Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-10-16

in his person or property, to bring the act
to the consideration Of the judicial tribunals
who will pronounce it valid or void, as it
conforms to or conflicts with the fundamen-
al law In order TO ensure confidence in
judicial decision on this delicate and diff
hcult subject, the citizen should feel that
he can present his views, that he will be
heard with patience, and not be embarras-
sed by any previous expression of opinion,
not required, uncaled for, aud extra judi
ciaI, and not a decision of the question
submitted No individual, or state, should
be discouraged from resorling to this mode
of trying the validity of any legislative
act
! need not speak to you of our attach
ment to the Union, OF our reverence for the
constitution, or our unwaverng obedience
TO all its requirements. A recurrence to
our history will show, that we voluntarily
and uAhesltatlngl y sought admission into
the Union, and ratified and confirmed its
constitution, and have never, even when in
Vlted by those in whom we placed c. n6dence,
asked tor any important alteration 10 It's
provisions, aud have manifested no wish to
disturb the ratio of representation nor have
we joined with others in any acts or meas.
ures which might be considered as tending
to violation of, or resistance to, its author
lty. We make no loud and voclferous pro-
fesslons of attachment to the constitution,
as such professions Sometimes Indicate thai
there may have been reason to doubt that
attachment, and an uhcalled for profession
of faith and reverence for the Union and
constitution, might imply that we had here
totore been wanting III that reverence.
Allegiance.to the government Of the U.
>. depends not upon our will we cannot,
while we enJUy its protection, absoVe our
selves, nor can any state, or any combna-
tlou OF states, absoIve us from that ale
glance, And should any state, or any
number of inhabitants within any other
geographical limits, attempt it, the laws
Ut the U. S. and It's constitution would still
be in force within their territory, aud
would only he rendered Intellectual, by the
want OF ability and power, III the author
tiles OF the Union, to enforce obedience.
| have no reason to doubt but that the
necessary power would be found, and the
aid afforded, to compel a submission to
law aud authority. For this reason |
have regarded, perhaps too lightly, all
threats Of dissolution of the Union as
futile, and have noticed with surprise, in
the resolutions Of public bodies, and in ex-
ecutlve messages, declaration, or even
an lntlmatlon, that adherence TO any acts
or measures Of congress, is to be the con.
dtlon of their fidelity TO the Union, as
though this allegiance depended upon their
will and pleasure alone
| hope that the cry of danger to the I'm
ION, like the cry Of danger to the Church
in the county Of our ancestors, in other
times, is not to be made pretext for arbi-
trary and oppressive measures, or humlia-
ting degrading, submission.
In an extended territory. like that of the
U. 5 the sections will have different in.
terests, and Legislators will be influenced
by their local situations. Hence they will
be liable to the imputatiOn of being gov
erned by sectional and not national views.
This complaint was made against those
laws " h CHI Were enacted in favor Of pro-
tecllve tariff, and which ~ one time, came
very near Involving th4conntry ma CIV.
IL war. 1t should be renlembered, how
ever THAT what advances the interest OF one
section, in measure advances the interest
OF all. The protection, which has hereto
lore been extended to the manufacturing ill.,
tereSt, has also benefited that of ugrIcul-
ture aud commerce. Au abandoumentot
tins interest Was truly sectional, and not
national measure. We ought not 10 look
win jealousy or envy,on the wealth which
may have beenaccumulut'd III consequence
ot TINS protection, when it has been So lib
orally expended in works of usefulness, aud
Oenevolence, extending to every part OF this
republic. We hope that we Shall again wit
ness resort 10 protective tariff aud that
the doctrine OF free trade will be given up
as sectional and narrow feeling, not adap-
ted 10 the wants OF the whole Union. Sen
slbIe, however, that in our government ma
Ilorty must determine what measures shall be
adopted, even il our wishes should be dsre-
garded, aud a policy still more fatal 10 our in
lerests should be pursued, we shall endravor 10
seek redress in the Union aud not oul OF ii,
There is another subject, connected with
the action OF this State, which | ought
not pass over in silence, inaSmuch as our
State has been most unJustly illuminated
by those who have olficiouSIY intermed
died with our concerns. Some Of the
states in the confederate republic, oul
equals, and not our Supporters, have under
taken TO SIT IN Judgement, aud reprove and
reprmand our legislature acts, as though
we were accountable to them. Those d
our ctIzeus, who have either approved Oh
condemned the acts or proceedings of the
legislature, have not exercised the righ
of expressing their own opinion, aud en-
deaVormg to influence the opinion of other
which will undoubtedly possess and al
far as 1t evlnces an anxiety 10 keep ruler
and Legislators within The pale OF cOnstitu
tlonal authority, or 10 protect the natura
rights Or liberties Ut man, or to procure the
repeal or modification Of any law, whether
Of the State or general government, 1t eau
not be "a subject Of censure, but merits ap
probation. Those belonging to other states
and other governments, who have reflect
ed injurlously Oh the legislation of The
State, are not entitled TO this charitaht
construction of their motives or acls. w
are no: bound to cousnt their wshss, @
conform to their views, when we legiskt
Tor ourselves. 1t is no time for them t
complain until we violate their rights.
These remarks are elected from a cons
Grafton of the law of the congress OF the Uni
ed States, on the subject Of fugilves fro
labor, and the act of the legislature of tn
State, relating to the writ of habeuS corpu
and of the views token of them by other
OF The former have no disposition to emit
hall