Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-10-17


oluiion of the House Of Representatives, Brig.
Gen. JouN w. PnELrs. recently returned from
the Department Of the Gulf at New Orleans, adj
dressed a large audience in the Representative
Hall last evening Ills subject was, Slavery aud
the War-mainly the former. The speech is
given in substance below
After the dissolution of the nominating convon-
ton, the meeting was organized by the election
Of Hon HE Royce Of berkshire Chairman Mr.,
Royce assumed the Chair, thanking The meeting.
A Committee OF three, Messrs. Fletcher, Ed
munds and lIcndec were appointed to wait upon
Gen. Phelps and conduct him to the Hall
At ten minutes past eight o'clock, Gen. Pnrrrs
entered the hall aud was received with great APP
plause The General was then introduced by the
Chairman
SPEECH on GENERAL rHrLps.
lie remarked that this was a most unexpected
honor, and promised to do his best % provide an
evenings entertainment. lie could say mu,h it
sufficient time we're allowed lie chose 10 refer
10 history. Called attention 10 important periods
in our nation, corresponding with similar periods
10 Englands history
The first period was the close Of the French and
English war. The first question occurring TO the
English of that time was what shall bee done with
the great number of their slaves lu course Of
time the leading minds Of England began war
against the despotisu OF English rulers The
second period the seven years contest OF English
minds against Warren Hastings We had then
vindicated our own liberty, and struggled through
the Revolution. Then was formed the COnstitu-
ton, aud the mechanism Of its formation was te-
scrbcd at length FIRST proposed aud presented
% New England by Virginia and Maryland. the
Constitution had hardly been formed, before those
who presented il nirlngcd it in favor OF slavery
After the formation Of the Constitution. but little
thought was given to any attempt TO abuse. The
traitor Burr, who attempted 10 set up an indepen-
dent monarchy, was allowed 20 escape. The an
neNation Of Louisiana was one and a very formi-
dahle cause of the present rebellion.
The Missouri Compromise was another period
iu our nations history. CLAW used $40 his talents
for compromising with all moral right It was
natural for him to take the whole United States
the field OF operations An anecdotc was re-
lated OF the scene of an act in trying to enforce
the compromise The measure was carried by
siN or seven votes, and this the starting point
OF the great evil which we are now battleng -
One simple law OF Incorporating the constitution,
VIZ :-thc sustaining OF liberty, and any other in
tcrpetration is wrong.
Another period was the annexation of Texas
We had 30 right 10 provide that Texas should be
divided into tive slave states We had no right
TO guarantee slaves 20 any new states This re-
hcllicn will show signs OF having been in CON
,truction for years. About the time of the closing
of the Mexican war, o rich jew of New Orleans
bought a church aud the preacher argued that the
idea of bell was mistaken idea. The COM
muuity were infatuated with the now star and read
ily took 20 bis doctrines aud when le argued that
our Constitution was also mistaken idea they as
readily believed, and thus was sown the seed Of
disloyalty II the time has come for our separa-
ton, DO remains Co Dee seen If those who have now
undertaken 1t, are the ones TO carry IL out. All
the leaders OF this rebellion are closely connected
with the Jews, and many OF them are reported as
such. The southern people suppose that cotton
cannot he raised except by slave labor
The effort of separation has long been concciy-
ed aud has met with many and great obstacles,
but has had a most potent influence ia Slavery.
Between and the negro there is an entire ma
tionaty. At the South there Is despotism rul-
ed by white chiefs, having for ts subjects the ig-
norant and enslavcd negro. Il will require all
our eNertions 20 throw of tls great yoke OF Slave
ry. There is a possbit, of DESTROYING it, The
sun never looked down upon greater evil than
American slavery In ruling this great nation of
slaves we have 20 degree become ensaved our
selves Here in Vermont is an influence working
for the determination Of this great evil.
The institution of slavery directly violates the
law of our Savior, that Thou shalt not steal
Every principle of the connFhdaicnt Is iufiinged
hy the cause of slavery. The war fiat this rebel
lion has given rise to- is AN eiorl ior liberty
There are yet three things 20 be done in putting
down the rebellion list the destruction OF
slavery; 2ud, put down the rebellion; 3rd, to
foot the bills. The war should he Short and des-
perate The Americans arc slow, are not fight
ing nation-we are too free for military nation.
We can fight; no one never doubted that
The southerners are great FIGHTERS and we
would acknowledge it if they had q single other
rcdccming principle. Our President has not seen
the negro that rifles the water. THE President has
finally ycuurcd upul tine great issue very tmidly
and has postponed its destruction iormonths long
er. The rebels knew when they fired the FIRST
shot that slavery WAS at stake, and must live or
fall. President Lincoln should irst have issu-
ed this proclamation and then we should be i'm
mcdiately free nation. let us rejoice that he
will now dare TO attempt after space OF three
months, the destruction Oi the Institution in the
face of all nations Nations have gone on to
abolish slavery. The West Srdh Islands now
produce more cotton than ever before. Why
should VIZ fearfor the consequence ofthe abolition
of slavery when we have such examples before us
General Phelps proposes 20 organize the slaves
into military bodies as the only means of careng
for them. They should at once Dc organized into
regiments and put in control OF those estates on
which they have labored. The city Of New Orleans
was not destroyed when occupied by the federals
because there was so large a body there opposed
TO such a rash measure. The city is entirely COM
mercial, living upon cotton, and was forced to
the act OF secession,
The stakeholder never considers that there is
any other than slave labor that could be obtained
70 do the same work The slave is idle by nature,
but by the influence of free labor more could be
done than by the lash
On the 4th of July great numbers of colored
persons came to his camp and he thought il his du-
ty TO protect and guarantee to them the principles
Of the Declaration that 'al men are created free
and equan When he endeavored 70 make men of
them and organize them into regiments and make
military citizens of them he was stopped, When
he took leave OF Them organized into fine compa-
MES anda flag representnga disrupted slavedom,
he returned home and found that the army had
accomplished nothing for the year
The south are not in a condition and are not
able TO maintain nation. They must have pork
and beef as well Is cotton andksugar
lie desired TO make some remarks concerning
his own position lie wasn the rear OF the stra-
getic movement on New Orleans, and thought il
his duty to do all to destroy the foundation Of the
| seeded states.
He had entire confidence in the belief that
slavery may be disrupted The slaves are contn-
ually being converted TO modern customs and
c;rtas The alovee have honp oksopt from