Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1845-03-14


dear to every patriot, shall devote myself
with anxious solicitude. 1t will be my de-
sire to guard against that most fruitful
source of danger to the harmonious action
Of our system, which consists in substituting
the mere discretion and caprice of the Ex-
ecutive, or Of malorilies in the legislative
department Of the government, for powers
which have been withheld from the federal
government by the constitution. BY the
theory Of our government malorities rule
but this right is not an arbitrary or unlimit-
ed one. 1t is right to be exercised in
subordination to the constitution, and in
conformity to it. One great object of the
constitution was to restrain majorities from
depressing mnorities or encroaching upon
their just rights. Minorites have a right to
appeal to the constitution, as shield a.
gainst such oppression.
That the blessings OF liberty which our
constitution secures may be enjoyed alike
by minorities and majorities, the Executive
has been wisely invested with qualified ve-
to upon the acts of the Legislature. 1t is a
negative power and is conservative in its
character. 1t arrests for the time hasty,
inconsiderate, or unconstitutional legslaton;
invites reconsideration, and transfers ques-
tons at issue between the legislative and
executive departments 10 the tribunal Of the
people Like all other powers, it is subject
to be abused When judiciously and prop
erly exercised, the Constitution may be
saved from infraction, and the rights Of all
preserved and protected.
The inestImable value of our federal
Union is felt and acknowledged by all. BY
this system of united and confederated
States, our people are permitted, collective
ly, and individually, to seek their own hap
piness in their own way and the consequent
ces have been most suspicious. Since the
Union was formed, the number of the States
has increased from thirteen to twenty-eight !;
two Of these have taken their position as
members of the confederacy within the last
week. Our population has increased from
three to twenty millions. New communi-
ties and States are seeking protection under
its agis, and multitudes from the Old World
are hocking TO our shores to participate in
its blessings. Beneath its benign sway,
peace and prosperity prevail. Freed from
the burdens and mseries of war, our trade
and intercourse have extended throughout
the world. Mind, no longer tasked in de-
vsing means to accomplish or resist schemes
Of ambition, usurpation, or conquest, is de-
: voting itself to mans true interests, in de-
veloping his faculties and powers, and the
capacity of nature to minister to his enjoy
ments. Genius is free to announce its in
veutions and discoveries; and the hand is
free to accomplish whatever the head con-
ceives, not incompatible with the rights of a
fellow being. All distinctions of birth or OF
. l. -
whether native or adopted, are placed upon
!, terms of precise equality. All are entitled
to equal rights and equal protection. Nc
!, union exists between Church and State; and
: perfect freedom of opinion is guaranteed tc
all sects and creeds.
a These are some of the blessings secured
y to our happy land by our federal Union. Te
: perpetuate them, it is our sacred duty TO pre-
f serve it. Who shall assign limits to the a
chievements Of free minds and free hands
: under the protection Of this glorious Union
!, No treason to mankind since the organiza
!. ton of society, would be equal in atrocitJ
!, to that of him who would lift his hand te
!, destroy it. He would overthrow the no
! best structure Of human wisdom, which
q protects himself and his fellow-man. He
would stop the progress of free government
i and involve his country either in anarchy OF
. despotsm. He would eStinguish the FIRE o
q liberty which warns and animaies the hearts
q of happy millions, and invites all the nations
! Of the earth to initiate our example. If h
n say that error and wrong are committed il
# the administration of the government, lie
: him remember that nothing human can b,
J. perfect and that under no other system o
J. government revealed by Heaven. or devised
J. BY man, has reason been allowed so free ant
! broad scope to combat error. Has tn,
:. sword of despots proved to be safer or su
,s rer instrument of reform in government
J. than enlightened reason? Does he expec
y to find among the ruins of this Union hap
: pier abode for our swarming millions thai
they now have under it Every lover o
% his country must shudder at the thought O
!. the possibility Of its dissolution, and will b.
- ready to adopt the patriotic sentiment, sou
/, federal Union--it must be preserved" II
- preserve it, the compromises which alone en-
~ abled our fathers to form a common consti
: tuition for the government and protection 0
: so many States and distinct communities, Q
- - such diversified habits, interests and domes
- tic institutions, must be sacredly and rel
&C giousy observed. Any attempt to distur
= or destroy these compromises, being term
= Of the compact of Union, can lead to non
- other than the most ruinous and disastrou
= consequences.
he 1t is source of deep regret, that, in som
he sections Of our country. misguided person
e. have occasionally INDUCED in schemes an
II Iii e he inn =