Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1861-01-17
d nninfnl. vet needful and wisely an-

but II Is necessary II not TO exhaust Tue argument, NJ
least to exhibit the whole case. The disunioniss,
consciously unable to stand their mere disappoln-
ment in the recent election have attempted to enlarge
their ground More than thirty years there has ex-
listed consderable-though not heretofore forinld-
abemass Of citizens in certain states situate near or
around the delta Of the Mississippi, who believe that
the Union less conducive to the welfare and great
ness of those states than smaller conederacy EN-
bracing Only slave states would he. This class has
availed itself Of the disconents resulting from the
election to put into operation the machinery OF disco
luton long ago prepared and waiting only Tor occasion.
In other states there is soreness because OF the want
Of sympathy In the free with the efforts OF slave
holders for the recupture Of fugtives from service In
nil the slave states there is restveness resulting
from the resistance which has been so deerininedly
made within the last few years, 1 the free states, TO
the extension Of slavery in the common territories of
the United States. The republican party, which cast
its votes for the successful presidential candidate on
the ground Of that policy has been allowed practical
ly, no representation, 20 utteance by speech or
through the press, in the slave states while its policy,
principles and sentiments, and even its temper, have
been msrepeseneda us to excite apprehensons that
it denies important constitutional obligations and aims
even at interference with slavery and ts overthrow by
state authorities intervention Of the federal govern
meit. Considerable masses even in the free states,
interested in the of these Interpretations
as means Of partisan strategy have lent their SYM
pathy to the party claiming to be aggrieved While
the result Of the election brings the republican party
necessarily into the foreground in resisting disunion,
the prejudces against them which have described
have deprived them of the cooperation of many good
and patriotic citizens On complex issue between
the republican party and the dsunonists. although it
involves tho drcst national caamities the result might
he doubtful; for the republican party Is weak in
large part of the Union. But on direct issue, with
nll who cherish the Union one side, and all who
desire its dissolution by force the other, the verdict
would be prompt and almost unanimous desire
thus to simplify the ISSUE and for that purpose to sep
arite from it all collateral questions, and relieve it Of
all partisan passions and preudices.
consider the idea of the withdrawal of the Gulf
states and their permanent reorganization with or
without others in distinct coniederNcy as means
of advantage to themselves, certainly unwise and
so obviously impossible of execution, when the pur-
pose is UNDERSTOOD that dismis it with the discussion
have already incidentally bestowed upon it. The
is different however, in regard to the other sub
iects which have brought in this connection before
the Senate.
| Beyond doubt, union is vitality important to the
republican citizens of the United States; but tits just
as important to the whole people. Republicansm and
union are, therefore, not convertible terms. Republic
cansm is subordinate to union, everything else is
and ought to be-republicunsm democracy, every
other political name and thing, all subordinate
and they ought to disappear in the presence Of the
great question Of union So far am concerned, it
shall be it should be ii the question were sure
to be tried as it ought only to be determined by the
peaceful ordeal of the ballot. II shall be all the
since there is side preparedness to refer it 10
| the arbitrament of civil war | have such faith in
this republican system of ours, that there no poti
cal good witch desire that am not content to seek
through its peaceful forms of administration without
invoking revolutionary action. If Others shall invoke
that form of action to oppose and overthrow the gov
erument, tIeN snail NOT, so lar rs II depends on me,
have the excuse that obstinately left myself to be
misunderstood. In such a case can afford to meet
prejudice with Cancellation, eXactOn with concession
which surrenders no principle and violence with the
right hand of peace Therefore, sir, far as the alb
stract question whether, by the constitution of the
United States, the bondman, who is made such by the
laws of state, is still man or only property, an
that, within the state, its laws that subject
are supreme that when he has escaped from that
state into another, the constitution regards him
bondman who may not, by any law or regulation of
that state be discharged from his service but shall be
delivered up claim, to the party to whom his SER
vice is due. While prudence and justice would COM
bne in persuadng you to modify the acts OF Congress
on that subject oblge private persons to
assist in their execution and to protect freemen from
being, by abuse of the laws. carried into slavery,
agree that all laws of the states whether free states
or slave states which relate to this class OF persons
any Others recently coming from or resident IN oh-
states and which laws contravene the constitution
of the United States or any law of Congress passed
in conformity thereto, ought to be repealed
Secondly. Experience in public affairs has confirm
ed opinion that domestic slavery, existing IN any
state, is wisely lett by the constitution of the United
States exclusively to the care, management and dis
position of that stae and if it were in my power l
would not alter the constitution in that respect II
misappreheuson of my position needs so strong rem
edy an willing to vote for an amendment OF the
constitution declaring that it shall not by any future
amendment, be altered as to confer Congress a
power to abolish interfere with slavery in any state.
