Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1860-09-15
MISERY LIKES COMPANY.

MISERY LIKES COMPANY
Governor Wise, since being made fully aware
of the foles which he committed in the case of
John Brown, is very glad to find others as cx-
travagant as himself; and he thus congratuatcs
and encourages the Texans in the barbarous
exhibitions of mingled violence and falsehood
which they have recently displayed. Writing
to a Mr. Murray of Texas, he says:
eight all invaders of your State and hang MI Won
catch 1t is time that the slave States were ready
for the revolution which is coming inevitably, with the
purpose to take from them not only their personal
property IN negro slaves, but their political property
in this glad aud glorious Union. Let neither class Of
rights be invaded; fgh first, and don't let the invad
ers seize the power to d>arm you.
Respectfully, yours, HENRY A. WISE"
Governor Wise can have but vague idea of
the true condition of things in Texas, or he
would not have written in this manner; unless,
indeed, having grown desperate, he has lost
proper respect for himself and his State 1t is
not easy to see how he con have any just APP
probation of the state of things in Texas, since
there is no evidence that he has ever visited
that region of country. Many of the people of
Texas would laugh at his idea of hanging abo-
litionists. lie knows but little of the main
springs of action among that people
But one thing is very clear; to wit; that
Governor Wise, as leader, has become very
much separated from the people whose senli-
ments he pretcnds to represent. In giving
such inappropriate advice to the Texans. he is
not expressing the sentiments Of his own State !;
he is merely giving utterance to his own-to
the sentiments of man who is rendered des-
perate by the unmistakabc folly of his position.
lie did, for time, sthe the voice of John
Drown; Out he will find it more difficult to
stare Oft the reckoning for the immense debt
into which he has so necdlessly plunged his
state. The people of Virginia may not like
John Brown much, but they will not therefore,
for this simple reason alone, fall in love with
the eXtravagant measures of their late Govern
or lie must be weak, indeed, to fancy that
the people of Virginia are not capable of
higher effort of reasoning than this.
There is another rent, besides split in the
save-party, now going on in Virginia; it is
rcnt-a division between the people and their
ancient leaders. These leaders have mised the
people; the people are awakening to the fact
and Governor Wise, quick to perceive the loss
of his influence, is seeking support and coun-
tenance away from home, in the State of Texas
In order to hold the people of his own state in
allegiance TO leader-cratt and an old, mistaken
policy, he seeks power and assistance from
abroad. In the face of the exegencies and the
new condition of things of the pre- sent times,
Governor Wise is striving to maintain the log
ical consequences Of the old, efIcte notions of
Calhoun 1t is if he were to recommend the
restoration of monasteries, feudal castles stage
coach travelling, or any other of the childish
things which civilization in its modern robust
ness has pat aside.
Governor Wise says the truth in saving that
revolution SIS coming neruabiy." The in
eyitable crisis is upon us sure; and the Cover
nor, in great furry at its suddenness, rushes
to the South West, the scat of Jacksonism and
Slavery to hurry up the Texans to the rescue
Something must be done, and that right away =.
The crisis must not pass without some ap-
propriate notice of it'll. The event which Cal
houn was so long expecting and straining to
see, should be duly honored when it comes!
In all seriousness, however, the weak and
puerile position now occupied by Governor
Wise, who was once a powerful and influential
political leader, should give us food for grave
dcliberaton. If man of his former mpor-
lance can become so belittled by the influences
of slavery, does it not follow that if these in
fuences are not checked now, they will become
every day more dangerousp Their binding eff
feet upon the people, if not Immediately brought
to stop, may hurry them to ruin even against
their own inclinationS. The christian light of
the present day should show us that slavery is
a Mountaineering power, that will lead peo-
pie to overwhelming disaster-as ii were of the
Red Sea-uncss christian virtues and christian
efforts are exercised with decision and firmness
against it. Will Governor Wise frighten us by
threatening to fight?