The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1839-07-23


Diplomatic expenses of the Government for 1889
Delivered in the House or Representatives,
February %, 1889.
An amendment to the bill making appropriations
for the civil and diplomatic expenses of the Gov
eminent for the yeur 1889, being under considera.
ton in Committee OF the Whole on the state of
the Union
Mr.. SLADE rose, and said that it had not been
his intention to trouble the House, during the pre-
sent session, with any remarks on the great ques-
tons which divide the leading parties in the coun-
try. 1t was always with extreme reluctance thai
he addressed the House !; and he felt his ordinary
embarrassment much increased by nsideration
Of the extent and fulness of the discussions which
these questions had recently undergone here and
elsewhere. lie had not the vanity to suppose that
he could adduce any new facts, or urge any new
arguments yet he deemed the present crisis
when 1t is incumbent on every man to do his duty
and his whole duty and when il becomes man
TO stand still until he edo great thing
before he attempts any thing hut to do, according
TO his ability, whatever his hands find TO do with
all his might In the fearful struggle going on be-
tween Executive Power and Constitutional Free
dom, every man should feel that he has a deep
stake, and that the efforts of tho feeblest and the
humbest may not be unavailing to turn the scale
and victory. If (said MIR 81 L can nfu
encc but Il single mind if can rouse but single
freeman, and give to his efforts right direction,
shall be amply rewarded.
But, sir, have other motives for addressing this
committee. 1t has been my lot to stand this
floor as an opponent Of slavery, and to bo idcnti-
fled with those who sometimes reproachod as
being men OF "one IDA - in the contemplation o!
which they are engrossed to overlook all 9th
CT public interests | am willing TO bear the re-
proach Of being opposed to slavery, here and eve
rywhere. L not ashamed to own that, on this
subject, think much and feel deeply. But, sir,
far from forgetting other interests, in my desire
for the emancipation of the cnslaved, the contem-
plation of the great principles Of justice which lie
at the foun Of that cause does but inspire me
yxJI q firm n1aJn fnIn
with which those principles are deeply Identified
am opposed TO slavery of every kind; to slave
ny of mind and slavery of body; to the slavery
whose siken cords are artfully coiled around the
spirits of freemen, well TO the harsh and cru
ell bondage which forces the sweat and toll of him
who moves at the bidding of taskmaster. Sir,
cannot stand still and see corruption stalking
through this land and crushing every thing beneath
its tread, without standing up and opposing my
feeble strength TO its progress M man can esti-
mate the consequences of failure in the present
effort to arrest it. The crisis is one of momentous
and fearful interest. The triumph of corruption
now, may be its during triumplI-a triumph which
may reach, in its consequences, far beyond the
time when African slavery shall have been exter-
this and every other land That slavery abhor
and detest, and shall do what | rightfuly to
root it out from the world But also delest and
abhor the slavery in which the policy OF this Ad-
minisration has long sought to bind the freemen OF
this country and intend to do what can to
take away the power of the oppressor, so that the
oppressed may go free. In both cases | am for
emancipation without delay. In one, do not ex-
pect to see it accomplished Immediately in the
other, hope to see it effected the 4th of March
lS41. Neither of these causes do intend TO for
get in my zeal for the other The sword of JUS
ce is two ged and both the Course of slavery
and the "corruptions of Van Burenism may be
made to feel its power.
The People tired Of Discussion.
have, Mr.. Chairman, listened to the recent de-
bate in this committee with some attention, and
have heard some things which sounded to me very
strangely On entering this Hall, two days ago,
found gentleman from Mary land (Mr Howard)
replying to the arguments which had been urged
against this Administration, and protesting to de-
fend it Its arragnment for corruption and abuse
of power And what did | hear from him Why,
sir, instead of serious defence, there met my ear
most mournful complaint of waste of time in this
discussion Instead of an argument, we were
gravely and reprovngly told that ''the People are
becoming dissatisfied with us as debating society "
Yes, sir, standing in the high position OF chairman
of the Committee of Foreign Reations--a position
from which he might well be supposed to speak
the sentiments of the Administration-the gentle
man deems it sufficient to meet the indignant re-
monstrances of the People through their Repre-.
sentatives, against the newly developed results of
Executive favoritism and corruption, by telling US
mat we are mere debating society, with whose
harangues our constituents are weared We are
actually gowned by the gentleman, and sent back
TO college, and held up a class of sophomores,
exercising our wits, and sharpening our facultiesby
intellectual conflict This is deemed by the hon
oraoie chairman of the Committee OF Foreign AT
position on this floor and fitting defence of the
Administration against the haavy FnrtilerV dawn