Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-04-28

The subject we are here met TO discuss is one
OF surprising interest, and excitss at this moment
and has excited for several years past, the atten-
ton and astonlshment of the civilized world.
(llear) We see country which for many years
during the lifetime Of the oldest among US
has been the most peaceful, the most prosperous,
and the most free amongst the great nations Of
the earth. (llear hear) We see it plunged oil
at once into the midst oil sanguinary revolution,
whose proportions are so gigantic as to dwalf all
other revolutionary records and events of which
we have any knowledge. (llear) But do not
wonder at this revolution No man canread 1.-The
history Of the United States from the time when
they ceased to be colonies Of England, without
perceivng that in the birth Of that great repub.
lie there were sown the seeds if not of its dsso-
luton, at least of it's extreme peril and the in
iauL government 10 It's cradle might be said to
have been rocked under the shadow Of the cypress
the symbol Of mortality and the tomb. (Cheers.)
Colonial weakness, when face to face with British
strength made it impossible for America to put
amend to slavery or TO establish a republic free
from slavery. Qlear) To meet England it was
necessary to be united, and TO be united ii was
neces ssary to tolerate slavery, and from that hour
years-the love Of the Union, the patriotism of
the American people, have induced them con-
stantly to make concessions to slavery, because
they knew that when they ceased to make these
concessions, they rau the peril Of that disruption
which has now arrived, and they dreaded the de-
struction OF their country even more than they
hated the evil Of slavery. (lIear, hear) But
those concessons--as concessions to evil be-
lleye always do hil-those concessions have fail
ed to secure safety to the Union. There were prin-
cpes at war which were wholly irreconcilable.
Ine South, as you know, for fifty years have been
engaged IN building up fresh ramparts, by which
they might defend the institution, and the con-
tiIet could not be distant, and it was obviously in.
evitable. In our day that winch the statesmen
Of America had hoped permanently to postpone,
has arrived. (Hear, hear) The great trial is
now going on IN sight Of the world, and the yer.
diet on this great question must at last be rem
dered. But how much is at stake Some men
in this country-some writers talk Of il as it. af
Ter all, il was no great matter that had caused
this contest in the United States. | say that the
whole continent is at stake. (Cheers.l 1t is not a
question OF bound ry, it is no question Of tariff
it is not question Of the supremacy Of party
it is not a question even Of the condition Of four
millions Of negroes 1t is more han that. 1t is
a question Of whole continent, with its teemirg
aud of what shall be their present and
future fate. cloud cheers) 1t is for these mil
lions, aud among them, question Of freedom or
slavery, Of education or ignorance, of light or
darkness, Of Christian morality, ever widening and
lllbessing in its influence, or an oyershadowing
and all.basting guilt. (Cheers.)