The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1856-06-21

gamblers, and shoulder strikers, OF whom
they intend to free the city. Their watch
word is REFORM
4 SOBER SECOND TmOUGmT.
In the prOcreSs of this second mOmentOus
struggle for political freedom. it is impor
tant to distinguish clearly between what is
mere passion and feeling, and what is truth
and duty. One may lead wide of tie true
end. the other never can. Were it defen-
sive warfare. and were the State aroused to
drive back the invader and assert its sover-
eighty, then all prejudice and passion which
could he awakened could be turned into most
active instruments Of defense The old and
rival powers of England and France are an
example. But ours is a brotherhood, bound
together by the strongest ties of blood, in
tercst, feeling and common nationality. To
sever these or in any way disturb the AMIGA
bic relations which should naturally exist, by
blind passion, or unfounled prejudice, or
vague and indefinite rant and fanaticism. on
" widens the breach between them and pre-
vents the probability of a just settlement and
understanding. The feuds of Scottish no.
bles were kept up for centuries, spiiling the
best blood of Scotland. preventing the Pur-
suits o: the arts of peace and Of mora! and
religious culture, and shaking the very foun-
datiOn of civil power.-and all for the lndul-
gencc of some whm.some arbitrary and head
strong passion which had no foundation in
principle and truth. We are panied to see, in
both North and South. so much of bomhast
and bravado buster. exhibited in windy Ia
rargues and incendiary resolutions. 1t is an
excitation OF animal passions which taunt,
jcer and hurl defiance at each other without
defining the principles Of Justice or deter.
mining the line Of duty for either to take. /,
is very probable that students who meet a,
Columbia, South Carolina and the Tn;ver-
sitv of Virginia. and pass resolutions and
make speeches are ust As patriotic and earn
est as those who do the same thing at Yale
and Amherst Each looks wonderfully in
consistent to the other: and when we hea,
groans in the one we expect to in the other
"a process but little this side of blows and
altogether devoid Of candor and truth. An.
course which simply excitcs feeling, howev
or strong, does not reach the end. 1t boil:
furiously for the moment. then subsidies: tn.
work remains still to do--the great work of
en!i.htcninc conscience. educating opinion
clearing away the rubbish, and calmly an,
clearly presenting the issues as they are per
ceivcd by true and logical judgment an'
borne out in fact Convictions of truth thu
apprehcnded by the moral and intclliccn
citizen, become convictions of duty; AM
when the former is seen and felt. the latte
will be done: and not for an hour, through
excitement: it will be an earnest life battl,
for right When the feelings only are en-
listed they NAV prove treacherous but whcr
the conscience has become alive, and the I'M
derstanding convinced hv an intelligent an
prehenson Of the ease, then the issue is pre-
sented in clear and tangible shape 1t be
comes, in that light, plain and di>inct--thrr,
can he no successful retarling-no settin.
bad example-no recrimination- indefi
nitPnesS-nO uncertainty.
! Here the case lies in the full sunlight OF
truth. 1t may enlist feeling, but it will b
guided with judgment and directed with pru
drnre, and made strictly subject to the higl
moral convictions of truth and duty. From
such an issue there can be no escape. BE
fore such a sense Of duty no man can finch
The question is thus rescued from party o
faction or section, and is placed in the lish
Of moral principle which no man can dodge
II takes the torn of individual responsibility
and must be met.
Thus. stript of its embellishments, come
the great political question of to-day to tn
judgment o. every citizen. To each one
addresses itself Will Won dodge it as dem
acogne? Will YOU magnify and distort
as fanatic? Will you ignore it as a par
tizan or, will YOU meet it as man?
We have made these structures upon
certain policy pursued both at the North an
South because We feel they are just, and tina
there is most important principle involved
We wish to go into the struggle with clea1
hands. But it brings US to another class a
the North to whom we have word to say
There is a class-small to be sure, but no
without infuence-call,ng themselves Con
servatives. who are still voting for DAME
Webster, weaving imaginary broadcIotl
firm protective tariff sheep starving in tn
vaults Of national bank, and who would no
leave a moment to quench the fires Of Law
renee or dress the wounds of Sumner. The,
feel that all is not right,-but then they can
join the Aboli'ionists. But can't you fin
where the wrong is; on which side, and pro
vide remedy? Can't you vote With an ab
oitionist when he votes right Can't 70,
JON TO do battle even in defense Of you
ccuntr,. # al the soldiers arc not in Uni