The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1861-07-03

The position of the United States of Ameri
ca the Fourth of July 1861, presents an nstruc-
tive and singular contrast to their position
cighty-fvc years ago. Three millions of people
were then just proclaiming to the world their de
termination to be q free and independent nation.
They were rebelling against laws winch they
had no voice in making, and against king who
had contemptuously spurned them coming as
peaceful and humble suppllants for redress to
the foot Of his throne. AS their logical de-
tense, and triumphant Justification, they gave
to all coming time that wonderful Declara-
ton of Independence which contains the sub
lime truths upon which the patriots OF tina
time were content to lay the foundation OF
their anticipated Republic, and which, through
the darkness and storms of many years. through
privations and tolls that tasked the endurance
of the strongest, and through defeats and disas-
tiers that c|ouded the hopes of the most san
guine, went with them, a pillar of cloud by
day and pillar of fire by night, speaking ever
them with it's fair fields, its fruitful vineyards,
its golden peace, and its pure freedom at the
end of their weary journey. They were then
taking the initial steps in that course of EN-
pire which has made this Republic our own
pride, and the admiration Of the world.
And now, after the lapse of almost century,
in which we have grown to be a great, and rich,
and mighty nation, there is again rebellion in
America. Again there is the bitterness of strife,
and the din of war within our borders, though
not as then with people united against foreign
foe, but between hostilesections of the same coun
try warning against each other. A portion of the
Republic have rebelled against the Government
founded upon the principles of the Declaration
of Independence, and in their madness are en-
deavoring to subvert by force the most benef
cent form OF Government under heaven. De-
scendants of those who fought at Eutaw, at
Cowpens, at Yorktown, at Saratoga, at Bunker
Hill, in the sweet name Of Liberty, are to-day in
the frenzy of most unrighteous treason, strik-
ing at the Law, Authority, Order and Beauty
that their ancestors shed their blood to win and
dying bequeA,hed as fair inheritance to their
children. The Declaration, which the Fathers
made, is ted, spit upon, and denounced by
their degenerate offspring, and the lay which
they consecrated and set apart as the Great Ami
versary of the Republic is struck from the calen-
dar by the sacrii gious hands of their wickedy
belious children. The Republic is in imminent
peril, and having called to its aid its loyal sons
il with them struggling for its life.
And the issue to-day is but little differ
ent from the issue of eighty-fve years ago. 1t is
simply, Shall the people rule. or shall corrupt
and privileged arstocracy founded upon caste,
and hating any Freedom except lis own licensed
immunity make laws for the nation The
sword now as formerly, is the arbiter And
we believe that Freedom, will now as then pre-
vail, and that too without wasting blood and
treasure through the painful years OF pro
tracted war, but by short, sharp struggle, in
which the haters Of free institutions ami Re-
publican Government, shall be utterly routed
and discounted. And we hope the war will
b. so thorough, and the victory so complete that
for thousand years the lovers of oppression,
and the haters of the magnificent Declaration of
the Fourth of July, l776, may not lift their
heads throughout all the land. Let each freeman
anew this year pledge his devotion to the Gov
arnment and to the Freedom which is its only
sure foundation and support.
The BATTLE We give such details as We