Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1866-06-13
JUDGEPoLAND's SPEECH.

this week the Calm anu "oio oP0eeh
Judge Poland, delivered in the Senat
June 9th. We hope the speech may b
widely ditfused, and we shall next weel
try and give it entire. We select tn
concluding portion, and Recommend gu
readers to imbibe its hopeful and states
manlike ideas.
1.-THE remaining propositions of amend
ment, declaring the sacred and inviolablt
character of our national obligations, anc
the illegality and invalidity of the robe
debt, and of any compensation for thu
slaves who have been freed, admit Of nc
doubt az sound propositions in themselves
The only question that can be made upon
them is the propriety or necessity of In
cooperating them into the Fundamental
law For myself, think that although
these may in certain sense be said to be
matters of temporary character, still
they involve interests of such immense
magnitude that it is proper they should
be settled in the most solemn and endur-
ing mode, and that their incorporation in
to the Constitution will save disputes and
wrangling hereafter.
"Mr. President, it has been said that
all these proposed amendments, as whole
AS q general plan for the restoration of
these States, will not be acceptable to
them, and that they Will not adopt them,
or at least that they will not do it will
ingly; and if they adopt them at all it
will only be under coercion and because
they cannot otherwise obtain what they
seek and that we have no right to Sc
cure even the proper amendments in that
way.
at seems to me that this plan, as a
whole, is characterized by SO much mode
ration and forbearance that it cannot fail
to commend itself to the people of these
States so that they will readily and free
ly give it their sanction But. sir, if it
be true that they are not satisfied with it,
and will only adopt it to secure their re-
turn share in the national power | am so
well satisfied that this plan contains moth.
ing but what we have a right to insist on,
and which justice to the nation requires,
that | should feel no hesitation in saying
kindly, but firmly, "You must acquiesce
in these amendments before we will per-
NIT you to take part in the administration
of the General Government"
"There is nothing new in this either
Did these States accept the amendment
abolishing slavery willingly "a much
more important matter to them than any,
thing contained in these propositions ?
Did they declare their ordinances of Sc.
cession null and void or declare the rebel
debt willingly? We know they did not,
but only because the President required it
of them. Has any one ever blamed the
President or thought he was unjust to the
South in these requirements If the peo-
pie of the nation through their represent
atiyes, believe that something more sho'd
justly be required, they have the equal
right and should exercise the right to de-
mand it.
1--WE should not exercise our power to
make any unjust demand, but what ie
just and right to exact we should be
wanting in our duty if we fail to have
done.
"Mr President, it is matter Of great
satisfaction to me that at last, after SC
much and 80 anxious deliberatien, it ap
pears SO probable that Congress will b.
able to agree. and especially when as 0
whole this plan at once commends itsol
so well, to my own judgment, of what il
right.
E. ut is quite we'll known that some diff
ferences of opinion have existed between
Congress and the Executive on this grav,
subject
"Great differences have existed among
ourselves; many opinions have had tc
yield to enable us to agree upon plan
If we arc so fortunate, as | trust we sb al
be, to pass these propositions by the re
quisite mojorities, all propositions by tn,
requisite majorities, although they MAJ
.ol