Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-03-26

yidualy.
Upon the other hand, within that range
oil powers reserved to the States land this
includes all the range of local government, }
their power is just as supreme Just as clearly
beyond theinterference of the National gov
ernment as that of the government of Great
Britain or of France. And if this nation
IS to remain intact as nation. this wise
balance Of power that our forefathers es-
tabllshed mus; be preserved. We went
through great war to preserve the nation
al lie, the national authority. the national
power. That is complete and perfect. But
1t Is jcs; as indispensable to the life of this
nation, to It's perpetuity, that we preserve
intact and inviclate 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 Ameri-
| ca; ard il we hold together it will not be
many years before we shall probably possess
all. or nearly all OF it. How can this ma
tional government take care of the domestic
! concerns of the people-their local govern
ment? If everything is to be centralized,
| IT everything is to be brought under the
| hammer of the national government, so
/ that whenever VIC please We can put down
state constitution or state government,
! farewell to the existance of this nation.
| know the strength of party feeling. |
am party man myself. Inever pretended
to love my political opponents as well as
my political friends. l could always make
myself believe ,hey were better men. that
they acted upon better principles But |
never con!d carry my party attachment so
FAR as TO bs willing to oyerturn the govern
ment 10 accommodate my political friends
and, certainly II there were any Of them
= hg~ | ! a
! Tor, | Do EOs think | should select the par
ticular individuals that are c0ncerntd in
this case
know perfectly well the appeal that has
been made to every individual member upon
this HJ0r. have not sat here for the last
two months without seeing these ghosts
that have been mentioned stalking about
this House. | have NOT failed to hear and
see what has been going on. How far these
things have influenced the partisan ludg-
ments Of members | DO not know it l. not
for me t. say; the result of this vote will
/ determine that. But do appeal to gentle
Inen upon this AJor to look at the conse-
qucEces of doing What they are asked TO do.
Ii men are only actnated by party aud par
tisan motives. then ieel that | can appeal
to them. II there i any body on the floor
who Is actnatod by baser motive. | DO not
appeal to hin. 70 any man whose iudg-
mcnt can be Influenced by confederation
lower and blser than mere partisan afec
tion and party aiiiigti0n. have no appeal
TO make. Such men have NJ right here.
Mr.. Speaker, this l. undoubtedly the
astpabiic political act shall ever he called
upon 10 perform. After public life of
sjmewhat unusual length gm about to re
tire u private life. never again, | presume,
to occupy public position. | lever e1-
pected u be called upon to confront 50 mon
,trOus a doctrine - j. advanc ID here. |
never supposed that il lived to the age Of
Metha,elah - would ever be my duty to
combat 50 aUn>trUUs, - dangerous doc
;rine a that which this House is called
upon 10 establish in this case Bat the oc-
c..siOn has arisen IL has fallen 10 my lot.
feeble advocate a. an. = make my pro-
test at least agGius: tins doctrine am
actuated by no o;lcr feeling than regard
iur the welfare of my country and desire
iur IL i1ture pr lsperity | have the same
stake IN the couniry that the people gen
cia.!v have. have children and grand
children, Who hope are hereafter to inherit
their snare ii tll- country, an; desire 1t
preserved flr their sake
Tor myself | an Influenced BY no wish
to wIn a personal or party triumph IN this
matter. /. there had been any reasonable
and tai. ground Gp0a which could have
obliged party friends. | should have been as
delighted to % It a. any body. But could
no. 20 to any such length as we were called
upon 20 % Gh,reioFe, although have been
charged n variety OF quarters wiki max
Ing pretty long advance and stride toward
the Democratic party, ye; it | never get any
nearer 10 II tHan try M to preserye inyiolate
the Constitution, ID not think | snail ever
reaeh tlat llucl ~ ha AesircI rnaI