The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1851-07-16
Stansbury on Democratic Men and
'Measures.'

The last Burlington Courier has n lorg
article on the Hon. LucIus 3. PECK, his
dcclension, and his letter. Assuming at the
outset, that, as a wcl-ineormcd man, and as
leading. member Of his party, Mr.. SLAMS
bury very well understood Mr.. PICKS real
opinions from the FIRST and would have con.
tinued warmly TO support him, as he had
begun 10 do, had not Mr.. PECK seen fit 10
make those opinions pudic, which also COM
PEELED him to decline tho nomination, 1.-The cx-
tracts which we subjoin are dcubly interest
ing, and throw some reflex ligh. upon the
commentator, while illuminating the text,
Mr.. Peel no gentleman.
"Mr. Peck begins with piece of tlisin-
genuousness, unworth, Of any man claiming
the least credit trr flank and manly charac-
ter-lie even now makes merit Of doing
SO early what common civilly required him
TO do three weeks earlier"
StansJury has "unT1eusam 7rcson,imenis.' -
"This is is y bad beginning, and we regret
TO say that the unpleasant presentimenis it
raises are in no degree removed by what fol-
lowe"
SonsJuyy has depom irish.
Heaven save US from candidates, be-
tween whom and their supporters there is to
be no generous confidence, no mutual regard
which will bud each to frank, fair, unoi.
fetal course toward the other p
Spmc miags Mr.. Peel dill not hare call
to sdy.
But, as VIC have before remarked. he
did no seem to have a call to say any thing
/ in bis letter except what initiated 0gdiHs
| his friends. To be sure, abundant oppor,u-
nifty offered, and one would snppnse The oc~
casIou rather poiucd'y invited, full and
hearty exposition OF all lho grounds he knew
| for agrcenon, with his supporters. if any
such existed.
.Stars60y COZ, }csses his ignotonce on rerg
pidin question:
ave do hot pretend TO knoic that here
are any points Of agreement between Mr..
Peck and ourselves"
1lr, Peel, =" demonstrates his caljJre."
Having set up his man Of straw to attack.
MIR Peck proceeds 10 dem onstratc, not the
oonsiitutionality Of he fugitive slave law but
the calibre of his own mind lie shows it
10 be one just large enough 10 grasp the
marrow formailics Of the law, but far be-
meath the enlarged and liberal views which
can alone ennobe the profession"
.SionsJury prponds a preston 10 Mr.. Pech
on Stopping orer."
"1f a court d" Stops over that is decides
question not before it, does Mr.. Peck con-
tend that that is to shut all mems mouths
loreyerg'
Somebody a" real, irresola'e and pusHLdni-
nous fool"
aust such men as Mr.. Peck proves him
self TO be, have, in al, ayes, been the willing
tools Of the oppressors of mankind. Weak,
rrcsolule and pusillanimous, the corrupt will
Of superior mind overawes and compcls
them to submission. They never dare to
venture on the sea Of opinion, without the
bladlers of authority under their arms. In
the smooth currents, they sometimes float to
the top, and again disappear, wi bout having
had any efficient agency, either in their rise
or their descent"
4 diatribe, COLL slouhter, and an amhori-.
ty>de>p'sing party.
"The very utterance Of such language as
this dintribe OF Mr.. Peck, shows the necess-
ty Of just such a party us the one he thus
cooliy turns his back upon; party that de-
spiscs all authority which cannot defend its
claims to respect, by something besides AFRO
giant dogmaiism."
.StdnsJury assumes " The unconStitutiondlay
Of the Fugiiire Stare Lar, for parties
ular 'Pmpose"!
awe do not feel authorized to assume the
unconsti,uiionaity Of an act Of Congress,
for any other purpose than 10 gire force and
eject 10 efforts tor lis repeat. The strongest
possible reason to be urged TO most minds in
favor Of n repeal Of any law. is its contra
vcntion of the spirit and letter of the cons
slitution.r
StanSbury counselS "pdSsire resistance and
murder.
owe do, however, counsel passice resist
ance--that is, refusal actively TO obey such
an infamous ordinance as the kidnapping
law, and peaceful submission TO the legal
penalties of such refusal. We do, also ,coun-
sci the flying fugitive that as an outlaw, ar
bitrarily excepted by the government under
which he lives, iiom the enjoyment of the
rights incident 10 manhood, he owes that
government no allegiance, and its officers no
submission, and that when it becomes neces
sary, TO protect himself from the most grew
Gus wrong which man can suffer, il is his
RIGHT 10 TAKE TIE LIFE Of him who con-
senis to be tie minister Of that tcrong. just as
it would be his right TO slay wolf which
threatened his life"
4 miserable defection," and good pluck.
Instead Of allowing this miserable defec-
ton TO dishearten US, let US show by our in
creased courage and devotion, that our prin-
cipcs. and our love Of them, do not depend
upon the fidelity of any man, but are proof