Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-10-09

sona acquaintance with one hundred eff the as ,
semblage now present, men who have never sac
feed for their country, in their whole lives, one
hour of ease-who never encountered, and never
expect TO encounter, the slightest degree Of dan
ger for lis honor aid its rights-to dictate when
and under what circumstances it is proper for me
10 breathe my native air. and tread my native
soil! have answ cred This question 10 day by
nv presence here, and you have answered 1t by
meeting me here. i
AT time when our re atoms with all foreign
powers are Essentially pacific, and when our do
nestle and internal advancement and prosperity
is regarded by all nations as almost fabulous, IT
is lamentable to see. and 10 be compelled 10 ad-
nit that there isa sectional spirit in HE land,
counselipg hatred and all uncharitabieness, and
which threatens, at this moment, to rock the
Union to the centre. If have given counter
ance 10 such spirit 10 any extent, or an any de-
gree, at any lime have unqufstlonably made
broad departure from the lessons OF that veneer
ated parent to whose revolutionary service and
subsequent career you have been pleased 10 ad- i
vert But to such change have no occasion
to answer. and shall never have. 1t is contra
dicied by the entire record Of my public life
With reference TO any charge in my sentl-
ments or opiniuns ought, prehaps, 10 make
single qua liicaion. II has been said that the
universal tendency of age is to Conservatism.
believe 1t to be So 1t is certainly true that
regard with les and less complacency al ex.
tremts of opinion and all rashness in action
deprecale more and mole whatever is calculated
to excite contention between our own govern.
ment and foreign powers, or TO provoke allena-
ton between The people Of deterrent States or
different sections of this confederation. And
desire with daily increase earEes.ncss 10 see |
passion and prejudice and all parzln emotions
give place to calm judgement-to partisan. and TO
a traernal regard, among the citizens OF the
Rcpub c, which shall acknowledge no limits
less comprehensive Than the Union. So this
kind of conversation invite you. am no al
armist. am moi here TO proclaim danger. My
hope and faith in this Constitution and in the
Ipremanence of the institutions which upholds
are strong but with a knowledge Of the weak
ness of poor human nature, and with The light
OF history cast upon our path, certainly NEED
not warn you that the loss o. Of the great bless
ms which you eujUy i, not Impossible. CON
lure you citizens of New Ham, shier, " lille you
dwell with grateful emotions upon your great
prosperity, to remember the obligations which
rest upon you so far as the future of your country
is concerned Never allow your minds TO be d
verted from the fact tina this great experiment
in modern times Of man S capacity for self gov
eminent, and that, if that experiment cannot
succeed under the Constitution and this union Of
the American States, Its succ IS on this cOnil-
ment under any new arrangement Is hope css
Such is my conviction.
Let no man deude you with the idea that our
Union has any nrtI sic strength independent Of
the devotion of the peope to constitutional right.
1t is Just as strong as that devotion, and With
observance or with the disregard of constitution
al right il will stand or fail. Let it be The re-
grtt--I ought to say remorse-ot 10 portion OF
this vast audience that the inheritance purchas
ed by the toll and treasure and blood Of the Rev
olution the inheritance which has descended IL
Us fie;ghled with blessings, literally laden witt
the means of enjoyment-has through our mad
ness been lost to posterlty. Let it be the re
proach of no one here that he was ever vii Ing
for moment to sacrifice upon the alter of h
prejudice and his passions tina, which the fathers
gave in charge TO his judgement and his patriot
sm-and hch he was bound by every high ant
holy consideration TO uphold by his wisdom, ant
if need be, defend by his valor.
Ny felIow-ci,izens, cannot forbear to iepca
, how much il cheers me 10 be with you again-t
stand here on the soil of my native Safe. il
sight of its green hills and clear streams, am
among you its patriotic and hardy suns and Il
feel that am welcomed not merely as Preslden
of the United States, but as your companion AT
l your friend. as your associate in our common
dedication 10 the welI-being of cur noble it'll
Estate to the integrity. the prosperity and III
, ! lnnor of this great and glorious Union. Aye
his Union. not of SIX States, nor of sixteen, bn
# the whole thlrty-one which, though differing
us one star differs from another, yet each hold
lis proper place in the system, aud stead Y chine
with ulster undimmed, like their symbol orbs i
the armament Of Heaven Not TO you are tn
+ backgrounds either of Bennington oro King
, Mountain, of Saratoga or of Yorktown, foreig
fields OF fame. Not 10 you is the yalor of New
Orleans less precious than that Of Chrystler'
Fields or Bems Heights Nut tn you are TIN
| men of Massachusetts or Of Ohio coun,rymeI
: and brothers any more than those Of Virginia 0
Tennessee
, You, at least, will in the future as you have
in the past, breast the storm of faction, blow
when and whence it may. YOU at least vii
corufnIly reject every false dnl of secliona pre-
judlce, to which misguided ;iien may call upoI
you 10 bow down and worship, and will adhere
to the sublime creed, One Union, One Consii
tuition, One God" With you, in your hearts
the blessed spirit of love has rot been chased
away by the demon of hate. You have no
drunk of those bitter waters Of Mirebah Mei
such as you can never cease TO cherish the Union
and Constitution, and to cultivate that nalionali
iy Of sentiment, that fratcrnal regard for fellow
countrymen of other States. without which TIT
Union canGot subsst, nor the Cons;i luton en-
dure Such sentiments only can preserve u
, from those calamities of civil war, and of poll
lcaI anarchy and Tyranny. which destroyed TIN
ancient Republics and which now prevail in thos
of South America God in his mercy grant tina
no such calamity may ever befA our believe
country.
In conclusion renew tie expression of m
, thanks to you all, and add, that should Il kin
Providence spare my life through few NOR
, months of laborious employment in the publ
service, shall find mpself at home again, on
Of your number, to rejoice in your prosperity
/ and to give you my quick sympatly in any hoo
OF trial or sorrow which may await you. What
ever other change you may see In Inc, think
may safely say that yon will discover no dim
mutton OF mtereSt.in your fortunes. collcctiyel
, or individually, and no abatement OF 2palou
devotion to the honor Of our State Althoug
yoa are not sons of New hampshire in any na
9 row or sectional sense, YOU are in heart to tt
last throb, and in isat least claim to be yo,
4 brother
r Governor Floyd anl the New
F. York Merchants.
y We have reports from reliable corrcspo;
$ dents, that the audience which assembled ;