Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-03-24
NEW SERIES, NO. lss.
TERMS I :;r;s::s 4. sy.:::: '.:s':.s: :.s:


ting him, endoavoring to PROSTATE his influence,
he was laboring to bring out to the public view
the secret doctrines and motives which controll-
ed its advocates. If gentlemen will consult the
debates of this body during the time he served
here, or his biography, they will find that he
was constantly endeav0ring to develop the pre-
else issue now existing between the Republican
aed Democratic parties. | may be permitted to
cite an instance, In 1874, the Legislature of
Massachusetts, sent to this House a memorial,
asking an amendment Of the Constitution, 80 as
70 apportion the representation Congress ac-
cording to the free population Of the several
States. II was referred to select committee
ct nine members, some Of whom were regarded
as among the ablest Statesmen Of the South. As
chairman, Mr.. Adams drew up a report. Il
was based upon the self-eyident truths, that all
men have equal right to live, to that liberty
which Is necessary to acquire knowledge and at
tain happlness, Il was read TO the COMMITTEES,
and considered matureiy: Ut the eight moui-
pols oesiues nimseii, ! alone signed this s.fszs-
4, nut no one aenied 1ts aoctpnes, lie and 1 bad
noPeu snAg uoVerhor uilmer ., Virginia, ana
Veller soonthefn meiapefs, wouiu haVes nau the
,nvls, courage Y aa.niS " ueny is prmeipaes
~ lnsy eslosnsly ieareo % 40 tnls.
VIII gife announcer instance, illustrating ms
evuiluence y, ~ the erutns Oh tnah Aaetrument.
Z 4 ne " ooushefh men nad iong oeen 1 tne nap-
z " threatening oisSoiution Oh - union,
spnls III people q Massachusetts became tired OF
o''o poiieaSes anu sent peution W TINS pouFf
Playlng congress 10 take measures ior tne
posuc'ui anu inlneaiate SEPARATION OF tne otates
composing OUT Voniederacy. Its presentation
y "a, NJ aaans m created great sensation IN THIS
Ivy a.u tesoiu.ion Oh cehsure was inme
uiaIeiy onereu anu tne ageo patriot was iorIh-
WIN arfaigneu ~ the par Vi tne mouse. !he
enemies Oh rreeaom were iouo IN thelr exuita-
'ioh they HWY expcc1ea 10 prostrate MS ihnu
ence' 1 "A uis'lngnisnea ana eloquent son Oh
hcntucky Wasappointeu 10 manage tne prose-
cutlon. some q Mr. ADAMS 1flends laltered
Others became alarmed, and made Indecent
haste to deny all sympathy with him, and pub
llcly to repudlate his doctrines but these things
did not move him. a deep and absorbing in
terest pervaded this body and the community
generally. Every member was in his seat. The
spacious galleries were crowded to their utmost
capacity Against him were arrayed Gilmer
and Wise and Cooper and johnson, and host
OF distinguished men from the slave States.
Marshall led the assault in an able and effective
speech, showing, to the apparent satisfaction
of all Southern members, that Mr., Adams had
been guilty of treason to the people and to the
Government Of these States, by presenting the
petition.
As Marshall closed the distinguished states
man rose from his scat. His movements were
deliberate, and his whole bearing was digni6ed,
His form was erect under the weight of nearly
tour-score years. There he stood, venerable for
hisage, for his great learning, for his important
services, for the high honors bestowed on him.
lie entered upon no argument. He put forth
none of that terrible invective which had so often
caused his enemies to tremble and turn pale He
merely called for the reading of the first para
graph in the Declaration of Independence"
and the Clerk read that portion which sets forth
the natural rights of g all men to life, liberty,
and happiness And with unusual emphasis
he read that part which declares - Governments
to be constituted among men 70 secure tha en-
Joyment OF these rights and when he had
read the sentence which declares that, "when'
ever any form OF Government becomes destruc-
tive OF these ends, 1t IS the right and the duty
OF the people to modify or abolish IT., Mr.:
Adams stopped him, and IN loud, distinct and
solemn voice, repeated the last member OF the
sentence; then turning to the Speaker, he de-
| clared, " II there be any prlnciple dear TO the
american heart, 1t Is the right OF the people TO
modify or abolish their GoVerument whenever
1T becomes destructive OF tne lloerties or happi-
ness Of any portion OF Its lnhabitants' And
having avowed these doctrines as the oasis OF
his vindication, he boldly challenged them to the
issue. Every person present ieit the strength
of his position. His stalWart ioes were SUDDEN
! ly Frustrated. His prosecutors were coniound
| I'D Not one of their number could DO persuaQ