The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-11-29
Prayer for the President.

Our aching hearts now bleed to see
What rebels we have been.
Prayer for the President.
The central bond of national unity in this
day of conflict, the main link that holds US
together as one people under one govern
ment, is the President of the United States
in his official character, as the representative
of Constitutional order, the personifcatiOn of
the national will Commodores and generals
may be removed by resignation or displace-
ment members of the Cabinet may volunta-
rily withdraw from official service, or retire
before the pressure of public opinion; but
above and behind the army, the navy, the
Cabinet, the President remains as the Con-
stitutional head of the Government, whom
nothing but death can displace for the term
of four years. Though he should disp lace
alike his own constitutional advisers and the
commanders of fleets and armies, he alone
cannot be displaced by any power without or
above himself. Most important is it, there
fore, to the tirmness and persistency of the
people in a war for the support Of Govern
ment. that their confidence in its Executive
Head should be decided and unwavering :
and that the President should so discharge
his arduous and responsible office as to COM
mand that confidence in every emergency.
We have constant cause for gratitude that
the President is man of unimpeachable per-
sonal integrity and of unquestioned patriot
ism. He is the tool of no party, the abettor
of no private schemes, the agent of no con-
spirator against the purity or property of the
national Government When in these re-
spects We contrast the present Administra-
ton with the last or with either of its two
immediate predecessors. We should give
thanks to God continually that, bv the eleva-
ton of Mr. Lincoln to the Presidency, We
have been 50 far recovered from the abyss of
official corruption and treachery into which
the nation was plunged.
We have cause for thankfulness, also, that
the President is man of moderation and
selt-control, not driven by passionate i'm
pulses or stubborn resolves, but whose ad-
min:stration of affairs is regulated by con-
scenc;ous regard for the Constitution and
the laws. If any are disposed to think him
overscrupulous in this respect, ard liable to
be hampered by an excessive conservatism,
let them reflect what mischief Jackson, with
his native impetuosity of temper, his military
ambition, and his arbitrary and imperious
will. might now infict upon the country. by
claiming to control all the conduct of the
war, or by turning the popular enthusiasm
which daring spirit eNcites, to his personal
advantage and the consolidation of his pow
er. Already, with domiciliary visits, the
Governmental supervision of the press, the
regulation Of the polls by military orders
the seizure of letters and kilograms, the con.
tiscation Of suspected property, the suspen
sion of the writ OF Habeas Corpus-with ev.
cry act and measure which we have been ac
oustomed to decry as the despotism of Aus
,ria-instituted and acknowledged as neces
sary for the defense of liberty, what might
not bold, bad, brilliant man, capable O
awak ening martial enthusiasm be able to ac
complish for his own aggrandizement ant
the overthrow Of popular freedom? Ir
these most critical times, let US give Goo
thanks that cur Chief Magistrate is not tn,
Prince President" of the Tuileries, ready t
vault to an imperial throne.
But while thus grateful to God for thos,
characteristics of the President which are
pledge of honesty and safety in the admins
tration of the Government, we should alsc
pray continually that he may have wisdom
courage, and tirmness equal to the crisi
through which We are passing. Since hi
. word can make and unmake generals, de
clare or revoke their policy, encourage o
. depress the national spirit, how much nee,
he has of that wisdom which is from above
, Especially should those patriots who desir
to see the country delivered from its chiefes
: crime and curse, pray that the President
whose acts and words at any moment ma
| open the door Of the house of bondage il
the South, may have wisdom to see the fit
ting opportunity for this great deliverance
{ courage to seize upon that golden moment
and frmness to execute the great decree c
, Providence in the cause of freedom and right
p eousness. Let none who are accustomed t.
pray forget that on the eve Of assuming Office
| President Lincoln asked of his countrymen
e remembrance in their prayers.--Sew Yor
t Independent.
A BRIGHT SENTINEL.-At one of the camp
on Staten Island, new recruit was place
on guard a few nights since. An officer wish
!, ing to be satisfied that that the recruit under
9 stood his duty, walked to the post and pass
ed by. meeting with no resistance or objet