Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-06-28
HON sLANERY Is INNoINEn-

NOW OLA Ek1 IL in OLN ED.
Anglo-American' writes to the Boston
Advertiser asking how auti-slayery England
can be expected to 81 mpathize with the Unit
ed States in the present struggle, when our
officers return fugitive slaves TO their masters.
II refers him for his answer to the following
extract from the London Spectator of June =,
which contains much greater share of good
sense than Is usual with English comments
on American affairs at this time:
But we shall be told slavery is net the is
sue. The Contederacy arms 10 support State
rights; the Union to maintain the Federal
claim 1t is political question not to be de-
cded on moral considerations. We blankly
deny the fact The Confederate States seced-
ed because Mr.. Lincoln was elected President
an election by which State rights remained
wholly unaffected. Nor, accepting for the
moment Mr. Dayis's theory of the sovereign
ty of the States, do we admit that State
right has even been alleged. The infringe
nent OF slavery is no infringement Of right.
II 1t be, why do we not restore escaped slaves.
ask the marshals TO identify the oolored fupi
tiyes in Canada, and send back Anderson O
Missouri, and to the stake: The first princi-
pie of our foreign action, for generation. has
not be made one by any laws; that it sim
ply an oppression which we are powerless to
prevent. Admit that the States are ordinary
oelligerents, that there is no question Of re-
belion, no English interest involved. and still
the cause Of war is one which binds English
men of necessity to the North. The North.
It is said, is by no means friendly to the
slaves, who have in two instances been re-
stored. That may be true though Governor
Andrew has formally rebuked successful
general for interfering on behalf of owners
but what has that to do with the dispute
The cause Of war is at all events the extension
OF slayery,and Englishmen, unless utter hypo-
critics, are as opposed to the spread of the in
stltution as to the institution itself If the
North wins, slavery, even fit continues to
exist must be restricted to the dominion il
has already acquired, will probably lose Ken
lucky, aud certainly forfeit Delaware. If the
south Is victorious, slavery will be extended
from Missouri to Panama. Whatever the is
sue those are the results. and ON which side
are Englishmen to stand
" We do not care to argue the question a.
part from this great issue, though there is
much to be said even on minor points. En-
ghsh democracy, at least, has no special rea.
son 10 support the cavalier against the Puri-
tan the careless, haltOreutal men of the
South against the thrifty, God -fearing indus
try Of the North Blu, discussion of that
kind IS too wide Of facts to be more than lit
erary amusement. The quarrel, cover it with
cotton as we may, is between freedom aud
slavery right and wrong, the dominion of God
and the dominion of the devil, and the duty
OF England, we submit, is clear 1t is to re.
iase to recognize the Coniederacy, even if in
that mysterious Providence which occasion
ally ooniounds faith, slavery should for the
moment win the game"