Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-07-17

dued by arms. There is no other way given
under Heaven among men whereby we can be
saved. Applause. All necessary amounts Of
men and money must be voted to the execu-
tive to accomplish this end. But the disaf-
fected ones say that when you have voted
men and money into the hands Of the execu-
tive, he has the purse and the sword, and
therefore it is a tyranny. But would any
man Of common sense say how the war could
be carried on in any other way Every man
who finds fault with doing il in that cons,itu-
tional way, is finding fault with its being done
at all. The provision that Congress cannot
vote supplies for more than two years at a
time is guard against tyranny.
Mr.. Collamer next went on to speak OF the
enrolment act. The extreme peace party are
very active in finding fault with this law.
The first complaint was thal t inierfered with
the constitutional regulaticn about militia.
But the enrolment aw sas no connection
with the militia 1t all. rhd oodbiiiotion gives
Congress the power to raise and support ar
mics. Rut it is asked why don't you pass a
law for raising the militia Militia are a
very good species of force for defending a
peoples bones but for carrying on war at
any considerable distance from their homes
they are Of very little use. They are too ex-
pensive serve for too short periods and
the calls for militia have got to be made
through the State officials. In this latter case
It some contumacious governor refuses to
furnish his quota, the other States will be
backward too. 1t will not do when the ex.
istence Of the country is at stake to rely on
such precatious support as that Of governors,
who may be Of this peace party
Some have said that this law makes a dis
tincton between the rich and poor, in the
provision for furnishing substitutes. But
other nations in their conscripiion laws al
ways allow the drafted man to furnish sub
stitute. II we had made law denying this
privilege, the clamor would have been unan-
swerabe. Does 1t do me any good to say
that my wealthy neighbor shall not hire a
man to 60 in my place Is IL not better that
he shall hire man to go who may be more
competent than himself;
That rich man hires people to work for him.
Does 1t hurt me any more to have him hire
people to fight for him than to work for him
The fixing OF the exemption price at $500
guarded against brokerage in the business,
and was protection to the poor man or the
man Of moderate means. The provisions also
that widow may have one son left at home,
&c were for the benefit of tbs poor aud not
the rich.
The speaker next urged the duty OF sus-
tanning the executive. There was d tendency
among the peope to hypercriticism of their
executive. But when the existence of the ma
ton was in the hands of the executive, be
should be sustained with that fidelity which
becomes Lood citizens. 1t was saying oi
Bonaparte's that two good generals were
worse than one poor one. A war managed
by Congress would be likely TO be insermina.
BILE. Add to this the editors and the rest OF
the people and iWould 9si*ltfsil Thare
was too much of tendency 10 this in the
public talk
Mr.. Collsmer next considered the power o
the President in suspendng the writ of Ha
beas Corpus The Constitution provides thai
no man shall be arrested without due war
rant Of law, issued upon an affidavit founded
on oath, declaring what is the crime. The
writ OF Habeas Corpus relieves man arrested
with out process But the Constitution pro.
vldes that the Habeas Corpus shall not be sus.
pended except in times Of rebellion or invasion
when the pulc safety requires it. That is to
say that then, it may be and shall be suspend
ed There is no occasion to suspend the writ
in cases of crime. But now when the time o
rebellion and invasion has come, this suspen-
sion enables thu President to arrest men who
have not been guilty of crime, and to prevent
them from committing crime.
In conclusion, Mr.. Colamer alluded TO the
importance of this struggle, urged that its sue
cess depended on the steadhst determination
Of the people based on conviction of duty,
pointed out the danger Of too great elation in
success, or depression in reverses, and concu-
ded by urgiug his hearers to trust their cause
to tue wager of battle as an appeal 20 Divine
Providence.
The resolutions we're received with great
enthusiasm, and the report Of the committee
was accepted.
Messrs. Dillingham; of Waterbury, Col
lamer of Woodstock, S. b. Colby of Mont
pelier and F. E Woodbridge of Vergennes,
made eloquen, and stirring speeches, which
want Of space compels us to iorego.
The resolutions were then adopted.
The following gentlemen were elected as
the State Committee for next year:
j. W Stewart, Of Middlebury.
S. B Colby Of Montpelier.
b W Bartholomew. Of Washington.
g n. Dale, of Island Pond
ID c Denison, of Royalton.
@. W. wilkins, OF Stowe,
Jonathan Ross. Of ST. Johnsbury.
The convention then adjourned.