Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-03-14

isaton invites reconsideration, and transfers
questions at issue between the legislative and ex-
ecutlve departments to the tribunal of the people.
Like all other powers, il is Inject to be abused
When judcioualy and properly exercised, the con-
stituton itself may be saved from infracton, and
the rights of all preserved and protected. The
nestimable value Of our federal Union is felt and
acknowledged by all. By this system of united
and conIederaed States our people are permitted
collectively and individuality to seek their own
happiness in their own way; and the consequences
have been most suspicious. Since the constu-
ton was formed, the number of the States has in
creased from thirteen to twenty eghl two Of these
have taken their position as memhets Of the q,
iederacy within the last week Our population
has increased from three to twenty millions. New
communities and States are seeking protection
under its ngs, and multudes from the old world
are focking to our shores to participate in its bes-
sings. Beneath its benign sway, peace and pros
perity prevail. Freed from the burdens and mis-
cries Of war, our trade and intercourse have eX-
tended throughout the world. Mind, no longer
taSked in devsing means to accomplish or resist
schemes of ambition, usurpation, or conquest, is
deyoting itself to mems true interests, in develop
ing his faculties and powers, and the capacity of
nature to minister to his enjoyments Genius rs
free to announce its inventions and discoveries ;
and the hand is free to accomplish whatever the
head cOnceives, not Incompatible with the rights of
a teIlow-beng. All distinctions of birth or Of rank
have been abolished. All citizens, whether native
or adopted, are placed upon terms OF precise equal
itY. All are entitled to equal rights and equal pro-
lection No union exists between church and
state and perfect freedom of opinion is guaranteed
to all sects and creeds.
These are some of the blessings secured to our
happy land by our federal Union. To perpetuate
them, it is our sacred duty to preserve it. Who
shall assign limits TO the achievements offree minds
and free hands, under the protection of this gori-
Gus Union? No treason to mankind, since the
organization of society, would be equal in attroci
ty to that OF him who would lift his hnnd to destroy
it. He would overthrow the noblest structure of
human wisdom which protects himself and his
fellow men. He would stop the progress Of free
government, and involve his country either in an
archy or despotism. He would extingush the fire
of liberty, which warns and anmates the hearts of
happy millions and invite, all the nations of the
earth to initiate our example. If he soy that
and wrong are committed in the administration of
the government, let him remember that nothing
human can he perfect; and that under other sys-
TEN revealed by Heaven, or devised by man,
has reason been allowed so broad scope to com
bat error. Have the swords of despots proved to
be safer or surer instrument of reform in govern
ment, than enlightened reason? Does he expect
to find among the ruins of this Union, a happier
abode for swarming millions than they now
have under it? Every lover of his country must
shndder at the thought of the possibility of its dis
= Ilu ion, and will be ready to adopt the patriotic
ved." To preserve it, the compromises which
; alone enabled our fathers to form common con-
stituton. for Abe government and protection Of so
many States and distinct communities, of such d.
versed habits, interests, and domestic institutions,
! must be sacredly and religousy observed. Any
i attempt to disturb or destroy these compromises,
being terms of the compact of union, can lead to
none other than the most runouS and disastrous
consequences.
1t is source of deep regret, that, in some sec
lions OF our country, misguided persons have oc-
casionally INDUCED in schemes and agitations,
whose Oh ect is the destruction of domestic nsttu
tons existing in other sections; institutions VIII ch
existed at the adoption of the Constitution, and
were recognized and protected by it. All must see
that if il were possible for them TO be successful in
attaining their object the dissolution of the Union,
and the consequent destruction Of our happy form
of government, must speedily follow.
am happy to believe that at every period of
our existence nation, there has existed, aud
continues to exist among the great mass Of
people, devotion to the Union fthe states, which
!, will shield and protect it against the moral treason
Of any who would seriously contemplate its de-
Structlon. 10 secure continuance of that devo-
tion the compromises of the constitution must not
only be preserved, but sectional jeaousies and
: hearburnngs must be discountenanced; and all
= should remember that they are members of the
, same political family, having common destiny.
10 increase the attachment Of our people to the
. Union, our laws should be just. Any policy which
shall tend to favor nonopOlies, or the peculiar in
terests Of sections or classes must operate to the
injury OF their teloW-cltlzenS, and should be a.
u yoided If the compromise of the constitution be
! preserved, if sectional ealousies and heartburn
u nigs be discontinued, if our laws be just, and the
Il government be practically administered strictly
within the limits of the power pres crbed to it,
y we may discard all approximations for the safety of
the Union
With these views of the nature, character aud
{ objects of the government, and the value Of the
Union, shall steadily oppose the creation of those
u institutions and systems which, in their nature,
tend to Pervert it from its legitimate purposes, and
make the instrument OF sections, classes and in
5 diyIduals. We need no national banks. or other
extraneous Institutions, planted around the goveIn4
ment to control or strengthen it in opposition to
$ the will off its authors. Experience has taught
how unnecessary they are as auxllllares of the
+ public authorities, how impotent for good and how
u powerful for mischief.
It Ours was intended to be plain and frugal gov -
+ eminent; and shall regard it to be my duty to re-
: commend to Congress, and, as far as the Execu-
s tive is concerned, to enforce by all the means with
u in my power the strctest economy in the expendi-
u ture Of the public money. which may be cumpati-
i BILE with the public interests.
A national debt has become almost an institu-
y ton of European monarchies. 1t is viewed in
=, some of them as an essential prop to existing
u monarches. Melancholy is the condition of that
people whose government can b. sustained only
:, by system which periodically transfers large
1t amounts from the labor Of the many the Golfers
!, ofthe few. Such system is incompatible with the
u ends for which republican government was in
: stitued Under wise policy, the debts contract-
: ed in our revolution, and during the war of 1879,
have been happily eXtinguished. BY Judicious
: application of the revenues, not required for other
necessary purposes it is not doubted that the debt
II which has grown out of the circumstances of the
! last few years may be speedily paid off.
: congratulate my felow-ctzens on .the entire
;. restoration Of the credit of the general government
e of the Union, and that of many of the States
:. Happy would itbe for the indebted States, if they
u were freed from their liabilities, nl>ny of which
!, wure incautiously contracted. Although the gov
n ernment of the Union is neither in legal nor "a
moral sense bound for the debts of the States and
d it would be a violation of our compact of Union to
J. assume them, yet we cannot but feel deep inter
.: ~, I'll tie SLatas Lhnir i,li H. b.