The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1855-03-21
Speeches of Hon. Solomon Foot,
and Hon. Lewis Cass.
On tile Extension Of the Bounty Land
Lars; IN the Senate, Jan. lS. 1855.

Mr.. President, [ have been prompted
to say thus much by way Of explanation
and of vindication, chiefly on account of
a remark that was thrown out by the
Senator from Pennsylvania The other
day while he was addressing the Senate
in opposition to my proposition; the pur-
port of which was that he had heard of
certain militia companies in New Eng.
land who had refused to march beyond
tho limits of their State, aud which, in
the connection in which it was uttered,
might be construed as having reference
to the militia of my State AS a repre-
sentative from that State could do no
less than attempt to vindicatc the char.
ncter of her militia, whose bravery and
whose gallant bearing lad won the ap-
! plause and the admiration of the country,
from an implied asperSion, however re-
mote the implication might be. With
these remarks | submit the question up
on my amendment to the judgment Of
the Senate.
Mr.. CAss have listened with great
| pleasure and interest to the remarks of
the honorable Senator in vindication of
the military character of the militia of
his State. and | thank him for them. /
had myself upon my table, tho very
proclamation and answer which the hon.
orahle Scuator has read They were
fresh in my memory, and ] had them
here to read but it is unnecessary to do
it; nor is it necessary that should com
mcnt much upon them.
The difficulty was that strange pas
sions were in operation; strange doc
trines were taught strange proceedings
took place in those days, derogatory to
American patriotism, injurious TO the
cause of our country. and encouraging to
the enemy in the efforts that he was
making in the idle and vain hope of sub.
DUNG us Like the honorable Senator
from Vermont. I view this subject his
torically. Every feeling connected with
it has gone by and in the few words that
| mean to say to-day l have reference
to this transaction solely as to history.
It is good to look back. There are i'm
prcssivc chapters in our history that it
would be good 10 read; and there is none
more impressive than this very chapter
containing the narrative of the internal
difficulties that divided us. 1t is good
to look to the past, Mr. President 1t
will give us wise suggestions for the
present aud solemn warning for the fu.
ture
Why, Mr. President that very proc
lamation of the Governor Of Vermont
shows the state of mind in which it was
issued. | do not intend to impcach his
motives. am as well aware as the
honorable Senator can he that he was
under the Influence tho monomania, if |
may so call it, Of the overwhelming par
ty feeling Of that day We all know
that many a man in the country rejoiced
at tie first great victory that attended
the England in the capture of Detroit
and many man in the country regret
ted the capture Of the Guerrere in that
first and noble action under Hull when
it was taken by the Constitution. 1t is
difficult to realize these facts, but they
are so.
The Governor Of Vermont said to the
militia when he endeavored to call them
home. You are wanted to defend your
WV A''hNNs uub illc tAdNt VI .NNN
York " All know, as well as yon and |
know-hc would have known in his sane
moments-that it was the duty Of the
General Government to defend the whole
Union, and it only can Judge what force
is wanted. And what makes it worse,
Mr. President, it is evident from the
proclamation that he did not need The
militia. lie only called thom to be ready
to repel invasion. The invasion had not
taken place, and the honorable Senator
knows that every Green Mountain boy
in the State would have risen if the
British had put their foot on tho from
tier He knows it as well as | do 1t
was not necessary to recall that brigade.
The Governor could have his other nil
itia, and held them in service ready to
meet the incursion Of the enemy. He
did recall that brigade, Mr.. President
but it is one thing to call spirits from
the Vastly deep, and it is another thing
for them to coma. Those men were an
mated by the spirit of Ethan Allen aud
Of the other noble men of Vermont who
fought the battles Of Bennington and
Saratoga, and whose blood was poured
out on many another battle field They
were animated by that spirit. and they
would not come. They chose as you
have seen in the noble paper which has
been read, to 60 and meet the enemy,
not to seek shelter at their own firesdcs.
| honor them, and would vote for al
most anything for them Those are
my feelings.
The other day, when this subject was
up for discussion, the honorable Senator
from Georgia, (Mr ToonBs.) who | am
sorry to sec is not in his seat, replied to
remark OF mine that supposed those
strange doctrines which were anoat and
periinaciously adhered to at that day had
been abandoned had heard Of the
doctrine for thirty years, and | had
heard no defender of it, l thought they
had gone by whh the actions and the
passions which reigned at that day But
no the Senator from Georgia, for whom
| have great respect, said he believed
that the Governors of the States had this
right of determination. lie said at ouce
frankly that he believed the Governor Of
Massachusetts, had mistaken the state Of
things that, although he had the right
to determine the propriety Of calling out
the militia, he had failed in the applica.
tion of it for circumstances did require
the militia 10 be called out Now, Mr.
President, | would not say word at
this time If | were going 20 argue the