Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1847-01-01


Message.
The committee resumed the consideration of
the resolutions submitted yesterday by Mr. BEoD-
HEAD, in relation to a reference OF the Fr25i-
dents message.
VI. GENTRY addressed the committee. He had
intended. at some more advanced period of the
session, when it presented itself in tangible
shane, to say something on the question of the
Mexican war But the debate yesterday, as
well as the Remuneration 10. his Mr. G.s party,
had induced him to change his purpose, and to
sneak now. 1t was more 10 show that he was
not afraid to speak than from any other object,
that he did speak then. The Pres dent had de-
scended from his high position. and violated It's
propretes, by declaring in his message that they
who presumed 10 call IN question his prudence
and wisdom in conducting the war were IN ttct'
guilty Of treas On and the Presdeut'S Aegemen
seemed ready 10 volunteer in the work Of relte-
rating that denu1ciaton against every American
freemen who had the insoence to call in ques-
ton the conCro. OF the Executive. Now ho
Mr. e. spoke ia order to bring himself within
the range of these denunciations. Tie and ms
friends were put their meltle A. wei a. thc'r
patriotism. They were called on 10 proclaim
their independence a, reemen, or 10 truckle 10
Executive menace. Therefore, he spoke lie
did not intend an elaborate discussion OF those
constitutional questions which mad been miro
duced by learned gentlemen IN the course OF the
debate; but it was to announce ms own OPINIONS
on the war. and assume their full responsibility.
A man, he held, might be loyal, ana yet opposed
IN tho President. Attachment to the Executive
was no necessary mark of patriotism. Inc mis-
takas of law and fact which had been made,
arose from the melancholy impression which APP
neared To prevail. that the President was the Go-
vorument and possessed unlimited power. They
seemed TO be rapidly advancing 10 that maxim OF
uonarchical allegiance, that the king could do
no wrong Though a man might vote supplies
and fight ON the battlefield be was, lorsooth, no
patriot, unless, spaniel-ike, be knet at the feet
If the Exerutive. That was the spirit which
had characterised the debate. lie protested
AGAINST it. Let those whose scr'jlity of soul
onali6cd them for the menial G' truck!e TO the
Executive; but he and his fr.oads had nobler
destiny to lulil. They stood for the defence of
the constitution, They had 40 disposition TO
truckle to a petty usurper, who came into power
, against the wishes of the great men of his own
marty. and whose personal character was unwor-
thy The favor of the mtaneSt mlrion that shouted
in his train The American spirit yet lived ;
and would not sustain the acts of the present
accidental President of the United States. lie
! held il as a general rule and would, IN ordinary
circumstances. GLADLY conform 10 it, that in time
Of war all should unite and wait until ITS end,
then TO call its public officials To strict account
| Blu, they know not for what object the war was
waael-,hey had 10 assurance that peace would
I he soon made In view OF all these circulnSlah-
COS silence was a crime and It was ne duly 81
all representatives of the people to speak freely
about the objects, motives, and conduct OF the
Fverutiye. The President was the executive
oticer Of the Union; and even as commando.
in-chief he was but the executor oi me WIN o.
- -, ANA had no RIGHT whatsoever 10 make
Wv C,r onv objects except such as had been de,
c Jar al bv lie national legislature lie Mr.. g.
cIa'eu W p 10 oin issue with the President in
'' po fa OF ycraciiy lie did no. believe the as
sertion Of the President that the war hna not
,';,n rocard to the Oregon territory They al
m,,n what the President said about their
riah, 70 that territory, They all remembered
,b si !, vas common rumor just before the pro-
~ Of the President was submitted to the Senate.
thut the Secretary Of State said to the senators