Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1851-10-22
VERMONT.
We find. in our Northern exchanges, the following
telegnphic synopsis of the Message of Gov. Will

telegnphic synopsis of the Message of Gov. Viii.
liams, of Vermont:
MONTPELIER, VT Oct. 10. Gov. Williams trans
mitted his annual message to the legislature yester.
day. He makes appropriate illusions to the various
matters ofloca interest," and trusts the Legislature will
and higher power than the people, else the oath OF
office they have taken is mockery. He regrets that
conscience is secuted in these latter days, but does
not believe that the people of Vermont entertain a
notion that they are absolved from obedience to law
which does not happen to suit their views. The law
must be enforcedit 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 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
ly adopted the constitution. She has never asked
important amendments, and never been found with
others nacs tending to the violation of the same He
hopes that the cry of danger to the Union, like the
cry Of danger to the church in England is not to be
made Pretext for arbitrary measures or degrading
submission.
The governor declares in favor of protective tar
iff; but that, if disappointed Vermont will undoubt-
edy seek redress in 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 are violated.
The Governor discusses the fugtive-slave act Of
the habeas corpus act of Vermont at
siderable length. He doubts the constutionality of
the former, but has doubt of the constituonaity
of the latter, but is content TO leave both the ap
propriae judicial tribunals established by the const.
tuition.
The Governor, in conclusion, commends the Pres
ldent for executing the laws and thinks the differences
of opinion upon delicate constitutional questions
ground for withdrawal of confidence from public men,.
He says emphaticay the laws of the land must be
enforced.''
Gov. Williams was elected by the Whig party of
Vermont, and during his first term the Assembly of
that State passed the habeas corpus act' above
ferred to, nulying the .gitiuesaue laD, 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, as the candidate of
the Whig party proper-a Democrat of the old line,
in favor of the fugve-save law, and also in favor Of
non-intererence by Congress in the slavery question
and an Abolition candidate. Gov. Williams re-
ceived some 90, 900 votes, the Abolition candidate
some $4,000, and the ole line Democrat some 5000
Vermont is Whig State by about three to one; and
the nullifying law, above alluded to, was passed
mainly by the Whig party and approved by Whig
Governor. These are facts; and We have spoken
particularly of Wbgsm connected with this busi-
ness, because Whg papers in this State reoiced
the reelection Of Williams and pointed with notes Of
triumph, as of old, to Vermont the Wig star
that never sets.' If any Wing paper IN this State
has condemned and denounced this man Williams,
we do not know it {; and we are certain that the
Hillsborough Recorder and Goldsborough Telegraph,
at least announced his election in such manner as
to show their qualification at the result.
Gov. Williams takes ground for the "higher law
regrets that conscience" is not nursed in these
latter days it ought to be-doubts the constitution
ality of the ngvesave act but has no doubts about
the law of Vermont nullifying that act-and states,
generally, that Vermont if disappointed or aggreved.
will seek redress in the Union and not out of it.
Here is Union man for you, with vengeance
He also rebukes other States for meddling with the
legislation of Vermont, and reminds them that the
time 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-
fed law of Congress, tramped on the Federal Con-
sti,ution. and denied expressly, by law, the rights
of the slaveholding States
Gov. Williams also says that the laws must be
enforced but he had just pronounced the fugitive
slave law of doubtful consttuonality, and had re-
minded the Legislature of obligations to "high-
er law.'' What base hypocrisy! Much would
we give for his compliments to President Fill
more or FOR his expressions in favor of the execution
of the laws, when these things are coupled in the
same breath with appeals to 'conscience" and a
higher law,' and with rank disloyalty to the Con
stitu,on and Union of the States 1t is impossible
that any right-minded man should respect such a
Governor as this, who disgraces the seat he fills
and poutes, by his presence, the atmosphere of the
United States. Ii he were the Governor of foreign
State, the matter would assume different aspect;
but not so-he is the first officer of sister State, en-
titled to an equal voice in the Senate of the Union
with States whose rights she has denied, whose in
stitutons she has reved and slandered, and whose
common Constitution she has trampled in the dust
We did indulge the hope, until the promulgation Of
this Message, that Vermont would repeal her obnox'
ious law in relation to the fng,ive-slave act, and
would re,urn under better influences. to her duty to
her co-States and to the common Congress; but we
feel bound 10 confess that perceive at present
no prospect of such return TO duty.
Vermont, it is true, is a small State; but she Is
the equal in sovereignty of the other Sates and the
principle involved is as important in her case as II
would be with New York or Pennsylvania. If she
can set at naught the laws of Congress passed in
pursuance of the Constitution, and remain in the
Union, enjoying its advantages and benefits, othe'
States may do the same in other words, If her ex
ample is to stand and be initiated, there is an end o
all law, and government, and order.
Vermont nullifies the law, remains in the Union
and reaps some twenty or thirty per cent. through