The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1857-04-15
JAiAhlthurg Rrgisttr
MIDD j. Il b U r Y.
The Sumner Resolutions.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL Is, 1857.


The Sumner Resolutions.
The Administration papers throughout
this State, and elsewhere, are filled
with sewers criticisms and indignant re-
monstrance, because, as they say, the
Legislature Of Vermont havs gone out of
their proper limits, and complimentcd by
special resolution the speech Of Mr..
Charles Sumner, for which he expiated
so wrongfully at the hands Of the gallant
Mr., Brooks.
The Darlington Sentinel is particular
ly emphatic upon the subject, and ir
support Of the opinion that the speech
was far from suitable and proper in the
circumstances, cites portion OF an arti-
Gle from the North British Revie,o,
published in England. This article han
dies the speech with great severity, par.
ticulariy as to the matter of taste. But
with the Review we have nothing TO do,
simply on the ground that concerning
matters Of taste there is no dispute"
But with the facts of the Sentinel and
other Democratic journals. We have just
GROUNDED quarrel. 1t is said the Legisla
ture cfthis State have passed Resolutions
complimentary to the speech. If this is
so, We are mistaken. We would like to en-
qnire of the Sentinel, aohen the Legisla.
tire of Vermont passed the resolutions
10 question: The House Of ReprcSen.
taticcS, We believe, did pass some joint
resolutions, but they failed in the Senate
as much perhaps from their pompous
verbosity and ridiculous absurdities as
from any other cause. We dc not know
what authority tho Secretary of State
had to publish them among the public
acts Of the State. We think the people
of Vermont have just right to interro-
gate this functionary on the subject
Perhaps tho Governor can explain how
these resolutions have been forced abroad
as the expression of the sentiments of
Vermont. We pause for a reply.
But while we thus emphatically dis
claim all connection with tho ford rhet-
ORIG, tumid common places, and bad
grammar Of these resolutions, we desire
mos. respectfully to suggest that our
main objections to them lie in these
points alone.
Mr.. Sumner, whatever a carpibg crit
icism may say of bis speech, stood him.
SELF the representative of great state,
great section, and Il great principle
He stood manfully by the sentiments of
his heart, and tho convictions of lis un.
Outstanding Even though no were
in error, the position which he honestly
maintained, justly entitled him to the
respect of all true men, whether agreeing
with him or not. lie represented fully
and truly the sentiments of the great body
Of the people of Vermont
While he stood in this position, an un.
warrantable attempt was made 10 dis
grace him, and through him the senti.
mcnts he represented.
In these circumstances, We ask, in all
candor, if the peo pie Of Vermont were
not only not justified in expressing their
sympathy, but if they were not called
upon in common justice to their cham.
pion to stand b. him, when smitten down
at his post in defence of their principles ?
Our only regret is that this sympathy
has not found expression in accordance
with the proprietics of the subject, and
in the vernacular Of the country.