The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1876-02-08
Speech of Col. Charles II. Joyce.


Mr.. CHAIRMAN The bill now before
the house is an important one, as is every
which calls for an appropriation
of money, and VIC should not pass it uD-
less demanded by the most obvious rea-
sons and urgent necessity Personally.
it would give me the greatest pleasure to
vote for it, but sense Of duty to my
constituents and the country ovorrides
every personal consideration and leaves
me no choice bu, to stand up manlully
for what | conceive 10 be the right.
While cannot consistently with my
sense Of duty support this measure, and
while | would not celebrate the one hun.
dredth anniversary of the birth Of the re-
public by palpable and high-handcd
violation of the constitution, desire it to
be distinctly understood that | am dc.
eidedly and heartily in favor of the cce-
bration and exposition that | fully real
igc and appreciate all its benefits and
blessings and will do all in my power
personally, as | always have done, to aid
and push forward to successful result
what l consider to be one of the most
important and splendid schemes ever in
augurated in the history Of this country
or OF the world
l am not blind, sir, to the fact that the
celebration of this anniversary of the re-.
public "when colonial valor struck from
Ino malIeu preaslpinto IF English oppres.
sion the first living sparks Of American
liberty has now become subject Of
vital concern and absorbing interest to
the people Of this country
Neither am | one of those who believe
that if this appropriation is refused the
centennial celebration will be failure
and disgrace TO the country. believe
the people will nobly finish what they
have begun, complete all the arrange.
ments for the grand opening in May, and
lift and elevate this great jubilee above
all local or sectional influences, give it a
grand and universal character, and en-
dow ii, if possible, with the spirit and
power of the new republic.
This spocious argument, that the whole
scheme would sink in utter failure and
disgrace unless Congress makes an
appropriation, is familiar in this hall ;
it was heard and seen here two
years ago, dressed in eloquence, pathos,
and entreaty; yet, since that time more
than one.half the money then asked for
has been raised under the provisions Of
the charters, the buildings and grounds
nearly comnlnted and there ia no shadow
of doubt IN my mind that, if Congress re.
fuses at this time, as it did then, to be
led away from the plain and beaten path
of duty and the spirit of the constitution
the people will readily supply the means
as l believe they should do, all the ar.
rangements will be completed in duo sea
son and no disgrace will be brought upor
them or dishonor upon tho government.
During the long and tedious debate tt
which we have listened have watched
and waited hopefully, anxiously, but il
vain, for some solid reason or valid aDt
plausible excuse even to justify the grant
ing of this bequcst.
Day after day We have been promised
this feast of reason by the friends Of thi
measure, but it has as often vanished in
to thin air, their promises have beer
broken, and, instead OF putting the bill
upon its merits and supporting it by
sound logic, convincing reasons and Wig
orous arguments gentlemen have, being
aware of the untenablc nature Of tht
proposition, gone off 10 burst Of arti
fetal patriotism and a whirlwind Of pas
sion, and when the dust and smoke causet
by each successive explosion had clearcC
away We found that it was simply "sount
and fury, signifying nothing that, lik'
the gentleman from Indiana who at
tempted to navigate his initiation balloon
through this house against an advcrs
current, they had gone "up like rocket
but come down like sticks"
While | contend, therefore, that th
friends Of this measure have utterly ant
conlessedly failed to adducc good reason
or present single sound argument il
favor of its passage, | propose in tn
brieiest manner TO assume the ofiensiv
and to state briefly some few OF the man,
considerations which have led me to CD
pose this bill.
In the first place, Mr.. Chairman, Will
| have neither time nor disposition to en-
ter into an extended argument upon thi
branch of the subject, cmphatically den,
the doctrine that the constitution, cithe
in letter or spirit, authorizes Congress L
make gift or to loan money to any in
dividual or corporation, for any object o
purpose whatever
| am aware that it is claimed b.
learned gentlemen upon this floor tina
this appropriation is in no sense gift o
a loan, that it is not voted to any indi
vidual or corporation; but the act, al
though carefully if not artfully worde
with a view evidently 10 escape this oil
lection ,conclusively refutos this false the
DRY and expressly declares that this mon
ey is to be paid over in iustallments I
the centennial board Of finance for tn
purpose of completing the centcnnit
buildings and other preparations.
BY reference to the acts of 1871 an
1872, it will be seen that the board O
centennial commissioners and the centen
NAL board of finance were created b
congress with wcll-defncd powers an
duties, the scope and extent Of whic
werc well known, and under which OF
CARNATIONS were duly effected and tn
work commenced and carried forward i
, the most vigorous and prudent mannC
to its present near completion.
Down to this time the government ba
had no part or lot in the matter, has nc
sought or exercised the least control owe
it, and has on all occasions absolutel
and in the most emphatic manner refuse
20 become in any way responsible for il
conduct or liabilities.
Now, after all this has transpircd,
! bill is brought in, and supported by bot