Thirdly. While think that Congress has exclusive
and sovereign authority to legislate all subjects
whatever, in the common territories of the United
States; and while certainly shall never, directly or
indirectly give my vote to establish or sanction slave
II ry in such territories, or anywhere IN the world yet
the question what constitutional laws shall at any time
be passed in regard to the territories is, like every
IS other question, to be determined on practical grounds
voted for enabling acts in the cases of Oregon, Min
nesotn and Kansas, without being able to secure tC
r them such provisions as would have preerred; anC
10 vet voted wisely So now, am well satisfied that
II under existing circumstances, happy and sasfacto
1f ~ solution of the difficulties in the remaining terrific
res would be obtained by similar laws, providing fol
l. their organization, if such organization were other
lie wise practicable. IT, therefore, Kansas were admitted
as state, under the Wyandoc constitution, as thinl
she ought be- and the organic laws of all the 9th
lie territories could be repealed could vote to author
ize the organization and admission of two new states
IL which should include Them rcserving the right TO eff
feet subdivisions of them whenever necessary int,
several convenient states; but do not find that sucl
is reservations could be consttutionaly made. With
t. out them the Interior embauassments which wout
result from the hasy incorporation of states Of suc
o. extent and various interests and character wou
IN outweigh all the immediate advantages of such
- measure. But if the measure were practicable,
s. should prefer different course namely; when the
centric movements Of secession and dsunion shall
o. have ended, in whatever form that end may come
and the angry excitenents of the hour shall have sub
T. sded and camness more shall have resumed it.
accustomed sway over the public mind then, and no
p until then-one, two three years hence-l shou
cheertuy advise convention of the people, to be as
to sembled in pursuance of the constitution, to consde
mt and decide whether any and what amendments of thu
e. organic national law ought to be made. republican
he nOwas have hitherto been member OF other par
nc ties existing in my day nevertheless hold On
cherish as have always done, the principle that thi
he exists in its present form only by the
he sent of the governed, and that it is necessary
is WISE TO resort to the people for revision of the
gnnic law when the troubles and dangers of the stat
on certainly transcend the powers delegated by il to III
Is public authorities. Nor ought the suggestion to eS
ID, cite surprise. Government in any form is machine
Ii this is the most complex that the mind of man Ia
&C. invented, the hand of has framed
H. Perfect it is it ought TO be expected that will,
NJ least often in a century, require mod
Of cation to adapt it to the changes of society and alter
n? nations of empire,
g- Fomthiy. / hold myself ready now, as Away
heretofore to vote for any properly guarded laws whc
shall be deemed necessary TO prevent mutual invasion
Of states by citizens of other states and punish thos
d. who shall nj and abet them.
ise FUhly Notwithstanding the arguments of the ga
.y liant senator from Oregon General Lane) remain
mt the opinion that physical bonds, such highway
all railroads. rivers and canals, vastly more powerful
&C. for holding civil communities together than any
to covenants, though written parchment or engrnve
,nt upon iron. remain, therefore, constant to my pun
lte pose secure If possible the construction Of two Z,
AN cifc railways one of which shall connect the po
ie around the mouths of the Mississippi, and the other ii
towns on the Missouri and the lakes, with the harbo
nat on western coast,
mr. IT, in the expression Of these views have not pre-
fl posed what is desired or expected BY many other
cir they will do the justice to believe that am rs IA
his from having suggested what in many respects woul
have been in harmony with cherished convictions
learned early from Jefferson that In polit