influence in the day of insurrrection in Mas
jachusetts. He was appealed to as great men
IF to-day are appealed to, to intsFpose their
influence. Gen. Washington responds as fol-
ows
"You talk, nay good sir, of employing Snfu-
nee to appease the present tumpt1 in Mas
achusetts. know not where mat influence /
to be found nor, if attai- Liable, that it would
Ne proper remedy fs,,r those disorders. In, |
'"e"ce % nov Government. Let US have
0Vernilen' =. by which our lives, Liberties and
fope' .hes will be secured, or let US know the /
.Jrst at once.
"Let the reins of government then be |
he continued, "and held with
steady hand, and every violation of the Con
,titution be reprehended If defective, let Il
be amended but not suffered to be hampled
sGposuashi!e Il has existence"
Where are The Barke's Of to-day, and