Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1874-07-29


with the early experiences of the school
funds in the Southern and some of the
Western States, will need no other assur
ance that that confidence was not misplace
ed.
The Capitol was rot transplanted. But
when the Democratic party retired from |
control, in 1861, scarcely building belong
ing to the Government was finished. Per-
haps, however, the party would have
avoided that cause of reproach if they had
earlier formed the design of transferring
those buildings to the use of another gov
ernment.
Armies were then maintained. Their
ranks were thin, but they were sumptu-
ously officered-officered far too largely by
those who had been educated in every sol
dierly grace save that of allegiance.
A navy was suffered to exist. But as it
was found a little too loyal to desert its
flag, and little too gallant to surrender
it, when the hour Of national peril arrived,
that navy was scattered in remote seas.
DO-NOTHING POLICY.
The Presidents of those half-forgotten
years were as diligent. by annual and
special messages, to explain why the Fed
sral Government could do nothing, as the
Congresses were to do nothing. Like the
two brothers engaged in the temperance
cause, one of whom lectured on the evils
of intemperance, while the other furnished
shocking example; so Democratic Presi
dents were perennially eloquent in eX-
pounding the impotency of the National
Government, while Democratic Congresses
were rs persistent in illustrating it.
/ The preteXt for this strange sluggishness
was an amiable one. Constitutional inhib-
itions were pleaded in excuse for all omis-
sions They constantly neglected great
national interests, because they feared to
infringe upon the prerogative of States !;
they proclaimed themselves the champions
of States rights they arrogated to them
selves the name of the States rights party.
1t was Il speciOus pretenSe, but 1t was
utterly insincere. So long as our archives
remain, so long that very party will be
known rs the one which struck the foulest
blow at the rights of States which could be
contrived.
That is the party which, on the 18th OF
September. 1850, wrote the fugitive slave
act in the statute book. BY that act the
United States commanded the Federal
courts to multiply court commissioners
; without limit BY that act the United
NANNt
: bounty Of five dollars each, for certificates
that residents of Massachusetts, or of any
other State, We're fugitives from Texas OF
: some other State; and when such Il certi
ticate was obtained, pledged all its forces
. to remove such resident To the State where
= in he was claimed; which made that Ger
: tificate. so purchased, of such hucksters
conclusive evidence of the right to remove
/ and commanded every tribunal within th'
, insulted State to be still, and all its citizen
, to aid the outrage-a statute the very frs
D victim of which was a free man from Penn
= sylvania, who, being declared a fugitiv
t by a tive-dollar commissioner, was trans
e ported to Virginia by the United States
a and finding no man there base enough Il
= claim him, he was allowed to get back Il
5 his own expense.
: In all those wears the national characte
had not been raised an inch On the con
!; trarv, tin ough them all. it had fallen con
It stantly lower and lower.
h When England and France proposed
= in 1851, to Join with the United States IL
e mutual remuneration of all designs on Gu
Y ba. an American Secretary of State did no
t hesitate to asst On rs Il reason for retu>ln!
II to Join such 4 convention, " that 1t woul
o give new and powerful impetus to nj
;. tacks Ion the island of Cuba, by lawles
d bands of adventures from the Unite
IF States. with the avOwed design of takin;
possession Of the island''-attacks which
e he argued, no administration would b
Is strong enough to resist
ii NOPOWER TO SAVE THE GOVERNMENT.
: A government which denied its right t
lG5 aid commerce over the Des Moines Rapid
1 70,
ne trol its own fillibusters. could hardly
It expected to make Il becoming figure whe
confronted with war When, therefore,
" 1861. the standard of rebellion was raise'
p and State after State wheeled detinant
as into the ranks of revolt, it was perhaps n
ri so very surprising that one-half the Dem
Is cratic party Joined the revolt, while tt
al other half exclaimed it could not be resis
IT. ed-not so very surprising that the six p'
ld cent. bonds issued in February. 1861, we
OF sold at discount of six per cent, and n
ne so very surprising that Great Brita
oe. should have proclaimed the rebels to
!: lawful beligerents. before she knew OF
~ had been fired.
o. But it was surprising that n Preside
ry of the United States should address a sp
Is cial message to Congress to persuade Il
y" public that, although the rebellion was
be ieeal, vet the Government had no right
10 suppress it; for by that act he introduce
se to the world Government the like
o. which had never before been seen-a Go
" ernment dgai3aSt which it was unlawful
ne revolt and Jy which it was unlawful
'u' suppress revolt. Such II government
as described nowhere in political histol
tu save in the message of President Bucf
nc nan.
~ Such was the style Of administration
which the Republican party succeeded
Is the 4th of March, 1861. That party W
DIS instructed to but one duty. AS you h
oer never known the National Government
Wo do ANYTHING, you evidently did not exp
d. it to do much You simply commanded
1of to save YOUR Territories from the def
lst ment of slavery; that was all.
Sc THE ORDER oBEYED
The That command has been fulfilled. Th,
hat is no slavery in any of your Territori
zed That will scarcely be denied even by
zen opposition journals. There is just as lii
'lus slavery in any of the States. Someth
ter more than you then thought possible
We been accomplished.
,;ca OTHER THINGS ACCOMPLISHED.
,or- But there is no need to dwell upon
but national achievements OF the last thlrt
was years-they were too conspicuous not
uld have been seen; they are too recent to
hev forgotten. 1t will suffice to presen
ore schedule of the leading events.
At home and abroad the Union was |
9TH claimed to be dissolved in 1861. The Tn
der is restored now.
ON Nine States then claimed to have left
the protection of the Constitution fore'
to They have all returned to that protect
act now. Those that thou gavest me h
ome kept, and none is lost said the Saw
vet of men. The Republican party has
j be served more than the States you conn
ted to its keeping. 1t has found th
which were lost.
LIZ In 1861 the Confederate States