The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-01-26
THE VOICE OF FREEDOM.
SATURDAY, JANUARY &c, 1889.


We present to our readers to-day a more exten-
ded report Of the late proceedings in the Senate
on the presentation of the Vermont resolutions by
Mr.. Prentiss. This is the second time that reso-
lutons of instruction, calling, in the name of the
People of Vermont for the action of our Senators
and Representatives in Congress- have been con-
signed to the Senate's table on the motions of men
thus instructed. The Legislative resolves of 1887
called for speedy" action. Those of 1898 call
ed for :" the utmost efforts " of our delegation to
carry the objects of the resolutions into effect
This summary method of disposing of resolutions
of instruction strikes us as alike extraordinary and
alarmng-scarcely less reprehensible than the gag
system now in vogue in the House of Representa-
tives. The resolutions of our Legislature, rela-
ting to slavery, the right of petition, &c, were
transmitted to Congress at the same time with
other resolutions relating to other subjects-one
asking grant of tract of land for the benefit of
each of our colleges, another having reference to
the militia of the United States. These last were
received, printed and referred to appropriate COM
mittees; but the resolutions touching the violated
right of the people to petition and demanding the
" utmost efforts of our delegation in behalf of
with laid out in funeral state upon the Senates
table, along with the spurned memorials of the
people. What is to be the end of this audacious
triAing with the resolves of sovereign state
Il Il.
of resolutions on different subjects, all emanating
from the same source? Such precedents are fast
becoming common law, and this by the quiet ac-
quiescence Of those whose rights are most vitality
affected.
1t may be said, that there was no reason to ex-
pect any favorable action of the Senate upon the
resolutions in the event of their reference to a
committee. This affords no palliation for a reiu-
sal of the usual reference and inquiry, as upon
other subjects. Forbearance and apologize palav-
er were sadly out of place when fundamental state
rights were so scornfulIy denied The demands of
Shareholders, so long acquiesced in by northern
have already brought us, in many
respects to dead level with slaves Their right
of petition is formally denied-so is ours. Slave
holders demand everything and yield nothing. 1t
is high time for representatives of freemen to act
on the defensive. Dear as slavery may be to its
supporters, there are some other interests not less
important to the unsold and unwhipt constituents
of northern representatives. There are some pc
cular institutions in the free states, demanding
the wakefu vigilance and manly defence of their
guardians. The recent assault up
on these in the Senate of the United States was
a capital offence against republican freedom-a
triaing with sovereign state. The
occasion called for no apologies or disclaimers, but
for manly and dignifed rebuke from the lips of
our Senators. The draft of the willy champion of
notification should have been protested and dis
honorcd on the spot, in the spirit of Matthew Ly-
on of old. We speak freely because we are free
and will be free. We speak earnestly because we
view the late transactions in the Senate as in eve
ry view alarming. Precedents so pregnant with
evil should not be placed on the file of our passing
history without timely animadverson. The de-
nquencies of men in high places are always the
most dangerous. dead flies cause the ointment
Of the apothecary to send forth sinking SAVIOR
so doth little folly him that is in reputation for
wisdom and honor"
" We offer to our readers rich treat to-day
in the Introductory speech of ALvAN STEWART,