Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1861-03-14

revolutionary discord, and great impediment
to the development of the strength, wealth and
resources of the country. II we could buy out
this privileged property which is so little pro-
ductive, and let out free labor into the fertile
fields of the South, we should not only allay
cause of domestic strife and war, but should
increase the power and wealth of the country
and give new stimulus to its energies. We
should be relieved from paralysis and inspired
with the vigor of youth. The slave, finding
himself redeemed and destined for a higher
sphere in his native Africa, would no longer
give his master an occasion for alarm with
threatened insuuection, and We should have
need of no standing armies to keep our black
subjects in subjection.
This line of policy has already been prcfg-
ured in the purchase of Territory from Texas !;
and if it is necessary to pay the South for any
right which they may have in the territory of
New Mexico, who would not rather follow that
course than to submit to the moral degradation
of admitting that sldrery may be instituted there
by our government or people?
The South have no right or claim to intro
duce privileged institution into New Mexico,
but to slavery within the borders of organized
States their rights and claims cannot be ignor-
ed. There rights, however, may be brought
into full accord with the territorial integrity and
fee of principle or honor. 1t might not be de-
sirable, perhaps, to retain all our territory for
the loss of Texas, it is thought by some, might
not prove the least among the advantages to
liberty that will arise rom the existing agta-
tion.
Nor is the course of buying out our slave
property one wholly of policy; it is dictated by
necessity for, it must appear plain to one, on
reflection, that we must either redeem our coun-
try from slavery, or else surrender portion of
it not many years hence to the possession OF
the slave race. And why should we insist on
domiciliating the African on this continent
where our own race can thrive and prosper, in
stead of returning him to Africa, where labor
is needed, and where no white race can live?-
Why run so counter to Nature in our national
policy?
Even the low scale of human interest, as con-
tra-distinguished from principle, it is not reas-
enable to introduce slavery into New Mexico
for it is admitted by every one that it would moi
be profitable there. 1t would be transgressor
then, against reason to establish it there; and
whatever transgresses against reason is de-
structive of the fundamental principles of our
government. But slavery in New Mexico would
not only be opposed to reason, but also to the
maxims of morality, which are not so easily
modified or altered as are the mere points o
political difference.
But even supposing that we were freed from
our slaves to-day, the question still remains
whether the South, from their long habtuatior
to violence and force would be left in a condi
ton capable of free and sef-government. |
our slaves should be ransomed, the governmen
ought to have some assurance that the ransom
money would be appropriated, in part to sys
TEN of education that should have for its oh
ject the securing of the blessings of liberty t.
the people. j. W. P.