Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1865-12-29
NUMBER TWENTY SEVEN

On two occasions in this Chamber be stroy
for the right very bravely, so that his positio
was historic. One Of these was many years age
shortly after he came into the Senate Th
other was only last year. The historian and th
biographer viii describe these scenes. One Q
them is the fit subject Of art
The earliest Of these occasions was when, un
der the influence Of the President Of that day
backed by Jefferson Davis in the Cabinet, an il
legal government was set up in distant Terri
tory, which. in defiance of the people there
/ proceeded to institute an infamous Black Cod
borrowed from slavery. The President counte
nanced the illegal government and smiled upor
the Black Code. The representatives of slavery
in both Houses of Congress, with their northern
allies, indifferent to human rights and greedy
only Of political power, sustained the President
In his disregard Of that fundamental principle
Of the Declaration of the Independence, that
government stands on the consent of the gov
erned." The contest was unequal. On the one
side was struggling people, insulted and des-
pOiled Of their rights on the other side was
the President with all the vast powers of this
Republic, with patronage less than now but very
prevailing, and with a great political party
which gave to him an unhesitating support.
The contest reached this Chamber. Naturally
IT came before the Committee on Territories,
where happily the good cause was represented
by Jacob Collamer of Vermont The interest
increased with each day, and when the commit
tee reported, scene ensued without example
among us.
The reports Of committees are usually handed
in and ordered to be printed; but now at the
call Of Senator from South Carolina the re-
port Of the committee, whitewashing incredible
outrages, was read by the chairman at the desk
Of the secretary Of the Senate. The chairman
left his seat for this purpose. and stood face to
face with the Senate. For two hours the apollo
gy for that usurpation, which had fastened
Black Code upon an inoffensive people. sounded
in this Chamber, while the partsans Of slavery
gloated over the seeming triumph. There was
a hush of silence, and there was sadness also
with some who saw clearly the objectionable
turptude Of the sacrifice. Mr. Collamer follow
ed with minority report, signed by himself
alone, which he read at the desk of the Secre-
try, standing face to face with the Senate. Jes-
sc ID, Bright was at the time our PRESIDENT, but
he had installed in the chair on that momentous
occasion, none other than the most determined
artifcer OF treason and drill sergeant Of the re-
bellion, John Slidell who sat behind, like Meph-
istopheles, locking over the shoulder Of Truth,
while the patriot Senator standing before grave
ly unfolded tho enormities which had been per-
petrated. Few who were present then now re-
main; but none who were present then, can fail
to recall the scene. The report which Mr. Col
lamer read belongs to the history Of the coun.
try. But the scene comes clearly within the
domain Of art. In the long lite Of our departed
friend, it was his brightest and most glorious
beyond anything of honor or power,
whether in the Cabinet or on the bench. For
what is Office compared to the priceless op-
L. 81 sfa I,,f
ress for human rights
The other signal occasion, when he showed |
much Of the same character and was surely in
spired by the same sentiment, was during the
asst year, when the illustrious President, who |
low sleeps in immortality, undertook, in disre- |
,srd Of Congress and solely by executive power, |
o institute civil governments throughout that |
egiOn Of the Union where civil governments had |
'een Notwithstanding in the agencies he |
Employed the Cromwellian system Of ruling by |
major generals The case of distant and op- |
PRESSED Kansas was revived. Who can forget |
he awakened leonine energy the aged Senator, |
shen, contrary TO his custom, he interrupted /
mother in debate to declare his Judgment /
gainst the power Of the President to institute |
permanent civil governments ''to last beyond
he war; The dividing line was clear. The
President might exercise a temporary military
,Ower; but Congress must lay the foundations
f permanent pesce. This simple principle was,
f course, only the eorollary of that rule of JEFF
erson, which has become one Of the common
'laces Of our political system, asserting ''ths
upremaey Of the civil over the military author
ty." The eggs Of crOcodiles can produce only
rOcodiles. and il is not easy to see how the eggs
nd by military power can be Matched into an
American State.
This interjected judgment was aterward de-
eloped in a speech, which, for sententious wis
ON and solid sense, is, perhaps, the best he ev-
r delivered. II is not long, but. AXE the Roman
word. it IS effective from its very shortness. He
poke with the authority Of years. but he spoke
lso with another peculiar authority, for it was
e who drew the act Of Congress which PLACED
be rebel States under the ban. Positively. ear
estly. and most persuasively he insisted that
'ongress should not abdicate its control Of this
uestion. His conclusion was repeated again
nd again. Ii was for Congress. he said, to say
hen that state Of things existed which would
ntitle the rebel States to perform their functions
s integral parts Of the Union. 1t was for Con-
ress to decide this question. and not for the
resident, except so far as the President unites
a an act of Congress by his signature. And
e asked, "When will and when onght Congress
o admit these States as being in their normal
ondition l'' To which he answers, at is not
nough that they stop their hostility and are re-
entant. They should present fruits meet for
epentanes. They should furnish to US by their
ctions some evidence that the condition Of lOys
lty and obedience is their true condition again,
nd Congress must pass upon IL; otherwise We
ave no securities And insist that the Presi-
ent by making peace with them, if you please.
y surceasing military operations does not alter
heir status until Congress passes upon it,
hen again filed with the thought, he exelaims,
The great essential thing now to insist upon is
hat Congress shall do nothing which can in any
Tay create a doubt about our power over the sub
eet." And still pleading against executive in
he says, al believe that when re-es-
ablishing the condition of peace with that peO-
lie, Congress, representing the United States,
as power in ending this war as any other war,
o get some security for the future. 1t would be
strange thing if it were not true that this ma
ion in ending a civil as well rs foreign war,
ouid close it and make peace by obtaining, if |
ot indemnity for the past, at least some security
or future peace" This was the last speech of |
ur patriot Senator. 1t is his last dying legacy |
o his country. Let all. from President to citi- |
zen. heed its words. The aspiration so often ex-
'ressed to day that he had lIyed to take part in
be restoration OF the rebel States is fulflled.-
Ie lives in his declared opinions, which are now
choed from the tomb.
PORCELAIN PIcTuREs.-Persons wishing to |
ct this beautiful style of likeness, colOred in |
he most artistic manner, can obtain them at |
,tyles' Vermont Gallery of Art