Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1837-12-29
VERMONT ENIx
Friday Morning, December 20, 1887.


er of the House found great difficulty in
procuring any Wing representative 10 serve
on the Committee of Ways and Means after
the treatment experienced by Mr. Fletcher.
Mr. Briggs Of Mass and Mr. Everett Of this
State both declined the appointment. The
Committee consists of 9. of whom SIR were
Loco Foces and it would hardly do to add
another administration man.--MM.f --1suafns'
rubr~vut mo- ommshee- IN moving the refer
'Ss so;;- .aes. .a.se memorial was rather Sc
s se9lg' e .,q speqd the Committee nigh, be
instructed to READ the document
THE CONSTITUTION PRosTRATEDl
Il is with the deepest regret that we are
compelled 10 announce that the Constitution
of the United States has been violated by
the House Of Representatives, and some Of
the most valuable and important privileges
of freemen have been wrested from us by the
Hotspurs OF the South through the neglect
Of some of the Northern dough-faces to as
sert and maintain the rights of their con-
stituents. We allude to the resolution forced
through the House by the aid of the previ-
Gus question, in a most unprecedented man.
ner, by which gag is placed in the mouth
Of eoery member ,chO attempts 10 speak on the
slavery question, and Tie right of the people
to petition is virtually denied Yes, fellow.
citizens, it is our melancholy duty to record
the fact that the right Of free discussion in
the highest Legislative body of the nation and
the right OF petition by the people are taken
from us Read the proceedings in the
House, growing out OF Mr. Shades motion
and speech aud the violent measures used to
muzzle him, and Mr. Adams and MIR Duncan
4 A.
ings and attempted TO gire their reasons, and
say, shall northern freemen tamely submit
TO have gag thrust down the ihroats OF
their representatives by southern slave hold
ers and northern parasites OF the adminisira-
ton, when they stand up in their places to
discuss a subject deemed by large portion
of their constituents of The highest national
Importance. Shall our petitions be con.
temptuously thrown upon the table. there
to lie forever, under a resolution that they
shall be unread unreferred and undiseussed7
What is the name of republicanism worth. |
without its spirit2 Why. the veriest despot
of Europe will receive and regard, at least |
so far as TO read, petitions from his subjects
but in the republic Of the United States, the
people are henceforth to be denied q RICH, |
for which their fathers commended even unto
blood, and which the very serfs of the old |
world enjoy
There are those, we understand, in New
England and epen among US, who are so |
thoughtless and reckless Of the consequent
ces, as TO rejoice at the course which has
been taken in Congress, as putting at rest
the agitating subject Of slavery. But shame
on such thoughtess, such unworthy sons Of
the Pilgrims, il indeed they deserve such
a distinguishing appelIalion How short
sighted and limited must be the view they
take of this subject.
We trust there is no Wig so recreant TO
the true principles Of democracy and repub.
licanism as TO take such ground II will do
for the minions of Van Buren--the sup
porters Of Tory administration. to advo-
cate such course;-i is consistent with
their principles TO concentrate absolute pow
er in the hands Of rulers and gradually cur
tail the privileges of the people; but for
Wings who profess 10 maintain princi.
Piles which shall limit the power of
The administration and keep it dependentl
on the sovereign people, for Wings, we say,
to take such ground is an inconsistency SO :
great that we would fain hope and we yer-
NY believe but few among us would be gull
ty Of
Why, the veriest child can see at glance
that this proceeding strikes fatal blow at
the vals Of liberty. If Congress can say
that the people shall not memoriaIize them on |,
this subject, they can on any other, and ,
where then is the right OF petition2 We
have nothing to say of slavery in The States :
with that, Congress, as all admit, has moth
ing to debut slavery in the District of Co. !,
lumbia, over which Congress has exclusive
legislation in all cases whatsoever" and 10
the Territories. and in regard TO the adms-
sion OF Texas with its slavery laws, and OIL
new States with this incubus upon them, in :
regard to all these we say Congress has , ,
right TO legislate, and they are subjects of !
high and absorbing interest to the people of q
the free States and subjects on which the
people have right TO petition and to insist '
that their memorials shall be regarded, so v
Tar at least. as to be respectfully received read
referred and considered
But not only.is the right of petition by the
people denied them by this proceeding in |.
Congress but the equally if not more impor- i
liant right OF discussion in The Hall of Con. :,
gress,. is wrested from their representatives !
VI what use is it for ouI members 10 assem- !
BILE at the seat of government from time to I
lime, II they may not discuss the subjects 7
hat come before them, on The memorials oil !.
their constituents What if supple ma. !,
Iority In favor Of the administration should y
iorsooth on the strength of this precedent =
choose 10 rote that not a aoord shall be said bv :"
me minority s1 regard TO the MEASURES of me- ~