Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-12-22
Border Stat 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
fnltely more value than the Union. Garrett Da-
Wis, one Of her senator's, 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
tive languishng starving, and diseased white
men-0ecause the rebels refuse to exchange the
negro captves lie denounced at length the
policy OF the Administration upon the several
points in which the negro is Affected character
zng its position as monstrous, and referring to
the pes mt ERA as the reign of Abraham the
First. lie ayerred that bis own loyalty was I'M
spot ed thai he hated with undying rigor the
crime Of secession, and that he should ever, in
seeking to avoid the ScyIla Of the rebellion, use
constant viz ance not to fall into the Charybdis
Of Aboltionsm. 1t was evident that his policy
was only part Of that designed to petpetuate
the party power Of the Administration. lie closed
with an indignant aad earnest protest against the
refusal Of the Administration to lIterate thou
sands Of starving and d ting white men for the
sake Of few negroes"
In striking contrast with this bitter attack Oh
the President Is the answer made to it by Rev
erdy johnson, Senator from Maryland. Mr.
Johnson said
l. was perfectly clear that humanity, which
is the highest polity, demanded the continuance,
Of the exchange Of prisoners. As the negroes
in the hand. Of the rebels were but few 10 mum
Der, he would suggest that an equal number o
confederate prisoners should be held as hostages
for colored soldiers. lie proceed to combat tn,
opinion Of the Senator from Kentucky Davis,
that these men should not be protected, aud cor
recttd his views Of the power Of the President, b,
quoting from the Constitution relative to tn
Executive and Legislative powers. Even sup
posing there was no army or navy existing to pu
down the rebellion it would still be the duty Of
the President to execute the laws and provide
therefor the means. If a foreign foe had put BIZ
foot upon these shores, has not the Pretdent the
right to call around him all the facilities which
the power of the Government can supply Hl
cannot force men into the ranks, but he can cal
for volunteers. Has not Congress the power L
call the slave population to the defense of tn,
countryP Though the negroes are called prop
erty for the purpose Of taxation, they are still
persons. 1t il not essential that they should b,
itizens to be called upon. lfihey are not citi
zens, they are men. But being property, they
must be paid for, if thus called out in pursuance
of the power given the President. In conclusion
he said that the Constitution will be returned t,
cits original exaellence,and tho men who have vi
olated it will be held TO account but until tina
day comes, we should with one heart and voice
unite in exerting the whole moral and pbysica
power OF the Government in putting an end, nov
and forever, to an ambito.s, unproyoked, ant
reasonable attempt TO destroy Government
the beat ever vouchsafed man, and by destroying
it, constitution liberty tsell would be destroy ed