The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1866-02-16
Noble Speech by Hon. Joshua HIN,
Of GeOrQid.

1t Will be remembered that the rel
Union men OF the Georgia legi,la,u,.,
cast their votes for Hon. Joshua Uiu .
one of the L. S. senators at the rer.,,,
election, but was defeated, the chuic, fan.
ing on Alex. ii. Stephens and IIerShell !
johnson, both OF whom Were ilenrif.l
with the rebellion, and therefore incaIr,il.
of taking the test oath The day lr.,a,.
the election Mr.. Hill defined his post.
with soundness and boldness thai ,irifl
him TO the admiration of all loyal me.
After retracing his career as a Union man
Mr.. Hill said:
g You will all bear ME witness thar !
have MOI opportuned you for your Hct.--
for that, if for nothing else. YOU >len
give Inc credit In determining a rlajr.
for senators. | have a right ia insist 1!..r
you do no hurt TO the state, by elecfin-. =.
man, who from any cause cannot rcr1r
YOU if elected. have no right 10 ur-s.
upon YOU, nor will /, INV abilities TO rc,
resent the state. but | max. and >hcaid
present my availability If any Of Yea
imagine that If is a matter of triiiing I'M
portance, what position, civil or miiitalz.
an individual has occupied in the ,leiunr.
government of the confederacv. lei he
tell you, that You labor under profound
mistake; whoever regards lightly the le>1
oath, and believes ii immaterial whether
one can take ii or not. Is laboring unirr 4.
deluSion. The admission of member IL
TO the present Congress will depend nn;iir,-
ly upon the ability of the members H.
take thsioath required of them-con>ciy:l-
clously- The history of each memh.g
will be inquired into: rigid scruiinr
will he observed rs TO his anteocde,it>.
And no matter what may l,e the person
merits OF a man, his political career ald
character alone will be consulted. Thi>
stern rule may irritate and wound rugr
pride, bat should not, if indeed YOU ;re
the loyal man You profess 10 be- Ii Won
really teel reluctance 10 elect a man
who cain take this oath. then ii i because
you disapprore his loyalty, and ii sustain
ed in this sentiment by your constituents.
The. goa IRE not entitled to Representation n,
the cotlec;s> ~ tie nation If it he a maj
ter of reproach 10 he able TO take this So
we're oath, then denounce me. for | can
take Ii. am sorry 10 say that | know
so few who are in my situation. DO vou
not wish that all could take il 30
Abiding TO Mr. Stephens, Mr.. Hill
SAID: 1T Is generally understood that You
will make choice of distinguished gell-
tleman, prominent Tor his public services
and acknowledged talents. and. re.ardie->
OF ms earnest remonstraneeS as SET forth In
the letter | will read von- force upon him.
ohjectlng and reluctant Is he NAV le-lhi~
high trust If You are really hiS frieil.l-.
You will better serve him by foregoing il,.
Use OF his Maine. care not ii a man l..
considered As pure a an angel. undo.
such circumstances he cannot escape :.
suspicion vi encouraging The aet. NJ
attitude may bias INV Judgment. but NIL
stake my reputation that evil comes 81
the deed But the fat has gone iolsl.
AMI ii Is irrerok;ihle.
Some profess fO believe that the;,. i,
little difference aS la the status of mril.
and that all viii be REGARDED alike In !,
nothing that si,ch Is !. condemnin@ l!.
revolution, and abstainin- from ill., COM
meneement 10 lis close from participating
IN any public meeting, from casting 4 vote
Tor the pretended government, and iron
any act voluntarily al war with obli.a-
lions 10 my counirr-iS there. in your
luigment, no difference between such :.
man and one who took Office under al
organization hostile and AT war with the
government 10 which his allegiance waS
due 3. 1t You determine there i mol. III,
s1'ste OF til: H't,d .States ariW rera,n gogr
Judgment"
That these bold declarations are Nh,
simple truth. Is sufficiently shown by
President .iOhnson's reply TO the Virginia
delegation And YET the Georgia paper
from which We copy Mr., Hills remarks
while marseling al his pluck, SAYS thai it
~ would rather see Georgia a territory
forever than an immediate stale at Lis
price. Georgia viii have chance 10
learn something from this lesson.