Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1863-01-23
The Union Must BE Preserved.
Debate in Congress.-A True Union Speech
fsom a Democrat.

Va ~ Nt'NStsJ VI '"'t "SNNs s'S pO'oi'
ous secession sympaihizer, Va.lsndigham
Of Ohio, made speech full OF symE athy
with the traitors, and in favor OF the with
drawal Of the army, and against The farther
prosecution of war against the rebels. Tc
this speech Mr.. Bingham, Union republican.
of Ohio, and Mr.. Wright, Union democrat,
of Pennsylvania, made immediate and en-
phatic response. We COPY from the report
in the New York papers, as follows:
Mn. BINGHAM (Rep. Ohio) said they
had been favored again on that side OF the
House, with an apology for the rebellion.
This should never be allowed to go to the
country unchallenged while an opportunity
was allowed him to respond. Hi; colleague
(Vallandigham) had come here to-day with
denunciations that the war had been mode
by the Executive of the United States.
He started out with The oracular declaration
lie had heretofore made that coercion would
produce var that he had abided his time ;
and that Time, the 8. Great Avenger," had
answered that coercion would make war.
Now he (Bingham) demanded when the
gentleman talked about posterity and the
truth of history that he should make up the
record fairly according to the facts. A
stranger to rhe transaction of events Of
the last two years, listening TO the remarks
of his colleague, would s-ppose that blood
would not have been shed, and the c'oud Of
war not covered the land with the shadow
of its dark clouds. but for the act of the
President in attempting TO coetce law
abiding citizens. This is not according TO
history. While the care of the State was
in the keeping Of the genlleman's party,
war was already organized against the Re-
public. and our flag dishonored by a rebel
attack upon it within our own waters; yet
upon this subject the gentleman chose to
be silent. Long before the inauguration
of the President, rebel batteries were erect
ed around Fort Sumter for no other purpose
than TO reduce it by force. As his colleague
had raised the question, he thought he
might be allowed 10 show how the war
originated, and who of all others are re-
sponsble for its existence. lie charged
here to-day, while adjudged and justified
| by history, that this rebellion wou'd have
been power!ess but for the gentleman him
self and his party, who were perpetually cry
ing in The ears of the rebels, No coerc on,
while the rebels were organizing for disun-
! ion by the force of arms, and when one OF
the conspirators ia tie Cabinet was dis
manuling our forts, and while another men,
| Der of the Cabinet was sending vessels to
distant seas in order that the Navy might
no, in the day of our trial protect our flag.
The gentlemans President on the 4th OF
November, 1860 sent TO Congress mes
sage saying it was unconstitutional to CO.
erce the seeding States, and that the sword
the people in Congress to declare war
against the rebel States. What was the
OF ject of this coercion All on one side
If the President had not met the existing
condition of affairs, and taken action against
the reasonable proceedings, he would have
been false to his oath to protect, defend, and
maintain the Constitution of the United
States, and ought 10 have been pursued with
a resolution of impeachment. He repeat
ed. the rebellion would not have assumed
its present dimensions but for the derclic-
ton of the preceding President. South
Carolina had passed no ordnance of seces-
sion, but at that time stood alone. A pitt
fuI, contemplate State. with a small army
but all her traitors could have been stran
gled if President Buchanan had performed
his duty. How would it have been if We
had followed the example Of that admins
tration, which expired, thank God, on tbs
9TH of March, 1861? 1t was then consid
cred unconstitutional to suppress the rebel
lion; in other words it was assumed there
was no power in the Government to defend
itself against armed rebellion and treason
1t required no foreshadowing of prophecy
to AL that the Governme would be dis
solved by coercion on one side and withou
resistance on the other. He had no doub
that it grieved his colleague that the Presi
dent in April, 1861, dared TO sound TIL
note OF alarm, and that he had courage il
obedience to his oath to protect, defend ant
maintain the Constitution, to call for ZOO
volunteers to defend threatened capita
and the violated laws. The watchman place.
- fta noa.ala tho g.,