Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1860-05-25
R7uticqns and Amricansi

NV first duty Is to express
% you my deep Of this distinguished mark Of
vour confidence; and in the spirit in which 10 is
offered, | accept it. | am sible Of the difficult
ties which surround the position, but l am eered
and sustained bv the faith that the generosity
whic brought me here will carry me through the
discharge Of my duties. 1 will not shrink from
the position which Is at the same time the post Of
danger, rs well rs Of honor.
Gentlemen; we have come here to-day, at the
call Of the country, from widely separated homes,
10 fulfla groJt and important duty. No ordinary
cali has brought us together. Nothing but mo-
ueutous question would have called this vast null
titude t,-etber-nothing but the deep sense Of
dln-cr into which the Government is fast running,
could have rallied the people thus in this city to-
Gay, for the purpose of rescuing the Government
from the deep degradation into which has fallen.
We have come here at the call of the country, for
the purpose Of preparing for the most solemn duty
that freemen can perform. We are here IN our
ordinary capacity as delegates of the people, TO
prepare for the formation and carrying on Of new
administration. and with tho help of Gcd we will
do II. No mere controversy about miserable
distractions brought us here to-day. We do not
come here any idle question The sacrifice
which we have made in an extended journey, and
the tiae we have devoted to it, would not have
been made, except on some solemn call The stern
look which | see on every face, and the earnest
behavior which has been manifested in all the
and deep of the solemn obligations which are
resting upon
Gentlemen it does not belong to me to make
any extended address, but rather 10 assist in the
details Of the business which belongs to the con-
vention; but allow me to say think have
right here to-day, in the name Of the American
people, to impeach the administration of our gen
eral government Of the highest crimes that can De
committed against q oohstitIt tional government
against a free people, and against humanity. Inc
catalogue Of its crimes it is not fer me to recte-
it is written on every page of the history OF the
present administration of the government, and
care not how many paper protests the PRESIDENT
nav senU in to the House of Representatives. We
here. as grand inquest of the nation, will find
ont for him and his confederates, not only pun
ishment. terrible and sure, but remedy that shall
be satisfactory.
Before seding TO business, the convention
will allow me to congratulate you and the people
on the striking features which, think must have
been noticed by everybody who has mixed in the
preliminary discussions Of the people who have
gathered in this beautiful city-it is that brother
ly kindness and generous emulation which has
marked every conversation and every discussion,
showing desir,Ior nothing save the country sgood
Earnest, warm, generous preferences are express
ed, ardent hopes and fond purposes are declared
but not during the three days have spent among
you all have heard on. unkind word uttered by
one man against another. l hail it as an ougury
of success and if, during the proceedings Of the
convention, you will unite to perpetuate that
feeling and allow it to pervade all your proceed
ings declare to you it will be the surest and
brightest omen Of our success whoever may be the
standard-bearer in the great contest that is pend
ing. In that spirit, gentlemen, let now pro-
ceed to businsss-to the great work which the
american people have given into our hands to do