Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-05-06
NUMBER 81.

the incipent anu inSuiOus endorsements OF power
is the only guaranty Of public liberty.
Il is the first time and trust it may be the last
time, that the President Of the United States shall
deem il in the line Of his official duty, among
his official prerogaliyes to charge, either directly
by implication, The crime Of treason against their
country, upon any portion Of his constituency, for
the exercise Of privilege guaranteed TO every Amer
lean citizen by the Constitution under which we
live. Such charge emanaiing from some humble
source, coming from some irresponsible libeer,
from some common reviler, some hireling minion
OF the court, from some pot-house bIockguard,
might be passed by unnoticed. The lowness Of its
origin would shield its author from the notice OF
contempt. But, originating in the source il did,
and coming in the form aud manner it has come,
disseminated as il has been through the length and
breadth of the country, and reiterated as il has bcen
and now is, through all the organs Of detraction
and calumny, from the highest to the lowest; 1t
rises 10 the importance, at least of claiming from
all independent and honorable men a united re-
Spouse Of universal and unqualified reprobaon.-
The obvious purpose OF the charge has been sig
nally defeated and he who made il nstook the
character and temper Of the American people,
The author Of the Kane letter knows better how TO
deceive and to cheat the people, than how to init
midaie or coerce them II requires the exercise of
different aud higher faculty TO WELD the sceptre
Of authority than to play of successful trick
He who would succeed as jugger, might fail as
here.
Sir, the imputaon OF moral or constructive
treason, or of want Of patriotism in those who
arraign the conduct of the Administration for wan
tony and wckedy involving the country in an
unnecessary war. is libel upon as pure and high
minded, and independent, and patriotic portion
of the people their calumniaior or his apoogisis
and defenders Those who came within the cate
CORY of Executive denunciation may claim as much
regard for the right and the honor of the country,
is exhibited by those who "csn see no wrong in
the King" hold that the patriotism Of those who
stand without the pale Of Executive dspensations.
is quite unqnestionable, and quite as far above
reproach and suspicion, is the Wanted patriotism
of those, who standing within the Kings gate,
bask in the sunshine Of royal favor, and whose
place. and whose daily bread, perhaps, may be de-
pending upon the degree of Aalery and subseryien-
cy with which they earn il. They may be less
loyal subjects, but they not less true patriots
If they quite loyal to the oropn they are
quite as loyal to the country. When Chatham, and
Burke, aud Fox, aud Cayendish, and Wilkes, and
Richmond and Hartley and Grafton, and Barre
and Others uttered the thunders of their denuncia-
ton in the British Parliament against the conduct
of their own government in the war with the Amer
lean colonies. we're they wanting in patriotism or
guilty OF moral treasonl Sir have not been
taught thus! And the gentleman from New-York,
(Mr Strongly is the first man, American or for
eigner, | ever heard denounce the conduct, or i'm
pugn the motives, the integrity, or the patriotism
Of these men Had the slanderous impuialion been
cast into their teeth in the royal address, by the
occupant Of the throne of England, it would
have been at the hazard Of his crown, if not his
head. We live in practical despoiism, republic
only in NAME when these bold and high-handed
offences against the highest privileges Of freemen
may be tolerated and passed by of small moment.
We are stares aud not freemen, IL we do not repel
I q =.
authoritative attempt the part Of your President.
TO awe the people into silence where they cannot
approve the acts Of the Administration in relation
TO the in which they have involved the country.
But the attempt has been most sgnally reproyed
by its most signal failure. 1t is not likely TO be
repeated. 1t will form no paragraph in another
Presidential message. Il has not stfed the free
dom of debate. II has no, silenced the comments
of free press. 1t has not gagged the voice of
free people.
Mr. Chairman, If gentlemen are very curious OF
| inquisitive 10 find evidence OF treason, moral or
overt, against the country, they must look else.
where than among the common walks Of life. The
culprt is not there. They must look TO higher pla-
ces even than the halls Of Congress. The princi-
pal is NOT 10 be found here although perchance,
they may catch Up some Of his aidcrs aud abelolrs.
Go TO your department of State, and from its deep
and hidden recesses, from its secret archives,
drag forth to the gh. of broad day the secret cor
respondence Of your President, through his prime
minister, with the notorious and exiled Santa An.
ma Adop, the resolution offered the other day by
my friend from Massachusetts, (Mr Ashmun,) aud
lei the world see and know, not only by whose
agency and whose direction but upon what terms
and conditions, and upon what considerations, the
most arch enemy Of the United States, with his
retinue of some sixty Hispano- Mexicans, thrsting
for the blood Of soldiers and our citizens was
permitted TO return unnioesied to his own country