Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1842-02-09

r. VI
lar conlending that the question was
,rhelherthe motion 10 lay the motion 70
,seeiye upon the table, or the question OF
nr;viIege bad the precedence.
Mr.. Turhey then moved to lay the
whole subject on the table.
"Thr question was then taken on the
acton of Mr.. Tufney. and was carried in
no aff;rmalive--ayes "a. nays 81.
~ An Wise then moved an adjournment
..s;.h was carried. and the House ad-
M M Adams presented petition from
usrerh;Il. Mass, praying thatthe House
a,,H ale measures peaceably 10 dis.
soIvo The Union, which he moved to re-
q, II . Committee, with instructions to re- I
so,, AGAINST the PRAYER Of the petition, and
,bs reasons why it should not be granted.
Mr.. Adams Haverhill petition gave
me following as reasons for the dissolu-
ZION prayed for. viz:
/. Because no union can be agreeable
ar permanent which does not present
PROSPECTS Of reciprocal benefit.
Q Because vast proportion ofthe rev.
,uues Of one section of the Union is an
ousIly drained 10 sustain the views and
course Of another section, withou, any ad.
eQuale return.
8 Because. judging from the history of
mast ualons. that Union, if persisted 10, in
the present state Of things. will certainly
Oyerwhelm tie who!enation in destruction.
The following preamble and resolutions
Nere read BY Mr.. Marshall. Ha
"Whereas. the Federal constitution is
permanent form Of Government, and OF
perpetual obligation. until altered or modi-
fed 10 the modes pointed out BY that in
srument, and the members Of this House
deriving their political character aud
powers from the same are sworn 10 sup
port il, and the dissolution of the Union
necessarily implies the destruction ct that
Instrument, the overthrow ofthe American
Republic, and the extinction Of our nation
al existence. A proposition, therefore, TO
the Representatives of the people TO dis.
solve the organic law framed by their
constituents, aud to support which they
are commanded BY those constituents 10 b.
sworn, before they can enter upon the ex-
etution Of the political powers created by
it. and entrusted 10 them, Is a high breach
Of privilege. contempt offered TO this
House, direct proposition 10 the Lesis
hure and each member Of 1t, 10 commi
Eeiury, and involves. necessarily, in il:
spcution and its consequences, the destruc
ion Of our country and the. crime OF higi
ueasOn.
Resolved, therefore. that the Hon. Johr
Adams, member from Massachusetts
ia presenting, for the consideration
Of The House IF Representatives o
The United S:aits. petition praying III,
dissolution Of the Union. has offered lht
deepest indignuy TO the House of which
be is a member, an insult: 10 the People o
the United States, of which thai House i
the Legislative organ, and will, ifthis out
rage be permitted to pass unrebuked. AM
unpublished, have disgrace6 his country
hsrongh their Representatives. iE the eye
ofthe whole world.
Resolved further, That the aforesai
John @. Adams. for this insult. the first {
the kind ever offered TO the Governmen
and for the wound which he has permite
10 be aimed, through his instromentalit
NJ the Constitution and existence Of h
COUNTRY. the peace, The security and Iibe
~ cf the People Of these States, mig
well be held to merit expulsion from Il
National Councils, and the House deem
an act Of grace and mercy, when lh'
only infct upon him their severest &c
sure ftr conduct so utterly unworthy
his past relations to the Stale and his pre-
cut position. This they hereby 90 for Il
maintenance OF their purity and dgnii,
for the rest they turn him over to bis ov
conscience, and the indignation Of all tr
AmerIan citizens.
Mr.. NJ sustained these resolutions Wi
an elaborate speech. Mr. Adams reptile
He said these resolutions charged b
with high treason bu, this was a crit
defined 10 HE constitution. II was not !
for the punv mind OF the member fro
Kerlucky TO d-fiue it. He called for I
reading ofihe following paragraph ire
the Declaration of Independence.
THAT to secure these rights Cove
ments are Instituted among men; derivp
their Just powers from the consent OF !
governed; tha. whenever any form
government becomes destructive OF lht
ends, il is tae right OF the people TO al
or abolish it. and TO institute new Cove
ment, laying its foundation on such pr
ciples, and organizing us powers IN So
icrm ns 10 them shall seem most likely
effect their safety and hnppiness.'
"lt is the right Of the people," conti'
ed Mr.. Adams, ITO alter or abolish IN
government, or institute new COVE
mvnt: upon that fundamental groPosil
90 base my proposition" Mr.. Ada
then went on 10 state what would be,
Course 8; defence should the House IN;