Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1850-05-24

AN del vered on the California Question, on the
/ 4th inst which will appear in our next paper.
There is no necessity for our commencing It
to the notice and pcrusa of our readers. No
line nor sentiment of it will escape them. All
his constituents feel All unusual interest in
cceing ,rhat lie says, and hom he says it. No
Representative ever won his way more rapidly
or more effectually, 10 the respect and conf
dence Of the people of his District than Mr.
MEACHAM did, during the brief but animated
canvass which preceded his triumphant cleo
ton, by the simple and unostentatious display
the rare qualities which mark his character.
And we have no manner Of hesitation in say
ing that his first Speech in Congress more than
sustoins the expectations that the kndest poll
teal and personal friendship may have raised
1ir. MEAoHAM's Speech is directed principal
~ to the consideration Of Mr.. McCIernaud'>
Bill, which provides for the admission of Cali
lorua, the establishment Of Territorial Govern
mcnts (rHi0W tie prorjSo against Si0re1It for
New Mexico and Utah, and ihe adjustment, by
purchase, Of the boundaries of Texas. Each
Of these three utterly incongruous topics,
| (Which have no more necessary or natural cor
nection than the doctrine Of original sin and the
theory of lunar influence on tidc.) Mr.. MEAcH
! AN discusses with logical order and arrange
mcnt a force and felicity of argument and il
! ustratiOn, and an evcnuess and courtesy of
temper in debate, that are the result of well
founded and intelligent convictions OF truth and
justice. We canno; sufficiently commend the
admirable te3lper OF this speech in remarkable
contrast as it is, in every element OF real dign
ty and real energy, with the fashy and i'm
posing defamation Of Southern Speeches, of
the "rule or run' stamp with which the pre-
sent Congress has been flooded. Mr. MEACHAM
INDUCES in no termagant threats Of separa-
lion," nor does he ridcule extensively the un.
questionable " Cambyses yeinn Of our Southern
friends. He treats the California question and
the Slavery question, $50 far as it is national
question: as simply within the constitutions
disposition Of Congress, and to be disposed o
under the same legislative discretion, integrity
Independence and responsibility, that ought t.
govern the action of a Representative of tht
> People in respect o! eny other legislation Ill
States the Vermont position, on the SLAYER,
issue, with the painness and drectne-s of
: Nermonter ;-conscious OF recttude, consciou
i of patriotic impulse and intention, conscious 0
+ the impreguable basis of that position. w
: thank him for it, and his constituents will homo
c him for il, because he represents them, Speak
: ing of his own State, he says -.
d "IIer choice most unquestionably, is government
for the territories with the proylso, that was first pre-
sented for adoption Ii that cannot be secured the
il is as little doubt that she will sGStdin the plan OF Il
President. She regards that plan as originating
u, patriotic motives and she esleems rs author as OF
is of the most impartial, and noble minded and natol
al-mnded patriots that has trod the presidential pa
Z form Stree the organization OF the Government. 3
Id she can consent to no plan, to no action
ton, and to no compromise that does not give pos
= tive and permanent security for freedom in the teri
in rories. You cannot change that purpose. You mt
as well attempt TO unsette the foundations OF h
e everlasting mountains"
i. This is precisely the position of Vernon
ly No State in the Union has yielded warmer
I'd reader sanction to the patriotic and sensib
D plan of President TAYLOR, ard no state W
0 stand by him and his Administration more CO..
at fdinely or longer.
n Our readers will be struck with the easy al
ne sententlous style OF Mr.. MEAcHAMs speech.
I'd is Just the kind Of Speech both TO read and he'
ed with satisfaction-as pcrspcuous and INTEL
gible in manner as it is unambiguous and pr
as else in matter,--the Speech of man faithf
ra to himself and to the sentiment of his Stat
b. with large charity for the prejud.ces and e
ii rors of those whose arguments he confutes.
he On the whole, we doubt not our readers W
I'd agree with us that our Representative has a
ad Quilted himself WELL, in everyl sense of t
e. word, and we take particular pleasure in CO
Il | hot