Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1866-11-23

the exclusion of everybody else, in office ere
since : Compared with such aetion-the &C
ton of all victorious nations-we are thi
most magnanimOus and the most moderate o
any on record
The other and last amendment relates tC
the validity of our national deb: and alsC
provides against the assumption Of the rebe
debt or the payment for the loss or the eman
cpation of any slave We may be sure un.
til human nature change, that question will
not be allowed to sleep. Without the
amendment it will be in tue power of any &C.
cidental majority in Congress to double ou1
public debt in single day and repudiate 1t
IN the next \ corruption commission on
two billion: and a half should not he lett in
the bands of even honest men-iar less
should such lever remain in the hands Of
selfish and desperate men. let us put the
subject NJ rest forever
Without sadopting these amendments
and what iair-minded man will say they are
unreasonable no rebellious States will
be permitted to share in the government Of
that union thev so plainly, even now. show
their wish to destroy, and with the adoption
even then, Congress will exercise wise
discretion. Even loyal representatives must
be backed by loyal Constituencies.
But, gentlemen. | perceive that | may
have already trespassed beyond my allotted
time snd sball detain you bat u moment
or two longer. Every one understands that
all reasonable guarantees for cur future
security could easily be obtained il the Pres
ldcnt had cnly been persuaded TO Cooperate.
and then We should have h,d r,posc only
disturbed by the stir OF universal prosper!-
ty. Ii Is sometimes asked, why cannot We
have that ropOse 50 much needed by the
whole country and 50 longed for by all men
We 90 understand that Judas-manag-
ing well the business affairs oi the disciples
as he did-was acquainted with the High
Priests uplii he came to transact business
with them. Deserving OF much credit in
the conduct Of our foreign relations in the
main, yet the Secretary Of State tine c5iner of
"the irreprcssible conflict" has been trans
acting business with the High Priests Of the
Albany Regency.-Our repose has be n
handed over to be crucitiyd.
The questions that are now before rs are
not mere bubbles that rise upon the surface
and then pass away TO Dc seen no more for-
ever. They are far loltIor-lag more en-
during and upon our decision the course
Of the country tt kes a new departure, either
downward with that civilization which has
- long cursed the South. or upward with
that founded Oh Plymouth Rock and which
marches in the vanguard Of liberty and u
man progress. Ii Is either supremacy of The
systym Of master and serf, or the supremacy
OF the gospel Of tree institutions Shall the
worn cut school OF iJx-huntcr- ,n virginia
OF the representatives Of free schools etGyate
and rule the country? For tour years the
World has sadly seen tie Republic n a fixed
star on tiTe, IN the agonies Of civil war. anI
shall it become the sm0uldcrins ard black
encd relics Of slavery. or shall /; shine
tlm.n5 With justice and universal ii1lry iu
greater splcnd1r Tor having been t;.,l a. ty
fire: Whatever the task Of ftit,s,naurhip.
wua,eyer length Of time It may require. H.,
last rood OF slavery must De- cxurIatcd.
Lct Us 30 rebuild the Constitution that there
shall not be niche in thc whole structure
where slavery can "contriye 90 rebuild its
nest. Then there Will be no antagluisms
% prevent the assimilation OF our people.
Then there viii lie no policies nor counter
policies for the aggrlndizement OF one por-
tl1n Of the Union at the expense Of any
other portion. Then the nobler civilization.
the Tich harvest OF the great American prIn-
ciplc OF the eternal nights II man promul
gated ninety years ago by our fathers, will
spread and guide the future and granier
dcstinies Of the Republic