Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1860-12-27
XXXVI CONGREss-second Session,


Mr. Wade said he had very little faith in ar.
gument under existing circumstances. Many
who have spoken confess that they are totally
unable to understand what they complain of.
AS yet the Republican party has not ruled any
where. No man need approach him with u
threat. lie did not understand that anything
gaowing out of the recent election was cause
for the present condition of the country. Have
the leaders in the present revolution anything
to complain OF in the present admnistra' ion
What caused this excitement? If the news
papers are to be credited, there Is Il reign of
terror i'll the Southern States equal to that
which once prevailed IN Paris. | will tell you
the cause, said Mr.. Wade. | do not blame the
South, for they have been led to believe that
the Republicans will trample ON all their rights.
by our enemies at the North? Has the South
any reasonable grounds of complaint? They
complain Of Personal Liberty bills, but say they
really have not So ffered by them.
The moment the American people cut loose
from the sheet anchor Of their liberties, that
moment the republic is at an end. We must
submit Ia the unmistakable verdict of the peo-
pie. He said he would yield to no compromise
We had won the victory as all others had, and
We had no compromise to make The Consti-
tuition must be met alone by the Constitution,
and when we 60 astray from that we shall Get
into difficulty. The South claims a constitu-
tional right to Secede from the Union. If that
beso, we have not and never had any govern
ment South Carolina is a small State, and we
should not miss her much if she were swallow.
ed Ivy an earthquake tomorrow, For himself
he would allow her to go out but as mem
Der of Congress and supporter of the Consti-
tuition he could not do 50. A State has no
constitutional right to 90 out, They can rovo-
lutionize ; and if they conquer they arc right,
and if they are conquered they are rebels.
Mr. Wade further said he did not see cause to
apprehend that war would he made on the Sc
ceding States, but he asserted the right to do 60
il they saw fit. lie explained the duties Of the
President under his obligations to the whole
country, and said that even aftor secession.
which fact the President was rot to recognize,
every Federal right would be exercised among
which is the collection Of the revenue. The
chief Magistrate must collect the revenue pre-
cisely the same as in every other State No
State can be released from that obligation, for
the Constitution demands 1t. What follows?
If the seeding State shuts NJ her ports Of en-
try 50 that ships cannot discharge their car
goes then the ships will cease to 60 there; Or
if the Government blockGdes her ports to col
lect the revenue, then she will not have gained
her Independence by secession. II she will fee!
contented to live under this equiyoca state Of
things all will be well but if she cannot do 50
what will she do? She must take the nitia
tive and declore war upon the United States ;
then force must be met by force and she must
hew out her independence by violence and war;
the act OF leyyng war is treason against the
United States. That IS the result, and we may
as well look the matter in the face. The Soma
tor from Texas says the South will force an ig-
nomlnious treaty from US in Faneuil Hall To
this he would answer WE'LL you may We
know your power, we know your bravery, we
do not want to fight with you, but nevertheless
if you drive Us to the necessity We will use all
our powers to maintain the government intact
in all its integrity If we are oyerthrown the
government will ba subverted as thousands of
other governments have been. If you are the
weakest then you must 60 to the wall, that is
all there is about it That is the condition in
which we stand. | can see, said Mr.. Wade no
power in the Constitution which will release
the Senator from this position.
Mr.. Wade continued at considerable length,
contending that the present troubles were main
iy attribu table to Interpretations OF theRc-
publican party and its objects. Adjourned,
HoUsE.-Tho Speaker laid before the House a
letter from the Secretary Of the Interior, asking
an appropriation to supply deficiencies for the
Suppression Of the slave trade.
Mr. Adrian Of New Jersey offered the follow
ing preamble and resolution
Whereas, The Constitution is the supreme
law of the land, and ready and faithful obedi-
encc is the duty Of all good and law."biding
citizens
Resoiped That we deprocato the spirit of dis
obedience to the Constitution, wherever mani
tested, and that we earnestly recommend tbs
repeal of all statutes by State Legislatures in
conflict with and in violation Of that sacred in
strument and the laws Of Cangross passed II
pursuance thereof.
Mr.. John Cachrane of New York offered ar
amendment to include the repeal Of all person
al liberty bills (Applause.I
Mr.. Adrian demanded the previous question
on the resolution as amended. Impatient erie
of "Question.
Mr.. Washburn of Me- endeavored to maxi
m explanation, but was called to order.
CriesSof "question, !" and great confusion.
Mr.. Spinner of N Y and others SAID they
should vote No." because the words L" al
nuhfying laws were not included.
The resolution Of Mr.. Adrian was adopted
Isl against IA.
The preamble was adopted unanimously,
Mr. Lovejoy of Illinois offered resolution
similar to that of Mr. Adrian, but adding {
recommendation for the repeal of the nullifca
ton laws, and asserting that il is the duty o
the President to protect and defend the govern
ment property.
Mr.. Loyejoy's resolution was adopted by {
vote of l24 to no nays.
Mr.. Hill of Georgia. before the result wa!
announced expressed his astonishmont and graf
fication at the exhibition on The part of the gen
tleman from Illinois.
Mr.. Lovejoy objected to Mr.. Hills giving al
Interpretation to his proposition.
The Spcaker-The Debate is out Of order.
Mr.. Hill, resumiug-It affords me, noverthe.