Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1842-05-09

nestimable blessings of civil liberty. and freely
worshippiug at the pure altar Of tho only true God
How ought our hearts to overflow with dutilul
thankfuness and unspeakabe gratitude to that
God for his gracious bounty to us And what an
awful responsibility do we lie under to Him, to
mankind, to posterity, and to our own conscien.
ces, for u faithful administration Of the great and
sacred trus. which he has confided to our hands
We have only to eradicate unfounded pre- udces,
cultivate harmony, cherish feelings Of kindness
and mutual concession, and be constantly ANNA
ted by true aud genuine American spirit, to full
I'll all the obligations Of that great trust.
Alter having very fully exhibited the folly aud
wrong OF the attempted repeal of the land disri.
button BILL the speech concludes follows:
We are met at every turn and corner by these
Senators, with demand for the restoration of the
proceeds of the public lands. They oppose loan
bills, duty bills, every scheme Of finance, and
would stop the whole machinery of Government,
because majority in the two Houses OF Congress
differ in opinion from them as to the disposal Of
the proceeds of the public lands. They cry aloud,
in the highest tones of plaintive and mporing ell
oquence, give us back our lands.
Really, Mr. President their condition recalls to
recollection the degraded case Of the dishonored
widow who held title to a certain description of
copy hold estate in England, aud had forfeited her
right by misconduct. To obtain restoration Of her
lands she had to appear in open court mounted
on black ram, and to present an humble petition
lest they should offend the delicate sensiblity Of
the grave Senators, but of which the following is
slight paraphrase and gentle expurgation, kindly
furnished by friend near me;
" Here am,
Riding on black rant
Weak woman that am:
And in spite Of worldly shame,
have played this wicked game
So pray, Mr.. Steward,
Let me hare my land again"
! Now, sir, although should not wish to see such
elegant cavaliers as the two Senators from New
York and New Hampshire (Nessrs. Wright and
Woodbury. appearing at the door of the Senate
chamber so i'll and so ungracefully mounted as
they would be upon such an animal, loud burst
OF laughter may not seriously and soberly in
sist that before repeal the distribution law, and
let them have their lands again. they ought to give
the most unquestionable guarantees that there shall
be no revival of those wasteiul schemes by which
it would be lost forever from us and our heirs
MIR. President have not strength, nor will
consume your time to recapituate. But i will
conclude by making an earnest and anxious appeal
to Senators all sides of the chamber, to unite,
by adopting these resolutions, or by some other
practical plan, in supplying the indispensable f.
nancial wants Of the Government The vaults of
the Treasury are empty, its credit tllshonored, the
public engagements violated. Who brought the
Republic into this deplorable state! The Sena
tors on the opposite side and their party when in
poverty their large scale Of national expendi-
ture; by their disbursement of every available
means, stock in the late Bank Of the United States,
aud all which they could command; by the debt
which they devolved on their successors, and by
their total neglect TO provide revenue within the
year to meet the current expenses Of the year.
Are the Senators on the other side not bound az
men of honor, to come forward and unite with
us in retrieving the errors OF the past admlnlstra
ton, and in lifting the Government out OF It's de
graded condition?
But if no compunctous visilings of conscience
no personal considerations, will prompt them tC
cooperate with us, let me adjure them, as coun
rymen, as brethren, patriots, at leas, to unite
on this occasion and for this purpose, heart ant
hand, with us.