Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1851-10-17

that has no higher sanction than the approba-
potent, but is by no manner of means omnipo-
tent or omniscicnt. It's Legislation is amenablc
to the same orer-ru'jng Authority that deter
mines the validity Of the legislation Of the
humblest State in the Union and whether
the Vermont lIabeas Corpus law or the Wash
ington Fugitive Slave law, is constitutional or
not, depends entirely upon the constitutional
settlement of that question: 1t is quite COM
petcnt for Vermont to pass n law that shall
seem to be, and that shall really be, in con
travcnton of law of Congress. The Consttu-
ton, with wise forecast, provides for such a
state of thlngs,-nor does that sacred instru-
mcnt appear to regard Congressional enact
mcnt as of any higher force and authority than
n Safe enactment. The Supreme Court de-
cdcs which is the "hghcr law, and to the de-
csion of that Court, we trust, both parties are
prepared to submit.
The Message ofGovcrnor WILLIAMS, need
hardly say, is exactly in harmony with our view
Of the PUBLIC SENTIMENT of Vermont Gov
WILLIAMS was reelected by the PEOPLE of
Vermont Notwithstanding the strongest efforts
were made to prevent such a result. The PEG.
pie had the highest confidence i'll his ability and
| integrity. They regarded him as "sate man."
who, fearless Of any imputaton of his moiircS,
his decisions anu his opinions subject to the
revision of a Tribunal to whose action no man
is more ready to submit. | like Governor
! WILLIAMS Message, every way and so,
presume to think, will the vast majority of the
readers of the Free Press. 1t is manly, expli-
cit fearless, straight forward and clear On
no point of interest or Importance is it confus-
ed or ambiguous. 1t is the digniied and pro-
per Justification under unjust aspersons, of
State that has always maintained NATIoNAL
| WIG PmNCIPLEs amid universal detection amt
dcfcat. 1t is the Message of true-hcartcd
clenr-hcaded VERMONT GOVERNOR ;-digni-
fed without assumption: firm, without claim
ing exemption from error; earnest, without Of
fensvcncss. and true Mt all times and under
all circumstances, to the honor and the sover-
eighty of his State. There is not a factious
word or sentiment in it, while it maintains,
throughout, the true theory of State lndepen-
dencc and State responsibility under our ad-
mirable form Of government. Therefore like
il. 1t refers to no "higher law" nor does it
proclaim Slbservlcncy to "lower. 1t stands
by, and lnvokcs the decision OF the CoNsTIrU-
1IoSAL AUTHORITY otthe Mon, all question S
of conflicting law or jurisdiction true to the
contederacy and in no respect false to Freedom
and humanity, true to VERMONT. and in no
respect false to the Constitution and the L MON
Icarnot more satisfactorily close this hurried
commentary on the admirable Message of Gov
WILLIAMS, nor better illustrate the true feeling
under which it was written, than by quoting its
concluding paragraphs, wherein he administer.
an appropriate rebuke to those whose patriot,
ism begins abroad and ends at home, and who
have shown themselves excessively patriotic il
every way erccpt IN respect for The honor anc
reputation Of their own STATE. Governor VIII.
LIAMs says -
" have been called into the ser
, vice OF the state at period of much excite
| ment, and when her character and conduct has
been most unjustly assalled. | hope that | have
never been lnseuslble to her honor or interest
or wanting in confidence in her integrity anc
wisdom. My thanks are especially due to til,
people and legislature, who have reposed suCl
confidence in the hitherto, and ! assure them
and all my fellow citizens, as well those wh
have expressed preference for me, as those
who have not, that shall part with my otiicia
relations to the state and the people with tn
most respectful and kind feelings to all, am
shall nersr be tound among the caiuntnia.orS o
her institutions, her larS, her legislators, or he
PeopIe, Of wlatcrer party or Sect
most heartily commend this sentiment t
those who appear to be swift and willing TO e.
= ,absh the fidelity of Vermont to the Consltu
ton and the Union, by proving her to be falls
to the first principles of true republicanism an
humanity
But dismiss this topic. The People of Vel
mont will cordially endorse the principles an
sediments of the Message of Governor VIII
LIAMs, because they are in accordance with tn
manly and humane antl-savery spirit of tn
age, and because they are avowedIy held an
avowed in spirit Of allegiance to the Constitu
- ton of the Union. As SUCH they deserve tn
= entire and unqual fled appreciation OF the State
e il they do not receive that appreciation, 1t Wi
- be owing to the iallaCious teachings of tho>
who seem to look upon the safety and integrit
. of the Union as inseparable from entire suisse
, viency to the demands of its Slaveholdn
members.
] think there has not been an ADLER Legisla
ture assembled, for years past, than that whic
is now in session. Both the Wings and the
=. political opponents are well represented, and
men who can defend and advocate their di
tnclve views. In the Senate, the Wings ha,
:, Senators ROYCE, WHITTEMoRE, CURRIER, Bic
ELow, and others, gentlemen sagacious i
council and able in debEte. The Opposite
number among them such men as Senate
BAILEY, MATrocKs. MARVIN, EASTMAN, vi
=. will take care that the State receives no de