Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-04-12

ho AANNh9 HttH"tJ oVUFHut thuS sets
forth, day or two since, what it believes to
be che policy of the Administration in regard
to secession
" We believe that Mr. Lincoln, and the able men whom
ne mas drawn around him Cabinet will consult but
uing VIZ: the greatest good " the greatest number
lie will offer no resistance ndamo passion; ojyo-
"t'o e'fher Of coyd OF sum 70 those u oar cottryneR
fotodrd rs but he 'ciH ggv alone the of'uo branch Of
pc1cc.
and TINT such policy rH lead 10 acb n result the be-
hcf Of The masses Of coi0trymcS. God bless every
Executive action which tends toce the people that
such the object and aim Of the Government and God
speed Che day when shall celebrate the restoration
peace 10 an parts Of this great and glorious milton. The
all that North and South claim will receive Gire as
at once peace, and all else wiH toiloio"
The question as to what should be the pol .
icy Of our Government in respect to the Sc
cession movement attracts much attention -
1t is evident that the issue is rapidly APP
preaching, and the policy must be peace or
war. 1t is also clear that the rabid parti-
sans Of secession and the rabid partisans of
the North have both thrown down the olive
branch, and taken up the gauntlet. For diff
iereut reasons they clamor for the same policy.
The one aims to strengthen slavery, the other
to overthrow it, and TO sustain their respect
i've theories they are willing to plunge the
nation into the horrors of civil war Between
these extreme partizans, stand the great mass
Of the people, we believe, North and South.
The country is not ready for civil war on the
issues which are already made up. The prin-
ciples and Institutions Of despotic govern
ments may be preserved by force but the poll
icy by which free institutions arc 70 be pre-
served, under the circumstances which now
present themselves, must not be taken from
the example of States which are built on force
France, Austria, Russia, would put down
such a rebellion as is now going on in our
country, by policy which necessarily grows
out Of their political institutions They have
immense standing armies, and the security of
their institutions rcposes upon absolute and
concentrated power. But are monarchical or
despotic governments to indicate the policy
which a republican government should take
when large mass of the people seek to throw
it off Rather should not our policy grow
out of and be consistent with the nature Of
our peculiar institutions; Must itnot be de-
termined by principles unlike those upon
which the same question would be decided in
other nations; And what is the popularity
of our government which should in the pres
ent case determine its policy; Our Union
rests upon the consent of the people
Our government rests upon the principle
that the people have a right to determine
their own institutions that the people have
virtue and political integrity sufficient to gov
ern themselves, to maintain their constitution
and laws, and to guard against self-destruc-
ton or the invasion Of foreign enemies. Is
this principle correct2 We have never had
any opportunity of testing it till now. And
now shall we try the policy of the strong
red-hand, or the policy of republican princi-
pies Shall we enforce our constitution by
the principles of absolutism or by the prin-
ciples of popular government?
If we may trust the principles of the
Inaugural and the general course of the adj
ministraton thus far, the policy of the gov
eminent is to be that Of peace. We trust it
will continue to be so. 1t were better that
our national troubles should be ten years in
being settled by the operation of the natural
principles of our government, than that they
should be settled in one year by war. In
fact they may be hushed, but they cannot be
settled by war, By civil war the very foun-
,datons of our free institutions will be shaken
and destroyed. They can never recover the
shock of remedy so hostile to their very
idea, to their very principle. But peace and
the popular voice may settle the difficulties
At least, these hold out the only hope of a
settlement and of the salvation of the whole
country. And these only hold out any hope
! that, should secession be successful, the old
/ government and the old Union shall continue
to exist and expand on their ancient prnci-
pies of popular liberty. Providence, patriot
ism, the logic of history and events, the
principles of republican institutions, all cry
for peace, peace Secession, dsunion and
partisanship cry, ,Oar, mar Which shall be
the policy Of our government;