Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1868-01-23
THE RUTLAND HERALD
TUESDAY. JANUARY 81. lsOs.
Gen. Meade and the Georgia ton-
yeution.

cen. Meade and the Georgia ton-
vention.
The firm position taken by Gen, Meade
since he assumed command of his milf
tary district, and the prompt manner
which has Characterised his removal OF
State officers who have thrown obstacles
in the way of the progress of reeCastrue'
ton, commend him % the loyal people of
the country, lie has not disappointed
those who knew him as a man and sol
soldier; but his appointment in the place
Of Pope led many TO distrust his opinions
and they We're suspicious OF the eours" he
would pursue, thinking that he was per-
hsps but another tool in the hands OF
those who would have the rebel rather
than the loyal man rule in the South
But how wofully disappointed are the
parties who looked forward TO an admin
istration Of affairs in Georgia similar to
that Of Hancock in Louisiana, The firm
and determined action OF the hero OF Get
tysburgh has given the country confidence
that justice will be melted out To the dis
loyal, and that the weak and feeble will
have protector who will look well that
their just and equal rights shall be given
them under the constitution and laws OF
the country. Without enumerating fur
Their the position or acts of Gen. Meade,
we present our readers with his brief and
concise address, delivered before the
Georgia Constitutional Convention on the
10th inst.
Mr. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN OF
THE CONVENTIONAL appear before you
to-day in compliance with the courteous
resolutions you have been pleased to pass,
inviting me to seat upon your floor.
came here principally for the purpose OF
returning to YOU in person my thanks for
the kindness and courtesy indicated by
your resolutions. At the same time il
appears TO me that this is suitable occa-
sion for me to state to you, and through
you to the people of Georgia, Alabama
and Florida, certain points in regard to
what conceive to be my duty in the POI
sition assigned to me by the government
OF the United States. am assigned to
the position now occupy under a law OF
Congress, by the direction of the Presi-
dent Of the United States and the Secre-
tary Of War. My duty is to execute a
law which has been passed by the Con-
gress Of the United Statss. As a soldier.
conceive that have no right to question
the validity Of the act from which derive
my powers, nor can | permit it to be
questioned by those under my command
There Ii proper course IL be pursued in
testing the validity of all acts, but am
not the agent for that purpose. The ques-
ton arises=xhat- are my -dnties- under
this law In the words of the law it is
TO protect all persons in their rights
OF person and property; to suppress insur-
rection, disorder and violence, and to pun
ish, or cause to DC punished, aN disturb
ers Of tbs public peace and criminals" and
when this cannot be done through the |
proper functions of the civil officers, then |
the law makes it my duty to assist these
officers and afford the proper protection,
and this duty shall be faithfully and hon
estly performed. Furthermore, the law |
requires that an opportunity shall be Civ
en- to the people of Georgia, Alabama and
Florida to say whether they will accept
the constitutions which the oonveations |
OF their respective States may fra,ae. My |
duty is 10 see that "all the registered and |
qualified electors in the State have an OPP |
portunity to vote freely without restaint, |
fear or infence of fraud" SO as to enable |
ynenn to state whether they will or
will not accept the terms offered.-
Now, that duty shall to the bes. of my
ability endeavor to execute. Your duty, |
gentlemen. which you are called upon to
perform, is to frame constitution and
OWL government for the people of Georgia,
and, if accepted by the people of Georgia,
then to be submitted to the Congress OF
the United States. | trust that, as Mill
tary Commander, we shall cooperate rs
TAR as may be necessary. do not see,
however, that there is much cooperation
necessary. Your duty is specified and
mine is similar do not consider that
your ordinances, within the limits of the
acts necessary for the discharge of the
duties prescribed by Congress, are to be
enforced by me pending the adoption OF
the constitution but conceive the powers
with which am invested are sufficient TO
authorize my adoption Of any of your acts
ss my acts, in case, in my Judgment, the
well being of the people imperatively re
quire such action on my part; and among
such measures | have under consideration
the relief laws as prepared BY you
In conclusion, | beg you will pardon SC
much reference to myself and actions
But coming among you as l do stranger,
never having been in your State before |
except passing through as a traveller, il |
has occurred to me that this plain express
sion of my views as to my duties and de-
termination to ronscienciously discharge
the same, would serve, perhaps, to remove
some of the obstacles that might other
wise be placed in my way. | trust, gen
tlemen, you will proceed to frame a con-
sttution and frame civil government
which shall be accepted to the qualified
voters of Georgia. 1t is not my duty to
dictate' to recon mend, or to advise; bat
l reel Justine. in counseling moderation,
ana earn@ ,tly hoping that wisdom, calm
ness y. id reason will govern your proceed
Ny =, again thank you most sincerely fol
your courtesy.
CoLoRADo.--It is expected that the
Senate will soon take up the bill reported
from the committee on Territories during
L. 60 ao.r.,,. % Ia ,roaapt Enp,rnsS