Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1842-03-11

pcitly adopt the opinions of hers however respect
ed Their opinions may be on many important qucs-
tons
And should they answer these questions in the |
affirmative then have mistaken them as to the |
flrsi nor by any means do truly represent them as
to the second and will assure them that had not
even thought of adding 'eares 10 The ctapiet of my
fame by other means than by scrupuous and con- |
scientlous discharge of my duties
And in respect to The taunt about sage and arise
legislation, IN rcpudiatng repenlng law before
II has cen tested by EXPERIENCED apprchsnd but |
few of my constituents will doubt, but that, had such
been the fate of many of the laws which congress
have passed within the period of some years past,
thu, II country at this time would have been vastly
better oft than il now is: and, the contrary that
II has been the experimental test of experimental laws
that has caused the reputation of confidence, intcg
rty fortune and sacred honor, both of the nation and
individuals, as if all the evils of Pandora> box had
been sOwn broadcast throughout thcland.
certain have no disposition to withhold my rea-
sons from my constituents to the course | may
pursue IN chief, the discrepancies, or apparent in
conss enccs in my course, while acing as their rep
tesenative but on the contrary, shall always be
sollcltous for the privilege Of rendering them.
Perhaps no one acquainted with the circumstances
will doubt the fac but for the posponement Of the
operation OF the BankruTt Law, that it's defects,
(which were generally conceded to be MANY and inn
purt1nO might be obvlncd by amendments eore it
went INTO operation, if the law itself should not be
repealed 1t certainly would have passed, for it
was this circumstance, in connrxion with the land
bill called, the bill for distribution of the sales
of the public lands among the several states; the fate
Of which nr entirely upon the passage Of the Bank
rnpt bill, that induced many members of the House,
of whom was one, 10 vote for tn passage of the
Bankrupt bll wh.h | certainly should not have
done in it. present form, had i, not been for those
causes for con cyed the Land bill to be vastly
beneficial 10 the nation and to Vermont while could
not view the Bankrupt law IN the same light IN It's
present form
At the present session. sll believing that the law
ha better be repealed than to 90 into operation tn
out amendment vote accordingly; holding myself,
hnu in IN up M N n
ference to repeal long as 1t could be retained for
that purpose; a. will appear from my votes given on
| Mr. B iegs' proposed amendment. will safe the
| facts in that
| Whilst the repeal of the law was under considera-
ton MrBriggs with the view of saving the law, offered
an amendment and vote was taken by yes Il noes
on ts reception: when my name cal ed, perceving
| the vote 10 be close one, cast my vote IN the neg
afte against the reception with the view, should
the offered amendment be rejected # moving re-
consideration, shou d II be thought adv sable; bu
previous to the announcement OF Inc vote by kle
| Speaker, ascertalned by accident Urom word
dr. pp,d by Mr. Bolts, VIII hadlearned the fact,) that
there was major of one vote fl ielhciln9 the
| amendment, which rose and changed my vote,
and thereby avoided the necessity of moving recon
sidernton, an saved the amendment for the time
being; which occasion. it was ncetonsy observed
by one sitting near Inc, that controlled the vote OF
the House at my pleasure But on the following day,
the proposed amendment was rejected by quite a
majority, ] still voting to realnr,.
| ne ely refer t, this circumS ance to show that
was not ObnONOu 10 n bankrupt Jaw III ever IOTIN
and also TO show, how easily an apparent lnconsls-
tency may arise from the adoption OF eXpedlcnts fol
ever 50 laudlbe object
And will nsl who on earth unacquaintcd with
the mechanical power Of the lever woul not call {
man fool, who, in endcavOrlnG To raise some pom
derous body, should add 10 II the heit OF lever
crow ar?
But it. as moral agents we are permitted to devils
and pit expedlents according TO our capacities, 70
the accomplishment IF o ects, unles, restraIne by
paramount obligations, It IS certainly Incumbent OF
the actor, not 10 shrink from c. nscentlous DIS
charge Of his duty, from fear that 1t may have h,
appearance OF inconsistency; bur rather rest his cast
with the char " candcr ana conHdnece 0i thoscl o
whom he acts
another vote OF mne viz. the vote not 10 receive th
petition pr, scented by Mir. ans, praying that Con
rress would dcvlsc-.ncans for forthwith dlssolyn!
the Union, for the reasons therein saned; whlc'
voc unexpaine might lead to apprehensons OF IN
consistency or even TO an n andonnent OF The I'M!
versnl igh' of petition, which my constituents nat
good reason TO believe he'd sacred ana Inahenabl,
d. 50 hold, and 50 do many Others who " ed viii
me on that occasion; and to rs great an extent an
with as fearless and IN omlta6e spirit IN the pei
iormance of duty as that of Mr.. Adams AID other
who voted with hin on that OCCASION
And perh1Ds, the cause for which VIC are contend
ng, would have been even strengthened IN the event
had the vote been much t Her against the reception
than il was; even unanimous, excepting the vote o
MADAM WHO'S rea y,l lie d wllhns, TO stand alon
il the breach ne perpetual sentinel the grand land
mark whenever II may be 20 d Ilcy,or CXp'ilrntf
others TO retreat or draw Off; around whom tn
friends oi liberty and the right of pet ION, may aga
1nl again rally IN the defence and support Of human
rights accordingly as the best tines and occasion
shall olier, Or present themselves.
The petition had been before the House indirectly
NJ hlI been debated nnI considered N NIL It's consa
quences for the ace of iva weeks the House ha
been agltalcd IN the mean time almost TO dssGlu
ton, VIII e the country was becoming uneasy an
ont Of hInor at the delay of busna IS n Congress.
Those who had e2ad on the vnson, believing 1t
favorable oppor unity FIR destroying Mr.. Adams, mn
II q nt become .