Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1860-01-13
GOV. RANKS, MEssAGE.


The admirably statesmanlike, dignifed and
heightened character of the Message of Gov
ernor Banks Of Massachusetts, will commend
itself to men of all parties We extract the
portions relating to national affairs, as fol-
lows:
THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT.
Recent occurrences call attention to the measures,
tendencies and principles which to control the Ma
tiona Government Great changes have occurred during
the last Eve years in the opinions Of the people but far
greater in the policy u the government
There has not been in this Commonwealth, At any time
in twenty years past general concurrence Of opin
ion or loss agitation Of political topics than during the
interval between the election Of 1912 and the opening "
the thry-third Congress- after somewhat compulsory,
but general acquescence in compromise Of 1850
This harmony Of feeling upon the subject Of slavery
not disturbed in this Commonwealth by philsnthrp
pists, agiaors, disclaimers theorists. The public
records Of the time will show this. Ideas very pow
eiu but revolutions in opinion OF government rarely or
never occur uneccompanied by events commemorate
with them and heir results There is greater error
than that which attributes the present disturbed cond
ton of the public mind the spccuatOus Of scholars
or the denuncaons Of enthusiasts. is attributable to
historical events memorable events events con
nected with the government, and which were alike be-
yond the control Of agtatOrs. hianhropsts abolition
lists. and even Of the people themselves.
Il Is worth while 10 consider NJ these nation
al occurrences such the repeal " the Missouri
compromse.-a conspiraton against the people Of the
South A. well the North the invasion Of Kansas by
bands Of men armed with the plumber u public arsena
10 overawe the officers appointed by the President Of
the United States with the consent Of the Senate and
subvert the government " the people by force the g-
gan,ic frauds committed in the elections Of that Terri
tory which were denounced by the government officers
a. by the people the sacking Of towns and the muir
der " their inh bants the rejection BY Congress Of
constitution framed by the people, aud the effort 10
force upon them against their will and against all prn-
cplc and pre- edent another framed by ConQress the n.
legal and defiant renewal Of the foreign slave trade the
attempt TO force surrender u The political rights Of the
ga and fhn anil NarN HFaN II
judicial decision the deadly assault upon Senator Of
this Commonwealth while ia the constitutional perform.
ance Of bis duty in the Senate chamber the sarfce
Senator on the Pacific Coast bcctuse he said in the
agony u death he had opposed the extension of slavery
the neglect Of every interest nf labor and of commerce
by government, and the prostitution Of an its powers Ia
the spirit Of slavery propagation the invasion Of tho
mails and the threats Of dsuuion and revolution when.
ever check by constitutional change Of national policy
Is suggested these are among the events that have
contributed 20 the present state Of public opinion. Il
required incidents OF no less magnitude 10 produce s
results We're the press suspended and lip sealed
with the silence Of death, they would still nce every
manly heart TO indignant, though fru less resistance.
THE sTUPENDOUs WRONG.
But It is not merely that which Is pas, that disturb,
the country; II ia the fear Of that which is to come IN,
repeal Of the Missouri Conprnmisp was the rpoet atm
pendous public wrong ever committed In this country nj
that men will live to commit not bccause of il. ef
feet ON Kansas, but that Il initiated policy If violent,
inconsistent with liberty or just government freedom %
opinion, the interests Of labor the rights Of States IN,
equality of the people, the Observance Of constitutions
hmiaiions or the perpetuaton Of free institutions
violent policy must be sustained by VIC ent measures
history proves n and our experience that Of Other
nations viii verify H.
1t is idle charge upon the BODY N the sunporters nj
the national administration any deliberate intention r.
establish MEASURES nimioal TO the public interests The,
probably have no such purpose, and may justly discan
~ but d s nevertheless true that the men who drec
that policy will ALLOW, and can allow no ncarc Tho,
must submit themselves 10 the law Of necessity which
gwen" gov. ,aem ms Sf s,c,y i o
laroon OF purpose personal and official the part VI