Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-03-18
0bc 1ttexitan fuar.
SPEECH OF MIR. FOOT,
ON THE MEXICAN WAR.


Speech but we find it rather too long for single
paper Rather than divide it, we give extracts
embracing the material points discussed
CAD AND COMFORT"
The Constitution of the United States has
made it the duty of the President 10 lay before
Congress an expose of the state and condition Of
public affairs foreign and domestic, and to rec
ommend such action as in his judgment shall
best advance the public veal But, where is it
made his duty, in his official communication
with The national legislature, to impugn the mo-
tives of those who may chance 10 entertain and
to express views counter to his own upon n
great national question which concerns and agi-
tates the country? Where does he find authori-
ty or precedent for sending into these legislative
halls a bulletin of denunciatlon against any por-
ton of the American people, or their representa-
tives, who may have formed and expressed opin-
ions not in conformity with such as he Processes
to entertain, in relation TO the origin the justice.
or the necessity of the war in which our country
is involved, and whose life-blood is flowing in its
prosecution?
When the Chief Magistrate of this Republic
shall become so unmndful of the dignity and
proprieties of his station when he shall SO far
disregard the ordinary courtesles and decorum
which belong to the official intercourse of one
department OF the Government with another, as
to assume the character of a volunteer accuser
of portion of his fellow citizens with hostile
intent against their own Government, and with
aiding and ebetting the public enemy, and for no
other cause than that they have intelligence to
form, and independence TO speak, their opinions
upon a momentous and vital questions of public
interest, how shall the audacous insult be met
How ought it to be treated? Shall it be receiv-
ed with silent and trembling submission? Shall
it be received with acquiescence, or even with
gracious words of remembrance? Or shall it
not rather be met with that prompt and bold re-
buke, with that scornful defiance which alone
becomes the action and the character offreeborn
men, determined yet to be free?
When the spirit of dctaton, or Of despotisnl
shall become arrogant and bold enough to lift as
frowning forms in these Halls, consecrated tc
liberty and free debate. end 10 demand submis
svc obedience to the high behests of power upor
the peril of Executive wrath even though 1t ut
ter its denuncatons with forked aud fiery
tongue, if freemcn would not basely surrender
all that is worth living for, and all that is wortl
dying for, they must meet the monster at the
Threshold; and without stopping to calculate
the dangers of tho conflict, they must cast ou
the unwelcome and insoent Intruder at once ant
forever from their presence. 1t has been said
that eternal vigilance is the price of freedom
| will superadd, that eternal resistance to the in
the only guaranty of public liberty.
1t is the first time, nd trust it may be the
last time, that the Pre- sdent OF the United States
shall deem it in the line of his official duty Oh
among his Official prerogatives, to charge, ethe
directly, or by implication, the crime of treason
against their country, upon any portion OF hl'
constituency, for the exercise of privilege
guaranteed to every American citizen by The
Constitution under which we live. Such charge
emenating from some humble source, coming
from some irresponsible libcer, from some com
mon reviler, some hireling rninion of the court
from some pot-house blackguard, might be passe,
by unuoticed. The lowness of its oripin woule
shield Its author from the notice of contempt
But, originating in the source it did, and coming
In the form and manner it has come, disseminated
as 1t has been through the length and breadth o
the country, and reiterated as it has been, ant
now is, through all the organs of dctraction ant
calumny, from the highest to the lowest; it rise.
to the importance, at least, Of claiming from al
independent and honorable men united re-
Spouse Of universal and unqualified Reproduction
The obvious purpose of the charge has beer
signally defeated and he who made it mistool
the character and temper Of the American peo
pie. The author of the Kane letter knows bette
how TO deceive and TO cheat the people, thar
how to ntimidate or coerce them. 1t requires
the exercise of different and higher faculty t,
WELD the sceptre of authority, than to play off
successful trick. lie who would succeed as
| juggler, might fail us hero.
Sir, the imputation Of moral or constructive
treason, or of a want Of patriotism in those whC
arraign the conduct of the Administration 70
wantonly and wickedly involving the country il
an unnecessary war, is libel upon as pure, ant
high-mlnded, and independent, and patriotic
portion of the people as their caumnator or hi
apologsts and defenders. Those who CONF
| IN thn at 81.
may claim as much regard for the rights and thu
honor of the country, is exhibited by those
who scan see no wrong in the King" hole
that the patriotism of those who stand withou
the pale OF Executive dispensations, is quite al
! unquestionable and quite as far above reproacl
and suspicion, as is the Wanted patriotism o
those, who, standing within the Kings gate
bask in the sunshine of royal favor, and who's,
place, and whose daily Bread perhaps, may bt
depending upon the degree of hattery and sue
sefviency with which they earn it. They ma,
be less leyat subjects, but they are not less hu
patriots. II they arc not quite as loyal to the
cropn, they are quite as loyal TO the counirt-
When Chatham, and Burke, and Fox, and Cav
endish, and Wilkes, and Richmond, and Hartley
and Grafton, and Burre, and others, uttered tn,
thunders of their Remuneration in the British Par
i lament against the conduct of their own goyern
ment in the war with the American colonies
were they wanting in patriotism or guilty o
moral treason? Sir, have not been laugh
thus? And the gentleman from Newly rk
(Mr. Strong,) is the first man, American or for
eigner, ever heard denounce the conduct, o
impugn the motives, the integrity, or the patriot
ism OF these men. Had the slanderous imputa
ton been cast into their teeth in the royal ad
dress, by the occupant of the throne of England
1t would have been at the hazard of his crown
if not his head. We live in practical dcspo
tism, republic only in name, when these Dol,
and high-handed offences against the hiphes
privileges of freemen may be tolerated and pas
sed by as Of small moment. We are slapes ant
not Jreemen, IT we do not repel and rebuke them
Sir, this is nothing less than an authoritative at
tempt, on the part Of your President, to awe Tho
people into silence where they cannot approve
the acts of the Administration in relation 10 the
war in which they have involved the country.-
But, the attempt has been most sgnay reproy
ed by It's most signal failure. 1t is not likel,
to be repeated. 1t will form no paragraph II
another Presidential message 1t has not sllaet
the freedom of debate. 1t has not silenced Nh,
voice OF tree press, nor yet the voice of FIRE,
people.
i Mr.. Chairman, if gentlemen ore very curious
or inqusitive to find evidence of treason, mora
or overt, against The country, they must lool
elsewhere than among the common walks of life
The culprit is not there. They must look L
MIA ,na -, Al, ILL. ~