Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-05-02
coNfrscArloN OF rnoraNtY.
spEECH on HON. IACoB COLLAMEI
DeIIgered D ID D. y s.aaie. III q. lsea

TTVTT
marks from perhaps any quarter but have felt Il to b,
my dety to undertake 10 address the Senate as we'll
the circumstances will permit have desire MAX,
a speech for the purpose " home consumption. have
prepared no rhetorical discourse I have no figures oil
rhetoric set down In pote book, and conned by
What have ~ saw Is matter VI business and shall
talk right on, for IN earnest about what have IA
say too much IN earnest 20 undertake 10 find figures
rhetoric or anything by way u establishment adorn-
mcnt
Mr. President, our nation IS in stage and condition oil
ts national existence where undoubtedly attracts more
than ever Il did before the notice n The nations Of tho
world, not merely In relation 20 the skill which is shown
In our new pruecet or improved ordnance invuucr.
able ships, in battles, but the attention OF
the world Is attracted 10 what s 10 be the result on this
great occasion " This national experiment of ours They
say, "your experiment " republican form of govern
meni succeeds well enough in time Of peace when there
q no occasion 90 Try H. when there Is nothing % test 81
but they have looked forward to time which might
bring periods Of trial aud CONFUSION and the question
before the world IT, is our system competent 20 that
CASTOR, does It possess strength and elements u power
sufficient 10 meet the shock VI such contingency lit
will not do that they say IL BE- not what have claimed
IL to be before the wordthe great and successful
pertinent Ia popular government Now, say the
world, we shall see whether you succeed with
what appears to us ccbly formed Government On pc
Rod Of TRIAL" That we may be- enabled 90 sustain the
integrity Of the nauon-l mean its entirety not its
Of Jusuce-by The physical force Of the nation s but one
step in IT, That is not the point The great question
before the world 90 De settled hy is, sus-
tain the integrity II our Government and perpcuate our
institutions, and do IL according the limitations and
provisions Of the Coustuan That is what is 10 show
ing short Of that r. when this occasion arises, are
compelled 10 resort 10 which, Ia effect, are the
means used by stronger Governments, experiment is
failure II we are constrained To- call up invoke aud
put In exercise In any department Of the Govern.
meni-ii is immatcal In what department Of The Gov.
crnmcnimofc n power, moro uf force than the Cous-
tuition provides than s limited by that Constitution
the moment do that constrained from our sup
posed necessities 10 do IT, we Acknowledge before the
world that our institutions insuiicicitly founded
and that we amer 90 compelled In the period of trial
TO resort 10 the force which, they say is necessary The
existence Of nation, and our experiment is failure.
should therefore particularly in period like This,
carefully study and sacredly regard all the limitations
and provisions Of The Constitution. II is vain and idle
ma us To war against part of our people because they
have made war upon This Government II thc same
time have 10 sap the found ltons ~ the Government by
stahbug through the viials n the Constitution
Now, cir, wish 20 call the attention Of gentlemen
moment for It is matter u curiosity, not 90 what
say, but to few words that Mr. Madison said. hold
IN my hand part Of the proof sheets n the first volume
OF the works Of Mr.. Madison Those works now be
ing printed under act Of Congress, and have been
furnished with the proof sheets If part Of the first
umc In examining this work NJ who has been call
ed the father oi Constitutions who certainly had
more 10 do with framing it and obtaining adoption
than any other man In the nation have found memo
raudum II his made IN April, l7A7, before the meeting
Of the convention that formed the Constitution. Here is
his memorandum, which seems 20 have been made fir
particular difficulties, inhmcs, and trouble with the
Articles Of Confederation, wherein they needed change
with his remarks under each head in brief notes. de
sire now TO read one Of those heads. II is this
90 Want Of guaranty 10 the States Of their coustitu
tons and laws against internal violence"
"NorE-6. The Confederation is silent this
point aud therefore by the second article the hands
Of the Federal authority tied According TO re-
publican theory right and power being both vested in
the majority, are held to be synonymous According to
TACT and experience, minority may, in appeal 10
force be an oyeruatoh for the majority II the minor
y happen 10 include all such possess the skill and
habits Of military fe and such possess the great ne
'uniary resources third only may conquer the ie-
naming two-hirds q One third Of those who partici
'ae IN the choice Of the rulers may be rendered
n ntshs 49,.
hem from right Of suffrage, and Who for obvious rca-
ons, will be more likely 20 Join the standard Of srdon
nan that Of the established Government 3. Where
3Very exists, the republican theory becomes still
allacious."
Mr. President, who read remark Of that kind and
lot stand almost astunshed its uninsured predetion
here written by him seventy five years ago. We have
cen few active politicians, few military possess.
OF military skill and ambitious Of renown, with few
lore II you please, men Of wealth, never. in my opn
m constituting third Of the people Of the Southern
tates who have ridden rough-shod over the majority Of
le people and have established government de tacto
lat rides over them to-day That is what he said would
appen it has happened.
shall be obliged occasionally to repeat things thar
erhaps have been said better than say them in this
ebate but they are necessary to the oonsecutyness Of
~ remarks.
ance aud loyalty BY the people reciprocal terms and
lues Neither Of them can be exaced by the other un
50 that part due by itself is performed his was As
ue now as 1t was when it was said and elaborated
Y Judge Parsons. Now sir, the men who have rid
m the people in the southern States have estab
he'd governments de trcfo they are operatyc on mat
ople, however much they may have originated In usur
tion. How are we to look al such people What il i
IT duty TO them as a nation What Is f6er duty IN ms
citizens 1t is the duty Of Government of the limited
ates, under the Constitution to suppess nsrrectiou
hat is duty clearly EXPRESSED in the Con,ttution
put down instruction everywhere in the United I
iates An nsurreotion IA essentially injurious to that
cton in which arises and the duty 10 have IL sun
ressed is most owing to those that are most Injured m
MI President, have put down that insurfectiou :
ave relieved that people from the incubus which is
pom them Have we Dispersed the Insurgents who
de rough shod over them We have not done il Yon
lay say "our duty Of protection 10 people that are
'yal, and will protect them" Sir il the peoule are all
he while loyal they do not need any protection they
land in peace, Of course Ii we have any ohratiin. ia
people Of the States as members of this Repube il
TO protect them from violence When we Guaranty
rem republican form Of government in each state
npies that have the exercise power over them at
ast to secure to the body Of that people the opporn
to have, not nominal and usurpod an actual Gov.
rnment within the Constitution Of the United sates-
hat is what we owe them
will remark another thing These men have estab-
shed de tacto government that people liza man
nds himself in de tacf0 government which he cannot
asist and has power 10 control what are the limits
nd measures 0f his obligations IL requires brave
ian 70 say thai he will war upon it because he thinks
Is usurpatiou. IL would be bold man who should
ny now " the United States made rebellion against
.ngand and all the present power YOU have national
nd state, is itself but usnrpati0n 1 do not owe il
ny obcdience and | will not obey it," How idle il
'ould be TOT individual a weak man to talk In that
,ay just 50 1t Is with the people in these States
however loyal their feelings, government dc f1cto
ver Them they cannot get away they have nowhere
o 20 they have nothing TO go with. What would YOU
ave man there 20 do What has this nation rght
o demand n him What RIGHT have No D., demand ~