Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1836-02-05

spirit of our system? Is it either wise
or safe /, Has it any warrant in the prac-
tlce Of former tlmes' Or are gen'Ieme
ready to establish the practice. as an en-
ample Tor the benefit Of those who are to
come after us
But, sir, if the power to make reprisals
and this money from the treasury had both
been granted, is there not great reason to
believe that we should have been now up
to our ears in a hot war; II will be saI6,
/ know, that we had armed the President
with this power of war, and supplied him
with this grant of money, France would
have taken this for such a proof OF spirit
on our part, and that she would have paid
the indemnity without further delay. This
is the old story and the old plea. Every
one who desires more power than the con.
stitutlon or the laws give him, always says.
it he had more power he could do more
good. Power is always claimed for the
good Of the people; and dictotors are al
ways made when made at all, for the good
Of the people. For my part SIR, ! was
content, and am content, to show France
that we are prepared to maintain our just
rights against her, by the eXerton of our
power, when need be, according to the
| forms Of our own constitution that if we
make war, we will make II constltutlouaIly,
and that we will trust all our interests. both
in peace and in war, 10 what the ntell-
gence and the strength OF the countrymay
do for them. without breaking down or en-
dangering the fabric OF our free institutions.
Mr.. President, it is the misfortune ofthe
Senate to have differed with the President
| on many great questions, during the las,
four or five years, have regretted this
state Of things deeply both on personal and
on public account but il has been unavold
able, 1t is no pleasant employment, it i:
I no holiday business. to maintain opposition
against power and against maioritles, and
to contend for stern and sturdy principle
against personal popularity, against a rush
ing and overwhelming confidence. that, by
wave upon wave. and cataract after cata
ract, seems to be bearing away and destroy.
ing whatsoever would withstand it, How
much longer we may be able to support
this opposition in any degree, or whether
we can possibly hold out TIL the public
patriotism shall be awakened to due sense
of the public danger, it is not for me tc
IOretel'. shall not despair to the last, i
pies, If there be a stcadfast adherence t.
these principles, both here and elsewhere
#, one and all, they continue the rule ofou
conduct in the Senate, and the rallyin.
point of those who think with US and sup
port us out of the Senate, am content t.
hope on, and TO strugG le on. While it re
mains contest FOX the preservation of th
Constitution, for the security Of public lib
erly, for the ascendancy of principles owe
men, am willing to bear my part of it.
we can maintain the Constitution, if "
can preserve this security for liberty, If "
can thus give 10 true principle It's Just 81
perorly over party, over persons, owe
names, our labors will be richly rewarded
II we fail in all this, they are already anon
the living. who will write the history OF tn
Government, from It's comm ancement t
its close.