Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1860-02-17

than moving &c ; insured.
The Windsor County Insurance Company
lose about 5000; Etna about the same
This is the most destructive fire which we
have had in this part Of Vermont for long
time, and its effects will long be felt Mr.
Mellish, Town Treasurer, saved all the money
belonging to the town, and Mr.. Haskell, the
Clerk, all the records. Several other small
losses are covered by insurance.
HARPER'S FERRY INVESTIGATION.
IMPORTANT TESTIMONY or GOV. ROBINSON
OF KANSAS.
Gov. Robinson of Kansas testified on Sat
urdoy before the committee to the effect that
Brown did not 20 to Kansas to settle but on
account OF the difficulties which he expected
would extend until the country generally
should become involved and slavery be abol-
ishcd. His object was not peace, but reyo-
luton, and differed in this respect from the
free State men generally. The only other
person who avowcd to the witness a similar
object was James Rcdpath
After he had lost all hope Of accomplishing
his object, be related to the witness the de-
signs Of himself and some others who were
operating with him He said but few were
in their secret, although many were operating
with them. The reason of his opposition to
taking possession of the Territorial and Ie-
compton State government at the ballot box,
was because he saw in such policy an end
to the disturbances. and consequently to his
hopes of a revolution.
Hence he, and those with him, who were
chiefly reporters Of the press, made war upon
all who were likely to aid in securing quiet,
in order to destroy their influence with the
people. He said they acted on the principle
that the end justified the means, and they hes
itated at no falsehood OF libel agains any man
who stood in their way, provided it promised
to further their object This, he said, ac-
counted for the ISLANDERS of the reporters, who
were in the scheme, against those who op-
posed them.
Witness knew Of bat one attempt to set on
foot revolution. This was led by Col. Lane.
Who Mr.. Redpath said. was under a strong
pledge to act as their leader in fighting. Soon
after the creation of the Military Board wit
ness heard Gen. Lane say that he had given
orders to the Brgadier Generals to strike at
several points in the Territory, with a view.
as he understood, to effect general slaughter
of pro-slavery men. His orders were never
obeyed, if given, and soon after he went into
Southern Kansas, with the purpose, as Mr.
Leonhart, one of his officers, afterwards told
witness, to march upon Fort Scott Some
United States troops were in that vicinity at
the time, and Mr.. l.. said Gen. Lane showed
the white feather, and backed down
Witness supposed, until the conversation
with Redpath, that this was an insane move
ment OF Lanes alone, but he now understands
that 1t was concerted plan of the revolution
lists. This was the end of that class of ope-
rations, so far as witness was cognizant.
The New York Tribune was used by these
men, Phillips and Redpath, as well as many
other papers, and they claimed that by means
OF the press, to which they had access as cor
respondents, they could make or destroy any
man.
1t came out in the evidence that Realf, Hin
ton and Kagi, were also correspondents, and
that all of them, including Phillips and Red
path, are foreigners
WIGFALL on WEBsrER.-A new luminary
seems to have dawned on the United States
Senate in the person of Senator Wigfall of
Texas. In a speech in the Senate, the other
day, he said that this country was laborina
under a radical mistake as to its form of gov-
eminent, and he demolished 'the expounder
of the constitution" in few weighty senten-
ces -
"Why, sir, there the distinguished man this
country has ever seen Daniel Webster, the great cx-
FOUNDER d" the constitutions, she called and haz-
ard he assertion that ffhre a single thinq aIont
9h'ch ne ggs more Pqto"diy ignorant than aty man in
re t".sea otHes, c9s me constitution Of the JRifed
states Senators upon the other side of the Senate smile
but, sir will take the Kentucky Senator'S avn milo
and apply 1t to Mr. Webster and claim a verdict Of iu
ny summoned from that side Of the Senate. Upon The
question Of the bank upon the question of tbe trf
upon the question Of internal improvements; upor ha
question OF the distribution Of the proceeds Of the sales
OF the public lands upon single great question up
on which parties have divided in this country Mr. Web
ster was ON one side and the people the other Then
the senator from Kentucky saws the pcono n,,b, -, u
permitted TO oonstrue their constitution Ii 50 and
their Judgment wac right, say Mr. Webster was wrong
ana - Is most extraordinary thing that the great cX
pou9u,t should never on single question that has ap
been right" ""''
Cor. FoRNEY's PosITIoN The Pbiladcl-
phla Press thus copies and italicizes an ex-
tract rom Washington letter-writer, and
says 1t fairly states the position Of Mr.. For
ney."
"Mr Forney rendered valuable service the oppos.
Won parry l Ienns' vauia ia the victorious campaigns
Of 1913 and 1850 We believe his well understood pres.
enl political position is this II Mr. Douglas should he
nominated tor the Presidency Popular Sovereignty
platform and should avowody accept that nomination on
such platform, aud should declare 10 the country that
he adhered to the principles he proclaimed in the Le-
compton contest, then Mr. Forney would support him
Proridd he beuered lint the platform ioas esfaBsbcd IN
gona tfHh nd Mr. D0Hgias sincere IN his aro,eai,
II either of these contingencies fail then throughout the
coming rresident struggle he will be found doing bat
tie with the friends Of the Constitution and the fpinn
against the enemies Of both
BLACK DEMooBArIo PAPER.-The Rich.
mond Enquirer when it heard Of the election
OF Penningtona as Speaker drapped its columns
IN deep black as is usual on the death of the
President Of the United States. 1t bewals
the election of Republican Speaker as The
'atest National Calamity las an event to be
recorded with deepest modification" as
ian event of national shame and disgrace"