Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1852-01-15

J
dcted to that great principle of SELF government.
Upon this foundation your fathers raised home
10 freedom more glorious than the world has ev-
er seen. Upon this foundation you have devel-
oped it to living wonder of the world. lfappy
your great country, sir, that it was selected by
the blessing Of the Lord to prove the glorious
practcability Of federative Union Of many
sovereign States, all conserving their State
rights and their self government, and yet united
in one. Every star beamlng with its own lustre
but all together one constellation on manklnds
canopy.
Upon this foundation your free country has
grown to prodigious power in surprisingly
brief period. You have attracted power in that.
Your fundamental principles have conquered
more in seventy five years than Rome by arms
in centuries. Your principles will conquer the
world. BY the glorious example of your free.
dom, welfare and security, mankind is about to
become conscious of its aim. The lesson you
give to humanity, will not be lost, and the re-
spect of the State rights in the Federal Govern
ment of America and in its several States, will
become an instructive example for universal toll
Grafton, forbearance and justice, to the future
States and Republics of Europe. Upon this
basis will be got rid of The mysterious questions
of language, and nationolIties raised by the Gun.
ming despotislns in Europe to murder Liberty,
and the smaller States will find security in the
principles of federatve union. while they will
conserve their national freedom by the prncl-
pies of sovereign seIf.government and while
larger States Indicating the principles Of CEN
trallzation, will cease to be bloodfeId to san
culinary usurpaton and tool 10 the ambition of
wicked men, municipal institutions will insure
the development Of local particular elements.
| Freedom, formerly an abstract political theory
will become the household benefit 10 municipal
tiles, and out of the welfare and contention of
all parts will flow happiness, peace and security
for the whole That is my confident hope
There will at once subside the fluctuations of
Germany's fate. 1t will become the heart of
Europe, not by melting North Germany into a
Southern frame, or the South into Northern
not by absorbing historical pecuarities, by cen
tralized omnpotence; not by mixing in one
State, but by fedcrating several sovereign States
into Union like yours, upon similar basis,
will take place the national regeneration of the
Slavonic States, and not upon the sacrllegious
idea of Panslavism, equivalent to the onnipo.
tence of the Gar. Upon a similar basis will
we see fair Italy independent and free. Not
Unity, but Union, will and must become the
watchword of national bodies, severed into des-
ecrated limbs by provincial rivalTies out of
which a flock of despots and common servltude
arose. To be sure, it viii be noble joy to this
your great Republic to feel that the moral IN
fnence of your great example has operated in
producing this happy deveIopementin mankind's
destiny; and have not the slightest doubt of
the efficacy Of your examples influence. But
there is one thing indispensable to it, without
which there is no hope for this happy issue
This indispensable thing is, that the oppressed
nations of Europe, become the masters Of their
future, free to regulate their own domestic con-
Germs, and to secure this nothing is wanted but
TO have that tair play to all, and for all, which
you, sir, in your oast,were pleased to pronounce
as a right of my nation, alike sanctioned by the
law OF nations as by The Dictates Of eternal JUS
tee. Without this fair play there is no hope
for Europe-no hope of seeing your principles
spread Yours is happy country, gentlemen
You had more than fait play. You had active
operative aid from Europe in your struggle for
Independence, which once achieved, you SO
wisely used as to become prodigy of freedom
and welfare, and Book of Life to Nations
But we in Europe unhappily have no such
fair play with us, against every palpltation Of
Liberty. All despots are united IN a common
league, and You may be sure despots will never
We'd to the moral influence of your great exam.
pie. They hate the very existence OF this ex
ample. 1t is the sorrow of their thoughts ant
the incubus Of their dreams. To stop its mora
influence abroad and to cheek its spreading de
veopement at home, is what they wish instead
Of yielding to its influence. We will have nj
L. Il, I r,,1a H.,
Napoeon's usurpaion, to the very borders o
the Atlantic Ocean. One of your great states
men-now to my sorrow bound to the sick bee
of advanced age-alas that | am deprived of thu
advice which his wisdom could have impaired t.
me-your great statesman told this world thirt,
years ago that Paris was transferred to st. Pc
tcrsburg. What would he now say, when St
Petersburg is transferred to Paris, and Europe il
but an appendix to Russia? Alas Europe cal
no longer secure to Europe fair play. Albiol
only remains, but even Albion casts a sowowfu
glance over the waves. Still we will stand on
place, sink or swim, live or die. You know the
word. 1t Is your own. We will follow 1t.
will be bloody path to tread. Despots havt
colIspired against the world. Terror spread
over Europe, and anticipating persecution rule
from Paris to Pestn. There is a gloomy senc,
like the silence of nature before Toe terrors of
hurricane. Ii is sensible silenc5 only dis turb
ed by the thousand-fold rafting of the musket
by which Napoleon murders the people whcl
gave him a home when he was an exile, and b.
the groans of new martyrs in Sicily, Milan, vi
emma and Pesth. The very sympathy which
met in England and was expected to meet here
tmows my sisters into the dungeons of Austria
Well Gods will be done. The heart may break
but duty will be done. We will stand in on
place, though TO us in Europe there be no fai
play. But so much hope, that no just man o
earth can charge me with unbecomng Arrogance
when here, on this soil OF freedom, kneel dow
and raise my prayer to Cod" Almighty Faith
er of Humanity, will thy merciful arm not rails,
a power on earth to protect the law of nations
when there are so many to violate it," 1t is
prayer and nothing else. What would renal
to tie oppressed il they were not permitted t
pray. The rest is in the hand Of God.
Gentlemen, know where stand. No non
or, no encouraging generosity, will make me ev
er forget where stand and what is due trol
me to you. Here my duty is silently to ava
what you or your wisdom will be pleased to pre-
nounce about that which public opinion know
to be my prayer and my aim, and be it your wi
10 pronounce, or be it yonr will not to take nc
tice of it, will understand your will, and bo
before it with devotion, hopeless, perhaps, bu
my heart full Of admiration love, and gratitude
to your generous people, to your glorious liant
But one single word, even here, may be pei
mitted 10 say, only such Il word as may secur
me from being misunderstood. came to tn
undetermined people of the United States I
claim its generous operative sympathy for tl
impending struggle Of oppressed freedom on tn
European continent, and freely interpret ID til
hopes and wishes which these oppressed nutlol
entertain but as to your great Republic, as
State, as power OH earth, stand before til
Statesmen, Senators, and Legislators of tn
Republic, only to ascertain from their wsdor
and experience what is their judgment upon
ques ion of national law ana international rlgh
hoped, and now hope, that they will by ii
torebodng events on the Other great cnntinen
feel induced to pronounce in time their vol
about th.t law and those rights and hoped an
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