Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1866-05-25
FROM THE SPEECH OF J. w. PATTER-
SON or n H.

ptuethhuNs AVttUv RiN"t'
FROM THE SPEECH OF J. w. PATTER-
SON or n. II.
American liberty is equality before the law,
and the protection Of person and property.
Nc emancipation is complete which does not
secure these primary rights to the freedman.
Nothing less will satisfy public opinion or
accord with the spirit Of the amended Consti-
tuition. Political bepsy must be excluded
from places OF power. aud never again per-
mi;ted to scatter lie poison into the fountains
Of legislation. IL is the simplest dictate Of
legal justice aud political prudence that the
leaders Of the rebellion, who have been f1iled
in their attempt 20 destroy the Government,
but not purged of their purpose OF their hate,
should be banished forever from the hsiis Of
legislation, the courts Of justice, and lhe
seats Of administration. tis equally clear
that time should be allowed to remove the
preiudices and soften The bsperiie. OF bose
tile population. ere they are permitted 20 ex-
ercse The elective franchise and sway the
sources OF political power. Can these gr. nd
results Of the revolution be fixed by perma-
nent guarantees in me present discordant
state Of public sentmenti | answer uDhesi-
tatingly they can and Will be,
Vsuel 10 defining ihe conduct due to in
surgents says il should be "such conduct as
shall az The same time be most consonsnt TO
justice, md The most snIutaiy 10 the state.
subjects who rise against their princes with.
out cause deserve severe punishment; yet
even in ,his csee. On @rtonul ct the number
of Delinquent, oL+,sa thY Asoomes duly in
the soyereigu.'
But, sir. While an soxious for hsrmouy
among The friends Of the Government, spurn
with righteous scotn the arrogant claims
and Insulting advice Of the State criminals
who have been put upon the stand TO testify
in respect to the amisble department. and 10y
al attitude Of population which the Govern
ment has not yet dared to let slip from its
mailed hand end to signify upon what con-
ditons these squelched rebels will deign to
resume their functions in the Union. The
impudent aud unolushing assurance with
which these rebel leaders, after their utter
overthrow and humiliation reheerse their de-
iunct dogma Of state sovereignty, and plead
their constitutional right TO an exemption
from all disabilities, and resumption Of all
privileges, is such burlesqus and mockery
Of the stern realities of The time as the genius
/ Of AristOphapes never reached.
Guilty Of every political crime, and deserv.
! ing thousand fold the taiuts and iotieitures
/ OF treason, they assert their innocence in the
face OF an iusulted but maguanmous people
Standing above the 2ugos Of three hundred
thousand victims Of 'er wrath, these mer
who have made the v,Ty air bot as the shir
of Nessus with their poisoned words Of male
diction and denunciauon az ainst the Govern
ment, insist upon being proptiated, and de.
maud admission 20 The forum Of Legislation
the halls Of justice, and the seats Of admins.
tration.
Are we not turning this bloody tragedy o
revolution into a comedy OF errors
Why, sis, the oulprit at the bar pleads th,
magnit de Of his crime a ground Of acquit
tai Nay, he even claims the right to ascenC
the judgment seat and pass judgment upor
his accuser. and threatens ere long to assume
the place of the executoUer.
20. jadQmeut thou OFT Req 20 british beasts,
Aud men have lost iheI ftatou.
/ With all deierence 70 the opinion Of others
think these men have no business here but
to plead for pardon. The court which takes
/ testimony from The criminal sits upon rot
/ ten throne. The vernment which seeks
counsel and support from rs enemies is both
weak aud ucalherJus ~, ii De he right Vi
/ hose whose poll Ia ssnets aIe universal
[ liberty and universal bo4 tcn. md who have
/ hailowed their creed with their blood, tc
make conditions ofletuin aud TO rebuild the
shattered fabrics Of state governments or
principles which will obviate future antagou.
isms and conflicts in the sistethood OF States
J would pay to these fallen chiefs the tribute
due 10 men who were brave IN bad cause
and would give them be privilege to live anc
/ die IN unmolesteu obscuIity IAN is no
/ lost" even to Them. They invoked war ugor
/ the land, and ia he bloody carnival the slaye,
! have done what their laikess did, asseiied 'heii
inaienabe righg and made themselves free
+ The n mesis OF national justice has swept
away The op1euce which they rad wrune
from unr gated toil--has deprived lhem o
the power to dispense an elegant and mag
nihcisnt hospitality in the sweat Of othei
mems bIows but Providence has kindly LEFT
them The consolation Of their hounds anC
/ fighting cocks. As they SIT amid the ruins
and desoiations OF their great plantations
/ their chastened spirits may still find tit utter
ance in he sweet lyric OF Covper:
am monarch Of all suryty,
Ny right there is none 80 dispute,
From the centre all ropud 10 he sea
am. lord Of he io,oi aud HE b' sts %