Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1861-02-21
Signs Of the Times.

Present indications are that nothing Of i'm
portance will be done, either by the so.called
Peace Congress, or by any other Congress,
towards the settlement Of difficulties, until at
ter the inauguration of the President elect
If there shall then sufficient dissatisfaction exist
to demand Convention of the States in a
constitutional way, such course will I'M
doubleday be adopted as the only legitimate
method of adjustment.
1t s. ems to bc'pretty well understood that the
Crittenden plan cannot succeed, and measure
less objectionable to the North has been
brought forward in the Committee of States,
by Mr. Guthrie Of Kentucky, and by a small
majority adopted. 1t is, however, thought to
be doubtful whether it can pass in full Conven-
ton. The objection to the scheme is, that it
proposes to throw the shield of the Government
around the institution of Slavery in territory
south OF thirty six thirty, thereby making it
the creature of the Nation as well rs of the
States.
Several things have transpired within the
past week, that indicate more favorable flu
ture, the most significant OF which is, the de-
eision of the people of Tennessee against
true Jackson metal is still left in that State,
and the bold stand taken by the intrepid John
son against secession, treason and plandr, has
had its effect, by giving 40 900 majority for the
~ Al.
with this triumph, VIC should not forget to mem
ton tho name OF Etheridgo, Of the House of
Representatives, who has stood mantuly for
the right and dealt heavy blows upon the enc
mics of our common Country. We regard
this triumph tho more complete, because it is
an unconditional condemnation of secession and
disunion in any form
The same jackson seed is still left in Mis-,
souri,, and has been 50 long nourshed by the
laucnted Benton, that when the test comes in
that State, notwithstanding the secession ele-
nent manifested in her Senator's AMI Represen-
tatiy.s, we believe she will show herself loyal
10 the Constitution, and true to the Union.
We have much confidence IN Kentucky, but
regard Virginia as the most dangerous Of the
border States. She has, to be sure, just elected
Union Convention, but it seems to have been
done under protest, The greatest rascal of the
whole batch claims the Old Dominion as his
home She has elevated him to high positions,
and now gives him aid and comfort under the
pressure of hls present difficulties. We, OF
course, mean ex Secretary Floyd. Then there
are your Masous, Hunters, Priors, Wises, and
host of other influential men, educated in the
Calhoun school, and just as faithful disciples
as Rhett and Yancey. The influence of these
men, if not directly for secession, is in favor of
measures so obnoxious to the North, that they
know tho ultimate result will be against any
satisfactory adjustment. But thanks be to
God, the eyes of tho Nation arc now being
turned from the gloomy results Of secession to
more encouraging prospects. The President
elect, with honest purposes in his heart, and n
whole soul devoted to his Country, is now en-
route for Washington, to assume the duties OF
his Office. In two short weeks he will be the
acting as we'll as the official President of the
United States. On his tour thus far, he has
been greeted with the enthusiastic acclamations
of his fellow. citizens in all F.. Ivy all
parties, and tho responses that he has made to
their repeated calls, demonstrate that no is not
only the man Of the people, but for the times
He will assume the duties Of his Office under
such circumstances as never did y President be-
fore. and il he succeeds in bringing order out
OF chaos. as he most surely will, the thanks of
Nation, the gratitude of an admring people,
and above all consciousness Of an honest DIS
charge of duty, Will be his rich reward.