Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1861-03-07


each in turn, we find this that they will become
the neW New England OF the cotton heptarchy
but the disgust arises from the obstinate vote of
New England and, though am for concilia-
ton, | cannot honestly that forsee any milen-
mum at hand when will have repented Of the
ianatcism they have so long manifested in the
persecution OF the prophets OF modern democra-
cy, as that rarty will, fear, continue to furn-
ish abundant provocation.
There seems to be tenacity Of purpose, by
some amendment OF the Constitution, to loist the
word siavery into that Instrument, in order to
secure to it, by prolific brood Oh logical infer
ences, higher degree Of protection as property
Not content with the language Of the Constitu-
ton, it is hoped to make the rose, not more ar
omalic, but still entitled to higher consideration
under another name. have not time to discuss
the length and breadth Of this apparently very
innocent proposition, and will only say that the
language Of the trainers of the Constitution was
well chosen, expressed all they intended, and all
we intend now and forever. Whether slaves are
merely property or persons, in the language of
Sterne - Disguise myself as thou will, sill.
slavery. said |, still thou art bitter draught"
The idea OF a reconstruction Of the Constitu-
ton held out by the architects Of ruin, who now
bear despotlc sway IN the South, to- those who
hesitate to break away from the ark Of our COW
enant, lisa fraud in It's southern aspect, as South
Carolina and the autOcratic Yanceys have al
ready imperousIy indicated, and wholly falla-
clons IN Its northern aspect, as time will surely
proclaim The leaders in the cotton States
mean something far different from rec0nstruc.
ton, and nothing less than revolution and lts
consequences have been invoked hom the outset
They may snatch some parts OF our system Of
government. but, like the foriresses they have
seized, they will be converted to unwonted uses:
and stiff with the embroidery Of new devices,
seek protection no longer against ma critics, bat
against mnorites Once escaped from the
power OF mal0rities, good care will be taken
that minoritles are henceorth haudcuiftd
But, to suppose that nineteen free States
would consent to give slavery greater power or
privileges, under a reconstruction Of the Caast-
tuition, than was consented ta seventy yea,s ago,
when there was but one free State, is simply alb
surd. 1t is libel upon the age Who. will
contend that though all other nations hayo been
steadily advancing to higher plane Of freedom,
the American people have relapsed from their
own key note2 While the North does act, and
Will not, seek to retract Or avoid any point in
the present compact, ii the question Is ever op-
ened il would be all opened and property rep.
resented on one side Of Mason and Dixon's line
would be on the other or none at all. Open all
these questions, and the grievances OF the North,
now dumb, would find voice, and, unless redress
sed by constitutional guarantees, relief would
be snachef in the SEPARATION already offered -
There is no reaetonary spirit that can extort
greater submission to slavery from the present
age than was conceded by Franklin aud Shsr-
man, Hlncock and Adams
If the South would live in peace and escape
the agitation Of the subject Of slavery, they have
only to cease thrusllng forward their aggressive
policy OF its extensoa--a policy that cannot
escape the stern and enlightened resistance ofaIl
Chrlslendom In speech made by me at the
lase session of Coosra~~ ~Lo.ss aha tho South
already enjoyed her full share of territory in
proportion to her population, ani that, should
all the remainder be appropriated to the use of
the North, it would be only at last fair and
equal division. There is no inequality or in.
Justice to Shareholders in the exclusion Of slaves
from the Territories. As tho London Times
apty suggests, g the South is not to be exclud-
ed from Territories unless the SOuthrons consid-
er themselves in the light, not of Shareholders,
but Of slaves.
Mr.. Speaker, speak not of the sacrifice of
blood and treasure it cost to create our present
Union-not OF gioies in its civil history not
of its emement proves in militlry and navel cx-
plpits not OF its grandeur and power among
the great nation OF the earth uoi OF its accum.
uatlons of legal learning nor yet of the illu-
minated chapters in its administrative preced-
dents, to all OF which, though American charac-
ter is only yet in the bud, secession bids adeu
forever but will ask, what higher guage Of
prosperity can a southern military republic
hold out than we have witnessed and now hold
wthin our grasp in these United States? In
what part of the world is labor more remunera-
tive, OF wealth less lmpeded by taxation Is
there any denial Of this in the planting States
Why, sir, they have incontestably grown rich.
Have not the number OF their slaves quadrupled,
and their value more than quadrupied, in three.
score years and ten The advance of the Amer.
lean people in national and individual wealth.
the standing marvel OF the worlds such that
it has for forty years atttacted and still c)ntin-
ues largely to attract, the enterpiising emigrant
from every nation and tongue on the globe
The average scale Of the comforts of life here
obtained, the enjoyments incident to cultivated
society here so widely diiused find no parallel
in any other land These things may be bravely
altered, but are they likely to be altered far Tho
better New inventions do not always en;hrone
the inventors While it is obvious tina, no sim
gle right which is now claimed to be withheld
can be secured through the doors Of secession,
the only new right which will hOlong to this
attitude will be the right to make war upon the
United States
Let me appeal, then, to all parties, to try to
live under that Union little longer which has
not only secured our property, guarded SO well
all our material interests but which has recey-
ed the commentator of the enlightened world
and given TO Us a name rot surpassed in all the
monuments of history, Give us another span Of
seventy yeaSsand proons the hopes Of mankind
in the possibility Of man power ofselfgovern
ment. DO not let us break up the mod with
which patriots, thoagh with unequal steps, in
contiguous rs we'll as far distant countries, have
! s.rnrclnl and IRE slrun r..n. No. mnnll insLiLl-