Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1851-03-07
itcmarks of Hon. John Davis, in The T. y.
senate, Icb. 2lst, on the Presidents Mes
sage and Proclamation,

cusSion while there were points evidently Of
personal controversy going on between gentle
men but should hardly discharge my duty to
The constituency which represent if | should
not express some views which entertain upon
this subject. ] am not disposed to question the
motives upon which this inquiry was set on
foot. 1t will remain to be seen, and history
VIII tell us, whether this is one of the fit and
appropriate occasions for the exercise of a
power that believe has been very sparingly
exercised during the existence of this govern.
mont The issuing of proclamation by the
Executive Department OF the Government.
which, in and Of itself, necessarily implies that
there is existing in public feeling sentiment
which Is dangerous, or which requires in some
way to be controlled by the power and authors
ly OF the Government, is The first step taken to
stronger measures. 1t is initiatory to those
measures which the message indicates. Ii
indicates that it is to be followed, if in the
Judgment Of the Government such further
step is deemed necessary, by the military pow
er of the Government to subdue an insurrec-
tionary spirit, if may so express myself in
that portion of the community.
Now. it may be true that this is fitting and
proper occasion for the exercise of that power
II may be ;rne that this is fitting and suitable
occasion Tor the dennncjaiory language Which
has been employed in debate-denouncin the
Legislature Of sachusetts the whole peo.
pie of Massachusetts, the citizens of ls,on
and the policy nf that city, as wanting in duty,
and as criminalIy negligent in their federal OBJ
legations. But, before we reach that conclu-
SIGN, 1t really seems to be but lust that we should
| understand the facts which exist, and that we
| should enquire whether or not there is existing,
| or has existed, any general or widespread op-
| position To The laws or measures of the Cow
ernmen' which au'horses such a step.
The message itself begins by stating that
the Executive Department of the Government
IS not IN possession If any official information
which enables il 10 speak with decision upon
this subject 1t has certain newspaper com
municalinus it j. in possession of certain tel
egraphlc communications and upon these it
has hnid1d the communication which has
been made to the Senate.
! have read with some attention the various
accounts OF this matter which have been publish
ed in the newspapers. and desire to recall the
attention Of the Senate to this case, gathering
the facts from these sources. ! cannot be ans
werabIe, OF course, for their entire correctness
but have no better means, and perhaps not
half ST. good. as the Government to acquire IN
formation. ask, then, what Is the cause which
arrests public business aud pruvokeS denuncia-
h i.,s ,'aarol j., ,l, -,, ,o'u ''ac
;n.rico ard .,s r'sr,,aJ no,sa! rom ,t, ors
tody Of the marshal or his deputy, and that it IS
an act Of great cnurnty and outr4g'. We'll,
r thus much believe that the court honse WAS
employed As prison, and that mob Of coIOrea
people did break open the door OF that prison IN
OMEN daylight, and did rescue one Of their own
co or there N custody. Thus much is true
But the question j., does it follow that this is
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"'"'I ask Whe'her' II MY men are gamer
en- a'""hu '"e court mouse u '"'S or any U'0et
Il pace '"ey co',u "oJ 90 whence C""u II"
= t''l 'htt''"P' 'le S'r.''' u. '"S court Non'u
r. ,Hry not see an o'.''cF o. zoe court ana 'aNf
- nm away ID t"rY were SO u''P'-tu' ana "'".4
1t imply a.! : ec' OF ''@ people, or any ao'
teoce OF s"',aoc Pr'Pa'"t 'n' LOT Such d"
= ''he' sc"I!' " " 9n"''I ""Pp'" w are we u
= carry on our courts WIN m'''"FE 'orc'
surrounding me 'e"'P'e o, j'7'ce' Or are we ~
+""n III u'' ">"'' Pe'c'"o'e' ?u'e'' ana o'ue'
" wa! MAJ - '"e inquiry "e't are AUS .
= violence 700 If'4urouy occurring III an pare
D, OF tie c uh"Y' " wines ''e'n nefe III tn'
l., ,'"c'' over Whc" congress exercises u""h