Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1866-03-09
WHOLE NUMBER 531.

attach as much importance to this
point as | do, but | regard it as fun
damental. One principle that peered
up through the revolution was that
there should be no taxation without
representation. | hold to that princi-
pie which was laid down as funda-
mental by our fathers. If it was good
then it is good now. If it was worth
standing by then it is worth standing
bynow. 1t is fundamental, and should
be observed as long as free govern
ment lasts. | am aware that in the
midst of the rebellion it was said bv
some that the Constitution had been
rolled up as a piece of parchment, and
laid away that in time of war and
rebellion there was no Constitution
We know that sometimes, in great
necessities, under great emergencies,
unconstitutional things must some
times necessarily be done in order to
preserve the Constitution itself; but
if, while the rebellion was going on,
the Constitution was rolled up and
laid away-if it was violated in some
particulars in order to save the Gov
ernment, all must be excused and
justified, because in saving the Gov
ernment you really saved the Consti-
tuition. Now that peace has come
now that the war is over-we want
again the benefit of written Consti-
tuition; and | say the time has come
to take the Constitution down, to I'M
roll it, to read it, to understand its
provisions thoroughly and learn that
in order to save the government we
must save the Constitution. Our only
safety is in a strict adherence to and
preservation of the Constitution Of
our fathers. 1t is now unfolded.- 1t
must now be read. It must now be
digested, and understood by the Ameri-
can people. | am here to-day, then,
in making these remarks, to vindicate
the Constitution, and save it, as
believe, for it does seem as if encrOach-
ment after cncroachment is proposed
upon it. As far as | can | have re-
sisted encroachments upon the Con
stitution, and | stand prepared to
resist them to-day, and thereby to pre-
serve the Constitution and Govern
ment of the United States. (Great
applause.) 1t is now a time of peace,
and let Us have peace. Let us enforce
the Constitution. Let US live under
and according to its provisions. Let
it be published and printed in blazing
characters, as though it were in the
heavens and punctuated by the stars,
SD that all can read, and all can un-
dcrStand. Let US consult that instru-
ment, and be guided by its provisions.
Let us understand them, and under
standing them abide by them. | tell
the oppoSers OF this government, [ care
not from what quarter they come,
east or west, north or south, you that
are engaged in the work of breaking
up the Government are mistaken
The Constitution of the United States.
! and the principles of free government.
are deeply rooted in the American
heart, and all the powers combined
cannot destroy that great instrument
that great chart of freedom. Their
attempts, though they may seem to
succeed for a time, will be futile
They might as well undertake to lock
up the winds or chain the waves of
the ocean, and cOntine them within
limits. They might as well try to re
peal the Constitution-and indeed it
seems now to be supposed that it can
be repealed by a concurrent resolu-
ton. (Laughter.) But when h e
question is submitted to the popular
. Judgment, and to the trust of the peo-
pie, these men viii find they might just
as we'll introduce a resolution to re-
peal the law of gravitation. The at
tempt to keep this Union from being
restored is just about as feasible as
would be resistance to the great law
of gravitation which binds all to a com
mon center. The great law of politi-
cal gravitation will bring back these
States, and will replace them in all
their relations to the Federal govern
ment. Cliques, and cabals, and con
spiracies, and Vaccinations, Nortl
, aud South, cannot prevent this grear
+ consummation Tremendous ap-
plauSe.) All that is wanted is time
Let the American people get to under
+ standing what is going on, and they
q will soon manifest their determine
: ton.
/ Here by way of explanation let M
}. say that | would to God the whoI,
: American people-could be assembled
|. here to-day as you are. | wish thert
e was vast amphitheatre here capa
n ciouS enough to contain the Who'll
, thirty millions, and they could witnes
# the great struggle that is going on t.
v preserve the Constitution Of thei
of fathers. They would soon settle tn
d question if they could once see ho,
u things are-if they could see the kin
t, of spirit that is manifested in the effor
g to break up the real principles of FIRE
TO government. When they come to III
:" derstand who was for them, and VIII
| was against them-who was for anne
or iorating their condition and who fo
,r elevating them by preserving thei
IN government. if the combatants coul
H. stand before them, and there could b
; regular setto between the respectiv
n gladiators, in the first tilt that migf
be be made you would find that the en'
" mics of the country would be crushet
in and t h e people would sustain il
re friends and the friends of constitution
no al liberty. Great cheering. NJ
IT. fellow-citizens, / have detained yo
ee much longer than | intended. &c
at on.") But we are in great strugg