Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-12-18
HON. J. GREGORY'S SPEECH,
IN TIE
SENATE OF VERMONT, NOV. As, 1850,
ON THE BILL MAKING AN
APPROPRIATION OF $4,000,
The Poor and Suffering in Kansas;
DURING WHICH DAY SAID BILL PASSED BOTH
BRANCHES OF THE LEGlsLATuRE, AND RECEIVED
THE APPROVAL OF TIE eewRssae,-,,..-----

BRANCHES OF THE LEGISLATURE, AND RECEIVED
THE APPROVAL OF THE eevRsNeRr
-~~~s-~~>~-~-~~.~->.~>~S~-~-~---
Mr.. PREsIDENT.-Of all the subjects that
have agitated this Legislature, the present one
is deemed by the friends Of Free Kansas the
most important. Indeed cannot we'll conceive
of ia more soul thrilling topic for discussion,
than, whether the good people Of Vermont, will
set an example, by making an appropriation
for the poor and suffering in Kansas 1t is
may have much 10 do with the perpetuity of
our Government, and the establishment Of free.
dom throughout our Republic. enter there
fore upon this discussion with fear and trem-
bling; fearful that may not be able to pre-
sent facts sufficient to induce this Senate to i'm
tate the noble conduct Of the popular branch
Of the present Legislature; deed that will en-
dure through generations to come an example
that will be initiated by other Free States,
trust. and great good be promoted thereby.
This SUBJECT should therefore be discussed
with great freedom by the Senators on this floor,
and receive our d liberate consideration. Should
it he impolitic to make this appropriation
should it be considered unwse to extend help
ing hand, in this hour Of need, in our Legisla-
tive capacity, there are gentlemen of learning
and ability present that can make it apparent.
An interchange Of views and feelings if given
in proper spirit, will result in good, | trust,
not only to ourselves, but to our commonwealth. .
and the defenders of freedom in Kansas. And
: here would say in the outset that should the
Bill fail Of i. passage in this Senate. will not
: lmpute to any Senator improper motives for
his opposition to it, believe all who compose
! this Senate are honorable men, and are desi-
rous OF wipng out OF this nation the great and
overshadowing curse Of A mercan Slavery; how
d ever we may differ in our modes Of opposition
: 10 it.
a Some Senators may not be as firmly indoc-
It trnated into the Anti Slavery sentiments Of
. t,,,e day, Gs others, snd may be insinsdateu by
p the censures aud frowns of the apologists for
e Slavery within our borders Snch men must
- not impute to us any unworthy motives in our
lie advocacy of this bill as we shall not to them
in their opposition to it. Some men have a
way of extending relief Immediately, to day
Others will wait till to.mnrrow to sae if their
assistance is needed. Such men mny not have
waded into the waters only to their 'ancles,
agreaby to the vision OF Ezekiel This Proph
ct informs US that, 'when the man that had
= the line in his hand went forth eastward, he
measured thousand cnbits, and he brougl,
- me through the waters the waters were to th
" dncles Again, he measured y thousand an,
- brought me through the waters the water
~ were to the knees. Again he measured thou
W sand, and brought me through; the water
;" were to the loias Afterwards he measured
" thousand and it WAS a river that could Mt
'e pass over for the waters were risen, waters
w swim in river that could not he passed over,
"' Those who have found the waters OF Antl-Sl,
: very deep enough to swim in find no difficult
u in making up their minds that it is their duty
"a sustain the House in this appropriation. The
y" see no difficulties IN the way, no raw heac
nd and bloody bones" to frighten them from the
"a obligations no hindrances to cause them I
ny neglect their duty. They have, in measure
l'' that spirit of DEVOTION that adherence to prir
es ciple which our fathers manilestcd-who fl
IN the sake of Right and Justice and Conscience
We feared not to stand up against Kings and NJ
10 bles and Parliament and People AS one {
- New England's eloquent sons has said, BETTE
Is did our fathers account it that their lonely bar
should sweep the wide sea in freedom; happi'
were they when their sails swelled to the storm
of winter, than to be slaves in palaces of eas
"' Sweoter to their ears was the music of the ga
that shrieked in their broken cordage, tha
v" the voice at home that said "suhmt. and yc
NY shall have rest And when they reached tn
VI wild shore, and built their alars, and knelt u
= on the frozen snow and the hinty rock to wo
wy ship, they built that altar to Freedom, and the
'"e noble prayer was, that their children might
VI free Oh, let US, their sons remember thep ray
II" OF their extremity, and the great aeqaest whi
'"'' their magnanimity has left u.s."
The Americans are IL sympathizing peop
Who does not remember the generous feeii
''' which filled the hearts of our freedom lovi
:" sons, on hearing of the unfortunate struggle
"'' the brave Greeks in defence Of their homes tn
wv W wives and children and country How high {
az our hopes rise, at each report which reach
was our shores of the success of that Spartan ba
II over their Noslem foes, and how sad were
W hearts ON receiving tidings of different ch
"e' acter Our sympathy aud aid were extend
not to the oprressor, but to the weak, the s
age lcring and the pressed.
h Look auo how every noble bosom was Fl
bile. with indignation at the mountain piled wro
who of ruined Poland, and with what a glow
transport did we read Of the three days Re
you luton in France-the doings of an ensla
,low people contending for freedom These "
events with which we had no other nte
you, than that Of common nature. The theatre
the their achievements and suferings was in anot
ad cline widely separated from us by the foo,
waters, and the actors and sufferers yet furt
reli- separated by a difference oflanguage, rely
lk aud customs, yet these circumstances did
operate to prevent our commiseraing the
the Of the unfortunate, ne all can testify
pear So likewise when Ireland called for help,
class good people of this ration, responded with q
rity, aud food and clothing was sent