Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1856-11-21
SPEECH OF r. v. MARSH.

The bill for the relief Of citizens of Yer
mont without this State, and of the suffering
poor n Kansas, being under consideration,
Mr.. MARSH arose and said
M. Speaker - do not rise for the pur.
pose Of entering into laborcd discussion of
the great question embraced in the Bil be.
fore the House. but merely TO present few
Of the prominent reasons which governed
the Committee, aud which we think should
influence the members of this House, in its
consideration.
1t has been truly remarked, that this is
one Of the greatest questions of the Session,
and 1t may with equal truth be said, that II
Is one of the greatest questions involving in
It's results more serious consequences, than
any other which has been presented to the
consideration Of the Legislature of tits or
of any other Free State, since their Union
under one general Government
Sir, the Report Of your Committee has
been printed aud placed bclor the members
Of this House. For whole week they
have hud an opportunity to examine, and re-
fleet upon It's recommendations. If they
are satisfied that It's positions are sound and
tenable; # those positions are suslaile by
the argument and facts presented then are
they satisfied that we have the legal and
constitutional power to grant the aid recon-
mended. Then are they satisfied that we
should, without further delay, grant this re-
lief; and, sir, they must also be ready now
and at once, TO vote on the passage Of this
bill.
Mr.. Speaker, the inquiry has been made
to the Chairman Of your Committee, whether,
after all, there Is any real want or suffering
among the people Of Kansas
The further enquiry has been made -
Is there any evidence that citizens of Yer
mont, now in or near Kansas, are IN a suffer
ing unprotected condition, and need the
aid of our government And has anysp-
pliction been made to our State IN behalf Of
those sufferers
Sir, before left home--before had the
honor Of meeting you and taking a seat on
this floor, as a member of this House, be-
came fully satisfied that an affirmative ans
wer, without hesitation, should be given to
each and all of these enquiries. had con
versed with men who had traversed the
plains, along the streams, and had crossed the
vallies Of Kansas with men who had been
through the different districts and counties
of that Territory VINO had seen with their
owe eyes and heard with their own ears the
protected, and iorsakcu people linen who
had heard the wailings Of distress and grief
among helpless women aud children, and
had seen the ileless corses Of their nus
bands and fathers, reeking with the blood OF
the ruiian's knife. or Ouzing from the bullet
holes made by his deadly rifle. And, sir,
men have been before the Committee who
have witnessed the smoking embers Of
dive llings destroyed who have seen this
suffering and want IN its various aspects
not only among the citizens Of Vermont but
Of other States These men are reliable
and Of unnpeachrble character.
Among the men who have been before
the Communicative have made statements
to them, to the Chairman, and to other mem
beers Of the Committee, | would name Mr.
Newton, DR.. Gutter aud Rev. w. llg-
ginson, gentlemen who are all well and IA
vorably known. The last named, is a clergy
man Of Worcester, Massachusetts. lie Is
highly esteemed as am Informed, both IN
Massachusetts, and in this State, wherever
he Is known, for his integrity, his talents,
and his eloqucnce Members have recently
had the opportunity Of hearing him IN this
Hall, and can. m some measure, Judge for
themselves. From the statements Of these
men, as we'll as from others, II was shown
conclusWely, not only that this suffering and
pryatIon exists but that Il exists among CT
,zeus of Vermont, rs well as those OF other
States, to an alarming extent. Mr.. William
Hutchinson, q cuIzen Of Randolph, Vermont,
who Is now in Kansas, dlscharging the du-
ties OF the Kansas AID Society, ~ a faithful
aud acceptable manner, confirms these state
mcnts. The amount Of suffering and want
was so greet and pressing, that he found II
impossible, with the limited funds at his dis
posal, Ia relieve tthe of IT, and he there
fore pledged hls own credit TO raise funds
l9G !h9l Rgose; tar ;b,ssaad h. ,qrssaai
son aud DIR. Gutter that he hoped Vermont
would yet do something to relieve these sui-
fears
But, Mr.. Speaker, there is other evidence
m relation to this suffering, this want Of
food, of clothing and sh tier IN Kansas. This
Evidence, # we consider Tho source from
whence il comes will not, I think, be gain
sayed or coniadicted. # Is from a very I'M
expected source, but none The less important.
Gov. Geary, M dispatch recently transmit.
ted to the General Government. states, among
other things, that
"1he country IS ouerruH lcth hundreds toho
are unable 10 obtain employment, icho lire up
on charity. and tcho are exposed 10 pripGtions
and iodHt."
Sir, why need we multiply evidence on
ms point DO not the members Of this
House know, do not the people everywhere
know, Of the existence of this want and suf
iering Has not the evidence during the
past year been accumulaung in every posi-.
Bile shape, and IN any quantity? Who, ex-
cept the most incorngable bunker, can doubt.
Who, among the millions IN the Free States
called upon to relieve this suffering, doubt
It's exlstence2
But, say gentlemen, where or when has
there been any application to us for relief or
protection. | say, unhesitatingly, that these
applications have been made constantly and
for a long time, both TO the State and to in
dIvlduals. Aid, protection, help, has been
the order of the day, and Of the night too,
by those suffering people who are struggling
for the night to express their opinions who
are throttled the moment they claim the lib
erty Of speech or the right of free discussion.
Mr.. Speaker, happen to have in my pos
session one Of these applications to our State
for relief and protection. II may serve to
show what kind Of aid is sked, and the rea-
sons for asking 1t. desire the Clerk to reod
the paper | hold IN my hand, which was
transmitted to Gov. Royce in September.
The Clera read as follows:
"Otlice National Kansas Aid Committee.
Chicago, Sept. 10, 1856
'llon. Stephen Royce, Governor of Yer
beg leave through the
bearer, Rev. B. B. Newton, General Agent
of the Vermont Kansas Aid Committee, to
call your attention to the present condition
OF affairs IN that unhappy Territory.
"We will not trouble you with any state
inent Of facts with which you are already IA |
mlliar through the ordinary channels of news.
The question now pressing upon Us is, what
cad be done TO relieve our fellow citizens
now suffering the extremity of oppression
for no crime but that Of loving the princi. |
pies Of our fathers Of the Revoluton' Can
a struggle 50 great as that now in progress
against the hordes of invaders pouring into /
Kansas from Missouri aud the whole South /
be much longer maintained in the present
way Of voluntary contributions from patriotic