Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-11-18


slavery and he assured the author of the bill
that he would join with him in the passage of
any law, which shall furnish greater security
to the slave, which he insisted should b. done,
without putting in jeopardy the rights of the
citizens of free states
Mr.. Chlttenden did not propose to enter into
any long discussion Of the question before the
Senate he would content himself with Il brief
statement of the reasons why no should vote
against the bill. The first was that its passage
involved an open disregard, an undisgused vi0-
lation of the provisions OF the constitution of
the United States. If this position was well
taken-and of that each senator must Judge for
himself-it was sufficient for him, and the con-
sequences must take care of themselves. 1t
might be true that the people had petitioned for
its passage, that the public opinion. which it
was said demanded it, would as his friend the
senator from Rutland had remarked, bear down
all opposition to it, he should dare oppose it.,
even at such hazards, The article in thu con-
situation to which it was claimed this bill gave
effect, was one requiring, more than any other
uniformity of legislation it never was inten-
ded by the trainers OF that article that the rights
of persons under it should be determined by as
many different enactments as there were States
IN the Union That such was the intent of the
trainers OF the article was shown by the face
that within few years alter its adoption tht
law of 1893 was passed, and Congress thus ASST
med the right OF legislating to carry this pro-
vision into effect
Again it was impoltic for Vermont to assume
the position that it was the duty of the States
to legislate as to give effect to this provision.
The day was coming when the free people of the
North wonld control beth Houses of Congress
and the Executive. When that time came, and
the Fugitive Slave Law, and other kindred acts
were repealed he did not wish Vermont to stand
upon the record committed in favor of State leg
islation upon this subject Let the South not
be in position to claim Legislative aid from us.
He opposed this bill also, because it did not
mean what it said-because it spoke with a
double tongue. 1t protested to be an act in aid
Of the surrender of iugitives from service, when
it was designed to prevent such surrender.
Such legislation was hypocritical vicious, I'M
worthy the Senate and the State. If Vermont
intended to repudiate the obligations of the
Constitution, let her say SO not say that she
respects them, while she legisates for their de-
struction. TWAS claimed by Senator Nicholson
that under the provisions OF this bill no fugitive
could be returned, that it would be wrong to
return them. If a fugitive could be returned
under 1t, then the gentleman thought the bill
failed Of its purpose; it followed then as nee
essary consequence, that if one could see the
act was legislative falsehood it purported to
be an act for their surrender, when its prOvis-
ions were intended to preuent their surrender.
Vermont asks for, would tolerate, no such lsgis-
lation as this. Her people were not afraid to
publish to the whole world their views upon
this or any question. They did not ask to have
those views concealed under the mask of de-
ceptive enactment like this. Much had been
said about the public opinion that demanded
the passage Of this act-that was expressed in
the numerous petitions upon this subject, which
in view of the Senator from Ratlund, was about
t. order to instant execution every opponent to
this bill. lie denied the premises upon which
such conclusion was based. There was no
public opinion in Vermont that demanded the
passage of an unconstitutional law. There
never would be as long as her mountains stood.
1t was SANDER to assert the contrary. Her
people were educated into reverence for the or
ganic law Of the land. 1t was the obedience Of
the people of Vermont to law-the frmness and
decision with which they executed the provisions
of existing laws that made her people enlightened
educated, free and happy. If the contrary wer'
true-if the people of the State were becoming res
to throwthem off, it was just the time for rejecting
men to fearlessly oppose thespread of such penici
doctrine. He should do so, and ttust the judg
mcnt of the people for his justification, if there
was not another Senator who would give him
his countenance in so doing.
Resohaion.-By Mr. Clarke, that the commit
tee on banks be instructed to inquire whether
the Bank Commissioner now has, and if not II
hn crht to hava yowar In nyamina and, rpnor
upon the condition of all banks whose charter
has expired but whose affairs are not fully closet
up; whether Bank directors bonds should b
given and filed annually in case the same indi
yidual remains director for more than one yea
also makeng it the duty of Bank commissions
to inquire if any officers of any banks are con
nected with savings banks whether the Stat
treasurer should provide and keep suitable
book for the record of all certificates whethe
anything should be done with any bank if Their
is no evidence of their having had their capita
stock certified; whether the bank commissions
ought not to be empowered to destroy the bill
of closed banks whether the bank commission
er ought to be empowered to settle up the Z
Newell estate and with the bank of Newbury-
and also inquire regarding the right of redemr
ton of Vermont bank bills in the city of Ne'
York. Adopted. Adjourned.
HoUsE.-Reports.- Mr. Bridgman, fc
committee on claims, against bill to pay Amo
d. Scolay, and the bill was dismissed. b
Mr.. Wicker, for the general committee, agan'
bill relating to changing of names, &c:, and
was dismissed
EagrOssed hUs.-For the enlargement of bu
rial grounds providing that on application {
three responsible persons the selectmcn may el
tend the boundaries of grounds for the burial
the dead.
Incorporating the Female Collegiate Inst
tute at Springfield; passed.
Mr.. Bridgman moved to reconsider the vol
taken yesterday refusing the third reading
the bill to pay the town of Berlin, which W
agreed to and his motion was laid on ii
table. Adjourned.
Thursday, Nov. IL.
SENATE.-House bill to incorporate the Ascu
ney Mutual Fire Insurante Company, THU
roldlag refused.
House bill to incorporate the Hom9path
Medical Society was taken up and passed
Bill to incorporate the Burlington Corn
Band, was taken up and passed.
Bills iniroduced.-By Mr.. Stark, in amen
rnent of act incorporating the New Engla
Pottery company.
Reports.-By Mr.. Wead, in favor of Hor
bill relating to Historical collections
Petitioas.-Of j. p. Prouty and 20 Others
relation to fugitives from service and of N
Brown and 40 others.
Bill passed Relating to stocks and corr
rations without this State Adjourned.
HoUsE.-BMs introduced.-By Mr.. Coliam
to paw Ira P. Harrington by Mr.. Fleury,
nav s. II. Pike; and by Mr., Beaman, to pr
Lowell Leach By Mr.. Deane of CaVendish,
cooperating the Henry Mill Company; BY NJ
Jones. to prevent the destruction of propert
(relating to the destruction of intoxicating
ouors.) By Mr. Bridgman, (by request)
cooperating the Windham County Distile