Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1866-02-16


In going into the recent rebellion or insurrec-
ton against the government Of the United
States sou erred. anl in returning am free 90
say that all responsible positions and places
ought To he confined distinctly and clearly 10
men who are loyal. If there we're only five
thousand loyal men in q State, or q less mum
Der, but sufficient to take charge Of the poliii-
cal machinery Of tie STATE, those FIVE thou
sand men, or the lesser number, are entitled 10
II AMI all the rest should be excluded look
upon il as being fundamental that the exercise
Of political power should be confined 20 loyal
men, and regard it implied N the doctrines
laid down on these resolutions and in the elo-
q1ent address by which they have been accom-
PANEL. | may say that, furthermore, after
having passed through the great struggle in
which we have been engaged We should be
placed upon much more acceptable grounds in
resuming relations 10 the general government if
uumistaksbleand unquostionably loyal men were
presented to I'll the places Of power. This being
done / feel that the day is not Distant speak
confidently in reference 20 the great mass OF the
American people-when they will determine
that this Union shall be made whole and the
great right OF rspres entatiOn in the councils Of
the nation 10 acknowledged. Gentlemen, that
IL the fundamental principle. mo taxation
nrlnel-
pies which carried Us through the revolution.
This great principle will hold good yet; and if
We but perform cur duty, If we but comply With
the spin; Of the resolutions presented 10 me to-
day, the american people will maintain aud
sustain the great doctrine upon which the gov
eminent was inaugura,ed. 1t can be done, and
will be done, and think that if the effort be
fairly and fully made with forbearanee
and with prudence, and with discretion
and wisdom, the end j. cot very far Off
When the States which seeded and their people
shall have complied with the requirements Of
the government I shall be in favor Of their re-
sumiug their former relations. DO not intend
to say anything personally, but at the opening
Of the recent gigantic struggle between the dit
ierent sections, North and South, there we're cx-
IRENE men North and extreme men South. This
great government was kept on the anvil and
hammered during the rebellion, and has been
hammered since the rebellion. and there seems
TO be a disposition to continue the hammering
until the government i destroyed. | have op-
posed that system always. | oppose it now
Tie Government in the assertion Of its powers
and in the maintenance OF the principles Of the
Constitution has taken hold Of one extreme,
and with a strong arm Of physical power has
put down the rebellion. Now as we swing
around the circle Of the Union with a fixed and
lnaltered determination to stand by it, we find
the counterpart or duplicate Of the same spirit |
hat played to this feeling and these persons in |
he South. This extreme which stands in the
way must get out of it. The Government must
stand mistaken aud unmOyed upon its basis
This Government must be preserved. But | /
rope that all the people Of this country, in good
si;h and IN the fulness of their hearts, will, /
lpon the principles which you have enunciated
lere to-day for the maintenance Of the Union,
ay aside every other feeling for the good Of the
ommon country. aud with uplifted faces to
iesven, swear that cur gods and our affairs
nd all shall sink in the dust together rather
ban that this glorious Union shall not be pre-
sryed.