Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1861-03-15

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of secession become the act of State,
! or been recognized by the so,ereign
power Of Srate-I mean the people.
= The ordinances have been adopted by
conventions, elected in the fever of an
, excitement stimulated by false represent
atoms hastily elected, without mature
delberation, and without a full vote of
the people. The constitutions of South
Carolina and Florida provide that
'No convention Of the people shall'be
called, unless by the concurrence of two
thirds Of both branches Of the whole
representation"
And am not aware that this provis-
ion has been complied with in either
State. Be that as it may, find that in
none of the other States are conventions
authorized at all by their constitutions
and in all the seeding States | find that
their constitutions can be amended only
by enactments of two legislatures in sue
cession, with from three to six months
notice previous to the election of the
second Legislature; or by enactment OF
the Legislature, three to six months
publication, and ratification by the peo-
pie. Yet these conventions, which or
dsined secession and abrogated the laws
Of the United States, did also abrogate
in part, Or change the constitutions Of
their States,
Thus, the revolution is twoloId it is
revolution in the States against their
constitutions, and revolution in the Uni
ted States, and against their allegiance to
the Federal Constitution It is double
distilled rebellion, and in no Stale has it
been ratified by vote of the people.
By the constitutions Of their own States,
and Of the United States, they are not
out of the Union yet. BY the patriot
ism and prudence of their people, on
calm review Of these revolutionary pro-
ceedings, and the sad results already suf-
fered by their regular and constitutional
action, let US hope that these States will
yet be declared to be within the Union,
redeemed from the usurped power of as
piring demagogues, and purified from
their polluung toucn. surely, we may
refuse to acknowledge the independence
Of States which have not yet seeded.
At least, until the people Of the seeding
States have ratified or acquiesced in the
revolution that has been attempted, we
cannot recognize their independence.
Cancellation, compromise, concessions
for more than sixty days these have
been pressed upon US, powerfully and
persi5tently; pressed upon us from with
out by timid and mistaken friends and
bold and avowed enemies and pressed
upon US by the first not more to preserve
the Union, than BY the last TO annul the
late verdict Of the country and destroy
the Republican party; but worse than
these, pressed upon US for temporary
peace, or a Temporary policy, at the ex-
pense Of principles which can never be
surrounded pressed upon US 10 keep
the cotton States within the Union, at
the risk Of driving the Northern States
out Of it; pressed for the Cancellation Of
rebels who will not be concilated. at the
risk Of disallecting the loyal, who will
not be degraded. know there are men
among them who are actuated by nobler
motives than some of these and who do
not contemplate consequences such as
these.
know there are good men here, gen.
erous, pure and patriotic men, Of almost
every section and of every party, who
are actuated by the best OF motives, and
have appealed to US with all the charms
Of eloquence enforced by the claims of
rraternal affection and the fears of fatal
results. Alas that these have been so
few alas that among the Representa-
tives of fifteen States, the instances have
been so rare that each deserves a monu-
ment more lasting than marble. And
each will have it, in the memories of all
coed men.
They say he is very man, per Sc,
And stands alone"
Cancellation, forbearance, kindness
Yes, Mr.. Speaker | viii accord all these
even TO rebels in arms. Christianity de-
nands it humanity demands il the ties
Jf blood aud the bonds Of common ma
onallty demand it ; and l would prove
o a wondering world that my country,
,boye all others, responds to such de-
nands as these. Our Government is
'ased, more directly than any other upon
be affections and the will Of the people,
md it must be more lenient than any 9th
n TO the mistakes and Ife ofIenses Of The