The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1860-12-28

and Polk inclusive. And that revered states
man, Henry Clay, of blessed memory, with
his dying breath asserted the doctrine We
hold to-day. Why, then, are We held up be.
fore the community as violators of your
rights 1t is late in the day to accuse US of
harboring these opinions. Then, what doc.
trines do we hold that are complained of p
You don't complain of our liberty bills. You
don't complain that MIR Lincoln is violent
man, and will probably do any injury to you.
The republican party in the North, and in
Ohio in particular, hold the same opinion, so
far as know, with regard to this peculiar in
stitu,ion tha, is held by all civilized nations
in the world. We don't differ in public SEN
timent from England. France, Germany, or
Italy, or any other civilized nation on Gods
earth. | tell you frankly you will never find
community who are in love with your pc
culiar institution. Now, the senator from
Texas told us that cotton was king, g,and could
overrule by its influence Il do but use his
words.) and compel men to come down-that
it had subjects in Europe. will say to that
senator that they are rebelious subjects, and
are talking very disrespectfully of their king.
They tell you they sympathize with those you
call black republicans. Therefore, hope we
shall hear no more of the boast that "cotton
is king" and is going to overrule all nations
and bring them under its footstool. 1t never
will be done. But have our Southern friends
any complaints to make of the platform ?
tell YOU frankly that We cid Law down the
principle that we would prohibit. if We had
the power, slavery from invading another
inch of free territory of this government.
stand there to-day. have argued it to half
million of people, probably, and they stand
there-and they have commissioned me to
stand there forever, and. SO hel p me God
will. say TO you, while We hold this doc
trine to the end, there is TO republican, or
convention Of republicans, or paper. that pre-
tends we have any right in your states to in
terterc with your peculiar institution. On
the other hand. our platform repudiates the
idea that we have any right, or intention ev-
en-, to invade your institution in your own
states. Now, what do YOU complain Of a
You are going to break up this government.
You are going to involve US in war and blood
out of mere suspicion that We shall trans
CtNu tHdt WHICH We StdIu utte 10 |iIlliCate.
How would YOU be justified in the eyes of the
civilized world to take SO monstrous posi-
ton, and predicate it on a mere suspicion p
We don't love slavery. Didn't YOU know it
before to-day? Everything remains as it
did year ago. But all a: once, when We
meet here, fnd all gloom, and gentlemen
rise up to say We are on the eve of breaking
up this government. Seven or eight states
are going to set up hostile government
and they look implorineIy over to US, and
say, You can prevent it. What can We do
You have not conde>cended to tell us wha,
YOU want doLe. If We should give up the
verdict Of The people and take up your plat
form, don't know but YOU would be salts
it'd, and think the senator from Texas (Nr
Wisfail.l rather intima,cl. and the senator
from Georgia (Mr lverson.) rather more than
intimated. that if We would take what is ex-
ac:.y the Charleston platform, on which Nh
3reckinrilge was placed, aud give up ,a., on
which We Won our victory, YOU would grudg-
in.ly and hesitatingly be satisfied
After asserting in strong ard unequivoca
terms that tie republicans would not surren.
der the principles on which they had won the
presidential contest, and could not DO Sc
without betrayng the trist coniided to them
by the people, Mr. Wade defined his position
towards the secession movement as follows
MANY of YOU stand in an attitude hostile
to this government when YOU threa,en,unless
We do SO and SO, you will 90 out of this Tn
ion. aad destroy the government. say, in
MY private capacity. never yielded to any
thing by way Of :ircats. In my public ca
pacity have no right to yield. Therefore, ]
would not entertain proposition for COM
promise. Ihis long. chronic controversy
must be met upon the principles of the con
stitntion. hope it may be adjusted, but
know of 10 way except that laid down by the
constitution Of the United States. When VT
20 as,ray from that We plunge ourselves into
difficulties. There are different ways of con-
strung it. but, in my judgment, it is the vi
scst constitution ever yet organized, and
am willing to stand by it. ask for nothing
more. There is another subject about which
| ought to say something. 1t is claimed tina,
YOU have right to scc.de at Your pleasure
| cannot find any warrant for doctrine like
/ that in the constitution. In my Judgment. i,
would te suhvcrsivc of constitutional obliga
/ tons. If that IS so, We have no government
1t would reduce this Union to a mere cor
glomerption of states, to be held together al
the will of any captiouS member OF it. Tht
slate of Soath Carolina ia small state ;but
probably. if she was sunk by an earthquake
We should hardly find it out. except by tht
anwonted harmony that would prevail in thin
chamber. | say this from no ill-wil think
she is unwiSe. would be willing to let hel
20 out if we could do so without an exampl.
fatal to all the government. Bat, standin.
i;ere, my wishes must be controlled by con
>,itutional duty. don't see how any maj
can contend that state can 90 out of tht
government at pleasure. The question Wa,
reviewed thirty Years ago, and received ;
verdict which 1t was supposed had set it a
rest forever. Ry Gen Jackson, and the mer
who surrounded him, it was pronounced ;
delusion, and utterly disruptive of ali gov
crnments. Yet here it is to-day, bloomin,
and fresh. Mr. Calhoun, even, held to tn,
doctrine that We have power to make war OF
u state You will find this doctrine in hi
long letter to Gov Hamilton. | acknowledg,
to the fullest extent the right of revolution
if you so call it-a right to destroy the gov
ernment and erect another or its ruins NOR
10 accordance with your wishes. But wher
YOU undertake it you undertake it with thi
proviso If you are successful, all right
You are heroes. But if you are defeated
YOU are rebels. That is the character of al
revolutions if successful, all we'll ifunsuc
cessful, the government treats them as trai
tors. lie did not see cause to apprehen
that any party intended to make war on tn
seeding states he only asserted the righ
to do SO if tkey saw fit He would ot,how
ever, counsel or advise any party to do it,
He would be very tender with the rights o1
TIN mania uhn uere about to h-aaL IN, IL