The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1861-06-15
Mistaken Kindness.

If there is any thing which Government can not
safely be blind to, nor treat with anything but
the most unsparing rigor, that thing must be
treason and if the Admin straton has made
any mistake thus far in the war, it is beyond
question in it's merciful treatment of those who
have been plotting to subvert the Constitution,
and break up the Republic.
The last Administration brought upon itself
the severe and just condemnation OF nearly
every patriotic citizen of the North, because it
dealt so tenderly with the rebellion that was
gathering strength every day under its eyes,
and boldly procaiming its reasonable pur-
poses along the Avenues and in the Departments
at Washington; and the new Administration
has not escaped many just structures for its hes
itation to resort to vigorous and unmistakabe
measures to punish and suppress treason, wher-
ever, and however disguised, it lifted up its
hideous front. 1t is scarcely possible that such
Il groundless and utterly excuseless rebellion as
that against which loyal men are now strug-
Cling, should gather anything but strength
and time and opportunity to mature its plans
and fortlfy its positions by treatment that ex-
hibts on the part of the Government the least
hesitation or doubt as to the duty Of those in
power to vigorously attack it, and stern
ly and unrelentingly punish those in any
way in completely with it, Stern policy
can alone deter those who are hating between
two opinions from openly joining our enc
mics, and is needed, moreover, to encourage
the few in the seeded and doubtful States, who
have any lingering love for the old Union, from
losing confidence in the Government and seek
ing personal safety and protection by joining
those who rebel with impunity, if not with
success.
The Government is PROFESSIONALLY prosecu
ting the war, with as much expedition and as
mu Oh vigor, in Virginia, as is practicable or
or at all advisable, and the country will bless
Gen. Scott for his constant caro- of the lives CT
those under his command ; but whilo he is
sparing of the lives Of the gallant defenders Of
the Constitution who form the advance guard
of the grand army of the United States, a little
shedding of the blood of traitors who hang
upon the rear of. our armies, who infest. Mary
land, and are counted by thousands in Balti-
more, would infinitely strengthen the Govern
ment there, and be wholesome example and
warning to those who are secretly if not openly
in league with rebellion.
Is there any excuse that can DO dignifed as a
reason why Gov. jackson, after having con.
ferred with Gen. Lyon and demanded of hin,
that the Federal troops under his command
should be disbanded, was suffered to be at large
asngle hour to prepare and publish his rank
treason, and mature and carry out his schemes
to carry Missouri by force out of the Union ?
Must loyal men wait till treason arms itself be.
fore men can strike ut it? We trust the Gov
eminent will take more vigorous measures in
dealing with traitors north of Washington
striking at onco and SO unhesitatingly that the
example shall be an appalling one to every man
who las any treason in his heart.