Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-12-13
SLAVERY AND THE WAR.

the mad ambition Of designing political lead
ers the slavehoding states Of the South are
seeking to overthrow the government which
they arc no longer able to control, and in their
mad zeal have staked the fate Of their pecu-
liar institution on the uncertain fate Of a
contest at arms. In that contest the people
Of the North are contonding solely for the
maintenance Of the supremacy Of the consti-
tuition and perpetuity Of the Union they
seek to preserve for themselves and their pos
terity the institutions under which they have
SC long lived and prospered they are con-
tending for the principle that a government
by the people and for the people is the
only true basis Of republican institations.-
The South, on the other hand, have claim
ed that their institution is to them Of great
or moment ,bNn tbe blessings or free gov-
ernment, and have sought to force the whole
country to bow to their dictation, and yield
to them the right to shake the whole poll
icy Of the government in relation TO slave
ry. They have made presidents and selected
'aulHttas tutl nave hau cohIpl OF Doth
houses Of Congress, and enacted such laws
as would best suit their own Purposes; they
have had a majority of the supreme court,
and had the laws of their own making cor
strued in accoi dance with their own views
in fact they have held almost unlimited sway
in the country. But for a time their control
Of affairs has been brought to an end by the
voice of the people and when they find their
former prestage taken from them they turn in
revolt upon the very government whose poll
cy they have so long dictated and for what
For no other reason than that slavery is not
in the ascendency. The people have declar-
ed that slavery is sectional and that freedom
is and ought to be the national policy Of this
government.
What speedier way then Of putting down
the rebellion can be devised than striking a
blow at the cause Of rebellion so far as that
cause may in the least strengthen the hands
Of the rebels; They have themselves brought
the war upon the country by setting in de-
fance the laws of the land, and refusing obe-
dience to the constituted authorities, and are
endeavoring to bring it home to our own fire.
sides and all for the sake Of slavery. The
clear and unmistakable duty Of the govern
ment then is to put its hand upon the cause
Of the rebellion, and, so far as the rebels are
interested, remove that cause. BY their own
act they forfeited all claims to protection for
their lives or property-have forfeited their
property, and made it subject to be confscated
to the benefit Of the government. Their
slaves they claim as property claim the
right of which we of the North have never
conceded-and so far as it aids them in their
traitorous work, so far it is property to them.
Let them be treated as any other property (;
let them be taken from the possession of the
rebels and treated by government as will best
tend to a speedy and cfFectua termination of
the rebellion.
Already public sentiment in the North de-
mauds that slaves shall be treated like other
property, and made subject to confscation !;
and this demand comes as strongly from
those who have hitherto defended the " pc
culiar institution" as from those who have
been lifelong opponents of it. Up to the
breaking out of this rebellion, Gen. Butler
could never have been accused Of abolitionism;
yet he and host Of his hitherto pro-slavery
democratic brethren have discovered that slav-
are among the most Jealous advocates of the
eonfscation of the slaves Of the rebels. Nor
/ is this feeling confined to the North, but is
fast growing in the border slave states. A
has been introduced into the legislature of
Western Virginia, and Kentucky is ready to
follow in a like movement, and who shall
dare to predict that the final emancipation of
the slaves may not yet be brought about by
the loyal men of the slave states to protect
themselves from the oppression and tyranny
that is grinding them to the dust.
Congress, too, has taken hold Of the matter
with a new impetus, and it is more than pro-
bable that at its present session an act will be
passed to carry out the unmistakable will OF
the people in this matter The Administra-
ton of affairs Of the District of Columbia are
to be rigidly scrutinized, and a nation will be
made to rejoice if it shall result in the total
extinction Of slavery within the boundaries
of the District. We believe that our repre-
sontations are ready for the work, and surely
the people will say amen to IT,
The rebellion must be put down at iohatever
cost and if we shall come out of the contest
united and free people, few will bo the men
to count the cost Of blood and treasure that
will have been sacrificed. Such a result is
unmistakably indicated in the events now
transpiring and while the work is being
done, let it be done once and forever.
| New YORK CITY.-lt is with no little
pleasure that we receive the announcement
by telegraph of the defeat Of Fernando Wood
as candidate for recollection as mayor of New
York. Mr.. Opdyke, the successful candidate,
is the first republican mayor of New York,
and his election will be received as guar
antee that that city is true t, the Union. and