Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1864-04-15
The Cnse Of Congressman Long.

number Of republican papers doubt the
policy of expelling Mr.. Long for his treason
able speech on Friday last. The \. Y Ere
ming Post, after expressing the opinion that
it is impossible for US to cOncede the indie
pendence Of the South, saws;
We are not unwilling that those who have
come to other conclusions should have the full
liberty to express them, whether IL thenewspapers
or on the floors of Congress If they carry that
liberty to the extent Of overt acts Of treason,
they can be arrested and punished; if, like Har-
ris of Maryland, they are insOlent and outrage
Gus in their manners, they can be properly CEN
sured; but if they remain within the limits Of
fair debate, if they controvert argument by ar
gument, If they present only logic, eloQuence
appeal, in favor Of their views. they are but
exercising the rights which belong to all freemen
The y. Y. Times, whose editor, Mr.. Ray
mond, is the strong and intimate personal
friend Of Mr.. Colfax, goes the length Of pro-
nouncing bis resolution neither right nor
expedient," and adds:
We say that when an Anti-Administration
-htuibtA u tpuEltss plAills niIAstli hNlllN On
peace ground and tells the dissemblers Of his
party that they are in a false position-that
honor and consistency demand that they should
either sustain the Administration or else move
squarely over 10 his place--he has rendered a
positive service TO the Government, and deserves
thanks rather than expulsion.
The Springfield Republican says
Mr.. Longs treason of speech was very mild
compared with that Of Mr.. Harris The gist of
Mr.. Longs speech was that he preferred to re
cognze the confederacy rather than to sec the
South subjugated according to the policy Of this
administration. Being peace democrat he is
Of course against the maintenance Of the Union
by war, and so stands Substantially with Harris,
but he did not say it, and is no more subject TO
censure than the Woods and dozen other peace
democrats in Congress.
The New York Commercial Advertiser says
it Is not open peace men that the country
breads, but half-Searted protesting war men,
aiding that ''great freedom of speech can be
liberated by powerful people who are real
ly united in a good cause"
The Salem, Mass. Gazette says:
This is enc Of those dangerous procedures
which may at any time return to plague the
inventor" Il is fairto keep such seditious
haranguers as Long aniHarris and " God
within the strictest rules oforier, and the d am
mer Of Speaker Colfax should bring them tc
silence and their seats as often ashley transcend
those rules.
Silent contempt would be not only the most
appropriate reception for their seiitous bnwling,
hut would also tar more etfectually than any
other course disappoint their hopes OF throwing
the House and the country into disorder, and OF
plac ng themselves before the world in the light
Of martyrs for free discussion and liberty Of
speech
Whatever be thought of Mr. Longs case,
It strikes Us that these expressions do not
apFly to that o. Mr.. Harris of Nd If Con-
gress will not. then the Government should
PUT its hand on such an obvious rebel.