The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1920-07-15

mont into extraordinary session. no
for the purpose Of debating. consider
ing. deliberately on the question a
issue. bat with a majority Of its mem
bers pledged beforehand and in pri
vate, as understand it, 10 ratify IN,
proposed amendment
If the people Of Vermont, in ac.
eepting place in the Union Of States
inadvertently lost in whole or in part
the right Of self-government and con.
ferred il on a Legislature, there is all
the more reason why a Legislature
should not pass upon question which
has risen since their election and upon
which their constituents have had no
opportunity to express themselves.
"The people are the supreme gov
erning power of the State, and the
Legislators, under our Constitution, are
their representatives and responsible
to the people, yet il is now proposed
that their Legislature take action
without the sanction Of the people and
in direct invasion Of their rights
For this reason, am calling 10 the
attention of the voters Of Vermont
this all-important proposed change in
our Constitution II may be forced
upon us by the action of other states,
nevertheless it is our duty to know
what the attitude Of our senator's and
representatives is upon this subject
and to elect men who represent cur
wishes.
Candidates for the Legislature Of
1921 should be required to declare
their position on this subject without
delay.
ut is evident from the reading Of
the Constitution Of Vermont that
when the trainers OF il accepted in
1891 a place in the Union of States
they had no idea that they were sign
ing away liberties which had been
boldly proclaimed and zealously
guarded up TO that time.
"We must now either remodel our
own Constitution to conform with the
mandate of the Supreme Court of the
United States, or the Constitution of
the United States must be amended to
provide for a referendum to the free
men of the several states before
to that Constitution be-
come effective. As it stands and is
Interpreted by the Supreme Court to-
day, the Federal Constitution threat
ems the foundation of free popular
government.
"The seventeenth amendment pro-
yiding for a Federal income tax, was
obbied through Congress and the
State Legislatures by Federal agents.
rhe eighteenth amendment for Fed
.ral prohibition was forced through
Congress and the State Legislatures
~ a powerful and irresponsible or
operating through paid
lgents with unlimited funds. II is
low proposed to force through the
amendment for woman
outrage in the same manner and also
the sanction Of the freemen.
Il have been ased to overlook these
considerations as a matter Of party
but this is a matter of
,rinciple, not expediency, and the
,arty that invades a well-established
of popular government will
uffer in the end.
"Our Constitution was framed to
insure our liberties, not to prescribe
hem. 1t means what it says. The
ights of the people Hereunder must
e maintained. | will never be
arty to any proceeding which pro
oses to change the Organic Law OF
he State without the consent Of the
eople.
II propose TO go and come as my
uty calls me, both within and with
ut the State of Vermont, and if any
ther state officer sees fit, regardless
( our fundamental law and his oath
D support, il, TO take action contrary
} the terms of this proclamation, he
ill do so on his own responsibility !
nd be answerable to the freemen Of /
40 esu.an