The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1838-02-20

,bo Resolutions adopted at the last session of the
Ieo;sloture Of Vermont relative to tho annexation
If Texas to the Union, and Slavery in the District
of Columbia. The resolutions were introduced for
the second time obey were Withdrawn the first
time at the suggestion of a member of the Senae)
nv Mr. SWIFT, and accompanied by him with some
obIo and spirited remarks, and was followed by MIR
Prentss.
Mr. PRENrIss, of Vermont, said that feeling
himself called upon he did, by what transpired
on former occasion in citation to those resolutions,
TO make some remarks, he must ask the indulgence
Of the Senate for very few moments 1t is not
nv design, (said Mr.. PO in any thing shall say,
TO provoke further debate upon the exciting and r-
ritaung topics which have engaged so much of our
attention; much less is it my design TO disturb the
felings ofany member Of this body. My only pur-
pose is 10 discharge duty which owe to the Leg
sIature and People of the State l represent.
Sir it is quite impossible for me to express in adj
eouate terms how much l regret the
which was pursued on that occasion TO whic IA re-
fer and, especially, how deeply regret that re-
marks were made at the time not ohiy,as II appear
cd to me, unbccomng the OCCASION but OF a nature
better fitted much better fitted, to augment than al
lay excitement, here and elsewhere.
When the resolutions were presented, some
DAYS ago, with no other view, as was declared ut
the time, than TO have them laid on the table and
printed they were met at once with an objection to
their reception. The objection was not only ac-
.nompanied with unjust and injurious imputatons,
bat was followed up Immediately with motion to
Law the motion to receive on the table. The mo-
lion to lay on tne 'aole was ihSSle" "Poh' was re-
fused TO be WithdraWh, ana mus no opportunity
was allowed either for reply or explanation.
1t appeared TO then that it great mis-
take to suppose mat te resolutions were 10 De fca
ted like a petition from private individual. l
know that 1t has been recently established here as
Il rule oforder that the presonment ola petition
must be accompanied with motion TO receive 1t.
have no disposition to question the proprety o!
atrule but must be allowed not only to question
L. hot has IN tinn 10 ,b,an
before the Senate. The paper is not memorial or
petition. Sir, the States of this Union do not come
here humble petitioners. Their Legislatures
do not speak ir. the language ofpettion. They eX
press their opinions and wishes in the form of reso
lutions, the only form becoming their character
and dignity as representatives Of the People, And
when, let me ask, was the time that communica-
ton from the Government Of State was put upon
the footing of petition from private individual,
or a question made US its reception? Sir, such
a proceeding would be assumption of Il new and
vrrv hinh prerogativc-a prorogativc u unknown TO
usaTc or the Constitution, it is repugnau to the
nature of this Union and the genius Of this Govern
mcnt
And by whom was this prerogative asserted? BY
ren,emen belonging to the State rights school,
protesting State rights doctrines. b. gentlemen
who hold that this Union is confedefacy of sover-
c;gn States; that the Constitution of tins Govern
rIent is compact between SOVEREIGN States that
The senators on this floor are the REPRESENTATIVES of
tho states bound by the will and instructions of the
c,o,a agiS Ia,ures Are not the resolutions which
49,, oI;or@d resolutions ofinsiruction from tho em
iyo,nre of State to their Senators on this floor;
IA hov, could gentlemen consistently with their
ror,a doctrine Of state rights or consistently Win
INV iusts doctrine or principle inerpose the oues-
on Of rs5cen,ion How can they refuse TO receive
and nlaee ,ipou the journal resolutions of Instruc-
ton or. indeed any communication from the Legis-
joture Of n State? know that we have shut our
doors naaiust the Peopie and refused to hear them
by petition, but trust that we are not prepared, as
vel to turn our backs upon the State Legislatures
IA rer,,se TO hear them also
Sir have said that | regretted. sincerely and
deepy regretted, that remarks have been made I'D.
IN Ills ao0r ns uncacd for by the resolutions which
nro presented rs they were dsresDeclful TO the Ieg
islnnro and People ofthe State from which the res
o,n,ions come. Let me tell gentlemen. and | do il
with all possible respect that they mistake the
character of the PeopIe to whom they have chosen
to npplv what | deem uncour,eous and reproachfu
cnithets. Called upon. as am, to vindicate the
People of nv own State, shall speak of them only
as they deserve. shall indulge in no vain boast
ing on their behalf. l should do injustice to their
feelings as we'll as their character i'll did so for