Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-02-18

NJ wiser or wittier speech has been heard
IN the house for many years than that of the
Hon. Martin !. Townsend Of New York.
upon the centennial bill. 1t was g perfect
rebuke to the insolence Of Mr. Hill, and ii
was distinct announcement to that gentle
men and his friends that although they may
have ''cOme back into the Union TO STAY.
they have not come back TO rule The
gayety Of the speech, its wholesome humor
and its kindly and friendly spirit did not in
the least conceal the clear perception and the
resolute conviction and determination Of the
speaker. The undertOne was one to wnieh
every generous and loyal American heart
responds. Indeed, there cannot well be found
a more characteristic and admirable express
sion of the feeling and purpose of the domi-
nant party in this country than this speech
of Mr.. Townsend's. There is no vindietive-
ness of feeling, no rancOr, no desire 10 re-
call the war for the sake of elimination, no
feeling but a hearty wish for concord but,
also, no fOrgetfulness Of the fact, of our his
tory and of human nature, no doubt of the
absolute justice OF the cause of the Union in
the war, no question Of the infinite natio nal
dishonor and degradation wrought by the
long ascendency Of the Democratic party a
profound contempt for the old-iashioned
slave holding insolence and the northern sub
servienee 10 it which have reappeared in the
Democratic house, AMI an equal sc0rn Of the
hne-spun quiddities OF - strict construction
ists.' 1t was constantly interrupted by
laughter, but the blows were none the less
shrewd and incisive. Mr. Reagan, of Texas,
interposed with some remarks upon the awful
suffering in that State. But Mr.. Townsend
is breeder Of cattle in Iowa, and part Of
his family is long resident in Texas, and he
very soon showed that be WIS not the 50 wild
Yankee" that Mr.. Reagan supposed, but a
man who knew very distinctly what he was
talking about. Turning to Mr.. Tucker, of
Virginia, who had spoken Of strict con-
struetion, Mr.. Townsend, jackson Demo-
crat in former wears, punctured and pricked
and dssipated the airy absurd;ties of strict
construction with knowledge and skill and
hunor that were irresistible. lie exposed
the ridiculous tergiversations upon this sub
ject Of Calhoun, the father Of ssrict con-
struction. He cited The fragrant instances of
departure from the pl lnciple upon the part
of southern Democratic politicians, winding
up with the conduct Of the strict construc-
ton confederates, some of whom went out
because their states went out, and some of
whom went ont because their states didn't
90 out ; and with the behavior of those who
denounced the issue of greenbacks as un-
constitutional, but who Just now in con-
gress-" the entire confederate phalanx, the
whole body Of notwithstanding strict con-
structionists-marched up as one man to
The inevitable deadly breach, and voted for
greenbacks." Mr.. Townsend concludes
and he is justified by orr political history
that 50 if strict constructionist wants a
measure to succeed, it is constitutional, and
if be does not want it, it is unconstitution-
al And then he told the story Of the
lrishman's horse and the CHAMBERS, at which
the house roared.
He continued BY considering the further |
objection Of Mr.. Tucker that the United |