Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1865-01-27

lislstufes VI two-thifds Of the several states,
Congress should call convention for pro-
posing amendments. Herein we see the non
esty and wisdom of the trainers Of our Con-
stitution making so iudicous and perfect an
adjustment that peither the general govern
ment can usurp powers to itself dangerous to
the liberties Of the people nor The states re-
tain powers themselves which endanger the
safety Of the Republic. But, sir, it was said
by the gentleman from Ohio Mr.. Pendleton
Yesterday that there are certain matters where
threc-fouths Of the Legislatures Of the several
states may amend the Constitution aud in 9TH
ers not, and when the gentleman from Ken
tucky Mr.. Yeaman asked my friend from
Ohio to point out the exceptional cases he de-
clined or neglected to answer
Was IL generous in my honorable friend,
Mr.. Pendleton. the exponent and leader OF
a great party. to preserve such dignihed re-
tcence Could he not have told US, who
are earnestly seeking after light upon this
subject, wherein the Constitution, (ou side
OF its own reception,) cannot be amended.
Sir, bis love Of truth, and his sagacity as
lawyer, overc. me his zeal, and hence be
made no reply. Sir, admire the genileman's
ability, and commend him for his discretion.
Sir, there is but one limit in the instrument,
and that is in regard to the senatorial reptes-
entation, and neither you nor !, in NJ judg-
ment, can say so far shall this power 90, and
I no farther, unless we pronounce the Constiia-
I ton itself unconstitutional.
The several states became members Of the
/ T. n0n under the Constitution with full
knowledge Of its provisions, and 1t is too late
/ ~ Plead either infancy or imbecility.
! But, sir il is said that by the amendment
} we are interfering with vested rights that
! slaves were obtained under the guarantee Of
the Constitution that no amendment can be
proposed which changes the states of the
slave. am not going to discuss the ques-
ion as TO the right 20 bold property IN slaves.
Under my interpIetstio Of the Contribution
oegro slavery wss protected where II existed
by force OF law, 90 long as the sta,es 10 which
It existed and the people thereof rendered
fealty and obedience to the government. II
you treat slaves property, then the eondi-
ton ot protection was the allegiance of the
owner. The right OF protection aud the duty
# allegiance are reciprocal Independent Of
ali government, man is entitled to what he
possesses until dispossessed by force, and
when b. connects himself with organized
governments be Is bound to recognize that
government and live under its laws, IN order
20 entitle himself or his property tn its pro-
tecting power.
But, sir, it il not necessary to discuss the
right Of property 10 man. Coming from the
Green Mountain state, where the mountain
brooks leap from rock to rock, in the full play
Of freedom where the winds Of heaven sing
the song Of freedom among the trees upon
her mountain tops, and where good old
Judge, fifty years ago, said to claimant who
claimed and presented bill OF sale for slave,
Show me a bill Of sale ftom God Almighty
and your title will be recognized, it Is not
necessary for me to say that in my judgment
there can be no property in man.
But sir, it is said that slaves are property.
ani for the sake Of the argument will sd-
nit j, and it is further SAID that property 10
them being a vested right cannot be divested,
1t would be, 5y an amendment 10 the Con-
stitution. Why. sir, all rights reserved TO
the states are vested rights, all rights posses
eek by the general government are vested
righls. Suppose the states had reserved TO
themselves the right to coin money and re-
guate the value thereof, that would be vest
ed right aud vet will any gentleman say
tba, il FROM experience it had been found to
operate inj uriousiy to the best interests oi
the nation, the Constitution could not be so
sm-nded as to divest the states Of the rght
to coin money, and place the power in the
nsuds of Congress
Precisely 70 with the question Of slavery.
Il was vexed and troublesome question
/ when the Constitution was formed 1t was
then considered to b. local question, and
hat It would melt away before lbe advance
ui "a christian civilization, as the dew upon
he meadows before the morning sun But
experience has shown otherwise. 1t grew TO
1ecvme a monster. 1t cried give, give, aud
I uryer said enough Room for the leper,
vas the cry, and the free North stood Absck
aud said pass on, until from few thousand
it secame almost one sixth OF the nation.
Is such a reserved right (as shown from
expeiiehce) consistent with full, free, and
pertect development Of republican form ol
government Is there no antag nism between
free institutions aud the aristoctatc and cur
sed system Of slavery
Nov, sir if the Congress of the United
States 6nds thal such antsgonsm does exist;
nat slavery strikes blow AZ the heart Of the
aatioual life that it endangers free inetitu-
llons and a republican form Of government
chat il is Incompatible with the theory of onI
government that both cannot survive car
Il be said that there is no power TO propose
an amendment TO the Constitution whict
shall remove the danger Sir, think not
No gentleman upon the floor OF the House
has defended the system save the gentleman
from New York, Mr. Fernando Wood ) and
when he said that slavery was the normal anc
best condition for the negro race, negro II
the gallery exclaimed. " don't think ma,s'
hiss read his Bible much, or he would no
nave said that" A just condemnation OF l
sentiment which outrages the moral sense o
the civilized word. | commend the gentle
man to the blessed book which the poor blsci
man thought he had not read. In It he will
find that God made msn--not the white man
not the black man, but man in His own i'm
age, aud breathed into his nostrils His owr
breath Of life. And for bis encouragement
let me cay to him that he will ind there pro
mises of infinite mercy, and that by givinl
even a poor black disciple cup Of water IL
the name of his Divine Master, he shall no
lose his reward. Out Of the mouth Of babe
and sucklings cometh wisdom, aod hope tn
gentleman will not scof at the lesson taugh
l. - 1.