Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1836-06-30
Indian war--Tcxan war--slavery'
10. ADAMS SPEECH.

10 ADAMS SPEECH.
Our readers shall not often be burdened
with lengthy political speeches in the col
umns Of the Telegraph; but these are por-
tentous times-times in which every Amer
lean ought to understand we'll the subjects
treated Of in the following powerful produc
ton. Tedious as is its length, there is noen
tire paragraph that can be we'll spared from
It's connection, although there are many SEN
fences that we as we'll as onr readers would
rather have dispensed with. If the speech,
as a whole, is not the most weighty and
important Of any that has yet been delivered
in the present speech rmaking, time-killing,
quarrelling, money -squandering Congress,
the other has not come under our notice
Whatever it exhibits Of partyism, we say
nothing about either way, but give the whole
for its startling facts, its forcible appeals and
its momentous suggestions, which interest
all parties.
From the National BItelh gtReer.
"WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 1886.
L ne IOlnL TeSOluklOu ITOIll LuS SSndlC du-
thorizine the President Of the United Stales
10 cause rations 10 be distributed to suffering
fuGilives from Indian hostilities in Alabama
and Georgia, being under debate
Mr. Adams asked that the resolution should
be read; it was accordingly read, and was
as follows:
Rss0lved by the Senate and House Of Repre-
,,nfdfives If the United States Of america in
COnryess GsssEnbIed That the President Of the
United States be authorized to cause rations 10
be- delivered from the public stores TO the untor-
tunate sufferers, who are unable 10 provide for
themselves, and Who have been driven from their
homes by Indian Expectations. in Alabama and
Georgia until they can be re-established in then
possessions or 90 long the President shall con-
slider il necessary.
Mr. Adams, after observing that there was
no appropriation annexed to the resolution
which, II there had been, the resolution
must, by the Constitution of the United
States, have been made TO assume the form
ola bill, proceeded 10 address the chairman
Of the Committee Of the Whole on the State
Of the Union, in substance, as follows:
Mr. Chairman: There is no appropriation
annexed to this resolution. Weare called
to vote upon it without knowing how deeI
it will dive into the public purse. We have
no estimate from any Executive Depart
ment; no statement Of the numbers Of TIT
distressed and unfortunate persons whom
we are called upon to relieve, not with GU
own moneys, but with the moneys Of GU
constituents. BY an exception of the ordin
ary rules Of the House, especially establish
cd to guard the public Treasury against tn
danger Of rash and inconsiderate expend
lures, we are to drive this resolution throug
all its stages in a single day. And it is,
believe. the first example Of a system Of gra
tuitous donations to our own countrymer
infinitely more formidable by its consequer
ces as precedent, than from anything az
pearing upon its face. shall, nevertheless
vote for il. But answerable to my constitr
ents, as am in this as in all other cases fc
voting away their money, seek for pri,
eiPls which may Justify me, to their juds
ment and my own, in this lGuiSh disposal (
the public funds.
II is but one, sir, Of class Of legislativ
enactments now upon the pages Of our sta
ute book, introduced first, believe durin
the present session Of Congress; but wit
which we are already becoming familia
and which greatly fear will, ere long, gro
voluminous I shall take the liberty to d
nominate them the ScdLping knife and ton
GhGpk Laps. They are all urged lhrous
by the terror Of those instruments of deaf
under the most affecting and pathetic a
peals from the constituents of the suffere
TO all the tender and benevolent sympathi
Of our nature. It's impossible for me
withhold from those appeals a RESPONSE
and yielding voice, have voted for
those bills devoting million after MILL
from the public chest, for the relief and
fence Of these the suffering fellow-citize
OF my constituents. will vole for this r.
olution. will vote again and again
draffs from the Treasury for the same n
pose, should they become necessary. till
Treasury itself shall be drained; but, for
doing. must seek for principle which N
be satisfactory, first, to my own mind, a
secondly, TO my constituents.
And here, sir, the gentlemen who call
on Us forthese bountiful contributions Fl
the public treasure, are compelled to re-
10 that common defence and general =
fare declared by the Constitution Of
United States 70 be among the purposes
which the Constitution itself was ordai
by the People. admit their claims. II
are, indeed, two grounds upon which s.
ofIhsm think their claim sustainable.
ofthem produces precedent for this exer
Of power, and YET disclaims the authofit
The precedent ifsel6- You have already