Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1861-03-01

Out against mlnorilies, Once escaped from
the power of Hajorities, good csre viii be
taken that minorties are hencetorih hand
cufIed.
But, to suppose that nineteen free States
would consent to give slavery greater power
or privileges, under a reconstruction of the
Constitution, than was consented to seventy
years ago, when there was but one free
State, is simply absurd. 1t is a libel upon
the age. Who will contend that, though all
other nations have been steadily advancing
TO higher plan of freedom, the American
people have reiapsed from their own KEY
note! While the North does not, and will
not, seek to retract or avoid any point in
the present compact, il the question is ever
opened, it would be all opened and prop
erty represented 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
lind voice, and, unless redressed by consti-
tutionai guarantees, relief would be snached
~ the separation already offered. There is
no reactionary spirit that can extort greater
submission TO slavery from the present age
than was conceded by Franklin and Sher-
man, Hancock and Adams.
If The South wonld live in peace and
escape the agitation of the subject of sla-
very, they have only to cease thrusting
forward their aggressive policy of its ex-
TENSION policy that cannot escape the
stern and enlightened resistance of all
Christendom. In speech made by me at
the last session of Congress- showed that
the South ALREADY enjoyed her full share of
territory in proportio TO her population,
and that, should all the remainder be APP
propriated TO the use of the North, it would
be only at least a fair and equal division
There IS no inequality or injustice to slave
holders IN the exclusion of slaves from the
ierritories. As the London Times aplly
6,ggcsts "the South is not to be excluded
from the Territories unless the Southrons
consider themselves in the light, not of
Shareholders, but OF slaves"
Mr.. Speaker, | speak not of the sacra-
flee OF blood and treasure il cost to create
our present Union--not Of the glories in
its civil history; not OF its eminent proves
IN military and naval exploits MOI of its
grandeur and power among the great nations
OF the earth; not OF lis aceumulations Of
legal learning; nor yet of the illuminat. d
chapters in its administrative precedents, 10
all OF which, though American character is
only yet in the bud, secession bids adiru
forever; but | will ask, what higher guage
OF Prosperity can a southern military repub-
lie hold out than we have Witnessed and
now hold within our grasp in these United
States In what part Of the world is labor
more renumeraliye, or wealth less impcded
by taxation? Is there any denial Of this
III the planting States? Why, sir, they
have ineonIe,tably grown rich. Have not
the humber Of their slaves qualrupled, and
their value more than qnadruped, in three
score years and ten +? The advance Of the
American people in national and individual
wealth-the standing marvel OF the world
lis such that it has for forty years attract
ed, and still continues largely to attract, the
cnferprising emigrant from every nation
and tongue on the globe. The average
scale Of the comforts Of life here obtained.
the enjoymen,s incident to cultivated society
here SO widely diffused. find no parallel in
any other land These things may be
bravely altered but are they likely to be
altered for the better? New inventions do
not always enthrone the inventors. While
il is obvious that no single right which is
now claimed to be withheld can be secured
through the doors OF secession, the only
new right which viii belong TO this new
attitude viii be to make war upon the Uni
ted States.
Lei me appeal, them to all parties, tc
try and live under that Union little longer
which has not only secured our property,
guarded so well all our material interests,
but received the commentator of the en-
lightened world and given to us name not
surpassed in all the monuments of history.
Give US another span Of seventy years, and
prolong the hopes Of mankind in the posi-
bility of mans power of selfgovernment.
Donot let US break up the model with which
patriots, though with unequal steps, in con-
siguous as well as far distant countries, have
struggled and are struggling TO mould M
stitutions like those among which our own
still live the leading example. But if all
our attempts TO put off the evil day shall
fail, aud this matches form of free Gov
ernment is 10 be put 10 the EXTREMIST peril.
It will rally all the vigor remaining in its
Constitution in behalf of self-preServation.
It connot abnegate its power, and it will not
die willingly. The great heart Of the ma
fion will confront all dangers and survive, l
trust, to cover friends and foes with count
less blessings.