Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-03-26
Arkansas.

am one of those who believe that in the
sphere Of national government. with those
national concerns that have been intrusted to
the national government, the national gov
erument is supreme, it can reach every man.
believe nothing in this old fallacy about
this being partnership Of states. The ma
tional government, to the extent Of the pow
ers iutrusted to it, lisa government over every
man in the Union and it may reach every
man personally and individually.
Upon the other hand, within that range of
powers reserved to the states land this in-
cludes all the range Of local governmeut)
their power is just as supreme, just as clear
ly beyond the interference of the national
government as that of the government Of
Great Britain or of France. And if this
nation is TO remain intact as 4 nation, this
wise balance Of power that our forefathers
established must be preserved. We went
through great war to preserve the national
life, the national authority, the national pow
err. That is complete aud perfect. But it is
just as indispensable to the life Of this ma
ton, to its perpetuity, that we preserve in
tact and invlolate the power that has been
reserved to the states as that the national
life should be preserved. Why, sir, already
we cover half the continent Of North Amerl-
ca and if we hold together it will not be
very many years before we shall probably
possess all or nearly all Of it. How can this
national government takO care Of the domes-
tic concerns Of the people-ther local gov
crnment2 If everything is to be centralized,
if everything is to be brought under the ham
mer of the national government, so that
whenever we please we can put down state
constitution or n state government, farewell
to the existence Of this nation.
know the strength Of party feeling.
am party man myself. never pretended
to love my political opponents at well as my
political friends. l could always make my
self believe that they were better men, that
they acted upon better principles. But
never could carry my party attach.
ment so far as to be willing to overturn the
government to accommodate my political
friends and certainly if there we're any
Of them that ever knew that wanted to
do it for, do not think should select the
particular individuals that are concerned in
this case.
know perfectly we'll the appeal that has
been made TO every individual member upon
this floor. l have not sat here for the last
two months without seeing these ghosts that
have been mentioned stalking about this
house. l have not failed to hear aud see
what has been going on. How far these
things have influenced the partisan judgments
of members do not know; it is not for
for me to say the result of this vote will
determine that. But do appeal to gentle
men upon this floor to look at the consequence
es of doing what they are asked to do. If
men are only actuated by party and partisan
motives, then feel that l can appeal to
them. If there is anybody on this floor who
Is actuated by baser motive, do not appeal
TO him. To any man whose Judgment can
be Influenced by consideration lower and
baser than mere partisan affection and party
utilization, l have no appeal to make. Such
men have no right here.
Mr.. Speaker, this is undoubtedly the last
public political act l shall ever be called
upon to perform. After public life of
somewhat unusual length | am about to re-
tire to private life, never again, presume,
to occupy public position. never expect.
ed 10 DO called upon to confront 80 monstrous
doctrine as is advanced hero. never sup.
posed that if | lived to the age of Methuso.
lah it would ever be my duty to combat so
monstrous, so dangerous doctrine as that
which this House is called upon to establish
in this case. But the occasion has arisen.
1t has fallen to my lot, feeble advocate as l
am, to make my protest at least against this
doctrine. l am actuated by no other feeling
than regard for the welfare of my country
aud desire for its future prosperity. l
have the same stake in the country that the
people generally have, have children
and grand children. who hope are hereaf-
ter 70 inherit their share in this country, and
desire it preserved for their sakes.
For myself, am influenced by no wish to
win personal or party triumph in this mat
ter. If there had been any reasonable and
fair ground upon which l could have obliged
party friends, should have been as light
cd to do ii as anybody. But could not 80