North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1852, 1851-10-18
VERMONT.

We ind, In our n ortnern exchanges, the following
telegraphic synopsis of the Mesa ge of Gov. Will
liams, of Vermont:
MoNrPEL1ER, VT Oct. 10. Gov. Williams trans
mitted his annual message to the Legislature yester
day. He makes appropriate illusions to the various
oflocal interest," and trusts the legislature will
bear in mind that they responsible higher law
and higher power than the people, else the oath of
Office they have taken is mockery. He regrets tina
conscience is secuted in these latter days, but does
not believe that the people of Vermont entertain a
notion that they absolved from obedience to law
which does not happen to suit their views. The law
must be enforced-it should be remembered that laws
themselves are subject to public opinion and the pro-
visions of the constitution, and therefore may be
changed or annulled. 1t is the province of the ju
dietary to determine all constitutional questions.
The Governor thinks it not best to boast too much
OF our attachment TO the Union, lest overmuch zeal
might give ground for suspicion. He states that
Vermont solicited admission into the Union, and full
y adopted the constitution. She has never asked
Important amendments, and never been found with
others inacts tending to the voationof the He
hopes that the cry of danger 10 the Union. like the
cry of danger to the church in England, is be
made pretext for arbitrary measures or degrading
submission.
i but that if disappointed, Vermont will und oubt
eddy seek redress liz the Union and not out. He re-
Dukes other States for meddling with the Legislation
of Vermont and reminds them that the time to COM
plain is when their rights violated.
The Governor discusses the fugitive-slave act of
Congressa and the habeas corpus of Vermont
siderable length. He doubts the constitutionaty of
the former, but has doubt of the constitutionay
of the latter but is content leave both to the ap-
proprate judicial tribunals established by the consti
tuition.
The Governor, in conclusion, commends the Pres
dent for executing the laws and thinks the differences
of opinion upon delicate constitutional questions
ground for withdrawal of confidence from public
He says emphatcally the laws of the land must be
enforced"
Gov. Williams was elected by the Wing party of
Vermont, and during his first term the Assembly of
that State passed the " habeas corpus act'' above
ferred to, multiplying The fugitive saUe a,o, and he az
proved the law. He was nominated for reelection
by his party, and was reelected last month, by an
increased majority. There were three candidates in
the field, to wit: Gov. Williams, the candidate of
the Wing party proper-a Democrat of the old line,
in favor of the fugiveslave law, and also in favor of
nonnerference by Congress in the slavery question
and an Abolition candidate. Gov. Williams re-
ceived some %, 900 votes, the Abolition candidate
some $4,000, and the ole line Democrat some 5000
Vermont is Wing State by about three to one; and
the multiplying law, above alluded to, was passed
mainly by the Wing party and approved by Wing
Governor. These are facts; and We have spoken
particularly of Whigism connected with this bust
ness, because Wing papers in this State reoiced
the reelection of Williams and pointed with notes of
triumph, as of old, to Vermont the Sc Wig star
that never SETS" If any Wing paper this State
has condemned and denounced this man Williams, |
we do not know it {; and certain that the |
Recorder and Goldsborough Telegraph,
at least, announced his election in such
10 show their qualification at the result.
Gov. Williams takes ground for the higher laws
regrets that conscience is not nursed in these
latter days ought to be-doubs the constitution
Atty of the ugitvesave act but has doubts about
The law of Vermont multiplying that act-and states, |
generally, that Vermont. if disappointed aggrieved
will seek redress in the Union and not out of it.
Here is Union for you, with vengeance!
He also IS rebukes other States for meddng with the
legislation of Vermont, and reminds them that the
ime to complain is when their rights violated -!
This is the coolest piece of impudence on record.
Why, what has Vermont done! Has she not nulli-
led law of Congress, tramped on the Federal Con-
tiuton. and denied expressly, by law, the /" rights
# the slaveholding States?
Gov. Williams also says that the laws must be
nforced but he had just pronounced the fugitive
lave law of doubtful constitutionality, and had re-
minded the Legislature of obligations to '.hgh- :
r law" What base hypocrisy! Much would >
re give for his compliments to President Fill
lore or FOR his expressions in favor of the execution
the laws, when these things coupled in the
anne breath with appeals to ''conscence - and u
higher law" and with rank disloyalty to the Con-
tution and Union Of the States! 1t is impossible
lat any right-minded should respect such a
Governor this, who disgraces the seat he fills,
nd poutes, by his presence, the atmosphere of the
nited States. If he the Governor of foreign
tate, the matter would a different aspect t.
so-he is the first officer of sister State, en-
lied TO equal voice in the Senate of the Union Il
it'll States whose rights she has denied, whose in 81
buttons she has reviled and slandered, and whose
'nmon Constitution she has tramped in the dust. fc
7e did indulge the hope, until the promulgation of
is Message that Vermont would repeal her obnox- Of
US law in relation to the fugtive-slave act, and
oud return, under better influences, her duty
II co-States and to the common Congress; but we
Ell bound to confess that perceive at present
prospect of such return TO duty. VI
Vermont, it is true, is a small State but she is 81
equal in sovereignty of the other States, and the
inciple involved is important in her it l.
ould be with New York Pennsylvania. If she 81
n set at naught the laws of Congress passed in fr
issuance of the Constitution, and remain in the TO
Mon, enjoying its advantages and benefits, other ru
aes may do the same; in other words, if her ex- m
lpe is to stand and be initiated, there is an end of
law, and government, and order.
Vermont nullifes the law, remains in the Union, !"
reaps some twenty thirty per cent. through VI
riff enacted and sustained by her sister States. &c
nder such circumstances, she will of course remain