Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-05-06
CGNFiSC 4 TON AND EMANCIPATION
An Exposition By Republican Senator Of the
Dangers Of Radical Measures-Spetch of Hon
Jacob Coiiamer, Of Vermont, in the L. s. Sen
ate, April "a, 1862
hrruBLrcAS GOVERNMENT on TRIAL.

Mr. President, our nation is in "a stage and
condition of its national existence where un-
doubtediy u attracts more than Il ever did before
the notice Of the nations OF the world not mere
ly in relation the skill which i shown la our
new prolectles or improved ordnance OF lnyuI.
nerable ships, even in our battles, but the at
tenuon of the world IS attracted To what is TO be
the result on this great occasion of this national
experiment of ours They saw Your expert
ment OF a republican form of government sue
ceels we'll enough in time OF peace, when there
IS occasion try it. when there is nothing to
test it; but they have looked forward 20 some
time which might bring periods Of trial and con
vulsion; aud the question before the world is. is
our system competent 10 that occasong does il
possess strength and elements of power sufficient
TO meet the shock of such contingency If il
will not DO that, they say II is not what We have
claimed il TO be before the world-the great and
successful experiment in popular government.
Now, say the world. I've shall see whether
you can succeed with what appears TO us a feeby
formed Governments in period OF trial" That
We may be enabled 70 sustain the integrity OF the
natIOn-I mean its entirety not its sense of JUS
tiee-by the physical force of the nation is but
one step in it. That is not the point The great
question before the world to be now settled by Us
~, can we sustain the integrity OF our Govern.
ment. and perpetuate our Institutions and do il
according to the limitations and provisions OF the
Constitution That Is what is 10 show that our
Constitution IL competent TO the trial and moth
ing short OF that. If. when this occasion arises,
We are compelled TO resort % mems which, i'm
effect, are the means used by stronger Govern
ments, our experiment is failure 1t we are
constrained TO call up, invoke. and put in exercise
ia any one department of the Governmental is
imnaterlal IN what department OF the Govern
ment-mOre OF power. more Of force. than the
Constitution prOVllpS than il Iel nv flaf
COnstitutiOn-the moment we do that. or are con
strained from our supposed necessities TO do il,
we acknowledge before the world that our insti-
tutions iusuiiiciently founded aud that we
are alter all compelled. in the period of trial to
resort 10 the force which, they say. Is necessary
To the existence OF nation, and our experiment
is failure. We should, therefore, particularly
IN period like this carefully study and sacre,ily
regard all the limitations and provisions OF the
Constitution. IL Is vain and idle in Us to war
against part of our people because they have
made war upon this Government il We az the
same time have % sap the foundations OF the
Government by Stabbing through the vitals OF
the Constitution.
STATE GOVERNMENTS MUST BIZ RESPECTED.
Mr.. President. il is quite obvious that State
legislation. local legislation and gov ernineut i -
essential! feature OF this Government n the
General Government The system cannot exist
any without the one than the other. Ii j.
a failure utterly unless both exist Then. in re
storing Government. IL implies that We must ne
store the State Governments. put them again
into operation. or We fail in cur system altogether
In relation % this last branch OF duty can con
ceiye that there may be legislation even at this
period which mas possibly tend. II we'll admin
i-terei IN some measure 10 secure that greit end
But the first thing 10 DE observed i. that. how
ever legislation may take place, nothing can be
practically done on that point until the Insured
ton an armed inSurrectOn Is put down sup
pressed. tor then alone Is il that your Law eau
really operate The plans which different gen
tismen have presented all look TO hat None OF
theul IN any OF their essential aud leading pur
poses can be cttried iutO effect in any way until
NE possess the coun'Ty. Ihey are not means 20
that eni-the end OF Suppressing the armed re
bellion; they ouly 10 take effect after the
armed rebellion j. suppressed, for that mus. be
done IN order 70 put such a law into operation:
and the question i. can We lesislate now wisely.
dIsefeelly. advlseily. n such manner that our law
may be put ia operation II that time with success
20 the end ~hicA | have stated | confess tor
myself | have some misgIvIngs about that.
We HAVE NOT FULFILLEp oCR CONSTITUTIONAL
OBLIGATIONS TO THE rEoPLE % IHE REBrL
STATES
The duties OF protection by tue Government
and allegiance ana loyalty by the people are re
cirroc3i terms and duties. Neither OF them can
be exacted by the other unless that part due by
Itself Is performed This j. as true nov a Il was
Nhen II was said and elaborated 6y Judge Par
sons. Wow. sir the mea who have ridden over
the people in the Southern States have establish
81 Governments De Jaefo. they are operative ON
that people. however much they nav have origiu.-
led IL usuFgatOn. How are We 70 hook M such a
peopleg What Is our daty 10 them a. a natonl
What i their duty 10 Us as citizenss Il Is the
duty Of the Government OF the Untel States
under the Constitution, 10 suppress insurrection.
That e our dat,, clearly expressed IA the Consul.
tuition. 10 pat down Instruction everywhere ia
the United S.stes. Al insurrection i essentially
injurious 90 thas section in which il arises. and
the duty ~ iiaye il suppressed i most owing 20
those that most injured by H. Mr President.
have w@ put down that insurrectiOny Have We
relieved that people from the incubus which j
sPou theml Have dispersed the insurgents
who ride rough shod over themf We have not
done Il. You may say, Our duty OF protection
II - peopie that are ioyal and Ne y,ifl rr,,..,