The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-12-17
Border State Policy.

Kentucky enjoys the. bad distinction of now
being represented in the Senate of the United
States by men who seem to think slavery of in
initely more value than the Union. Garrett Da-
Wis, one Of her senators, is reported TO have spo-
ken as follows, on the resolutions in relation to
the exchange of prisoners:
" He argued vehemently against the policy of
refusing to exchange our suffering white soldiers
the langulshing, starving, and diseased white
men-because the rebels refuse to exchange the
negro captives He denounced at length the
policy OF the Administration upon the several
points in which the negro is affected, character
.'zng It's position as monstrous, and referring to
the present era as the reign of Abraham the
First. de averred that his own loyalty was I'M
spotted-that he hated with undying rigor the
crime of secession, and that he should ever. in
seeking to avoid the Scylla of the rebellion, use
constant vigilance not to fall into the Charybdis
of Abolitionism. 1t was evident that his policy
was only part of that designed to perpetuate
the party power Of the Administration. He closed
with an indignant and earnest protest against the
refusal Of the Administration to lIterate thou.
sands OF starving and dying white men for the
sake of a few negroes"
10 striking contrast with this bitter attack on
the President, is the answer made to it by Rev.
erdy johnson, Senator from Maryland. Mr..
Johnson said
1t was perfectly clear that humanity, which
is the highest polity, demanded the continuance
Of the exchange of prisoners. AS the negroes
in the hands OF the rebels were but few in num-
Der, he would suggest that an equal number of
confederate prisoners should be held as hostages
for colored soldiers. lie proceed to combat the
opinion OF the Senator from Kentucky DaysA
that these men should not be protected and cor.
rected bis views of the power of the President by
quoting from the Constitution relative to the
Executive and Legislative powers Even SUP
posing there was no army or navy existing to pnt
down the rebellion it would still be the duty of
the President to execute the laws and nrovde
therefor the means II a foreign foe had put his
foot upon these shores, has not the PRECEDENT the
right to call around him all the facilities which
the power of the Government can supply ? He
cannot force men into the ranks, but he can call
for volunteers. Has not Congress the power to
call the slave population to the defense of the
country Though the neg rCes are called prop
erty for the purpose OF taxation, they are still
persons 1t is not essential that they should be
At1ehs w NC cdAeo upon Ii tneY are not cltI-
zens, they men. But being property, they
must bs paid for, if thus called out in pursuance
OF the power siysa the President. In conclusion,
ne said that the Constitution will be returned TO
cts original excellonceand tho men who have vi
plated 1t will be held 10 account but until that
day comes, we should with one heart and voice
unite In exerting the whole moral and physical
power OF the Government in putting an end, now
ma forever to an ambitioss, unprovoked, and
treasona6le attempt to destroy Government,
the best ever vouchsaed man, and by DESTROYING
IT, constitutional liberty itself would be destroyed"