Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1861-06-21


claims the right to resist its laws. We nee
make no nice distinction between "a unio
OF States and " a union of the people of tn
States Concede what | think bistor
would requIre-that the Federal Union is
union of States originally inderendent an
sovereign, 1t does act establish the assertion
that the Federal government is no govern
ment. 1t does not Justify robbery of FeIera
property. Il does not hallow tie violatio,
of the Federal oath Nor does it sanctio,
the purpose to destroy the Federal constitu
ton.
The theory of secession does not rest upoI
the mutual annulling of a mutual compact
1T implies that the government estabishe,
upon the Federal compact is bat fiction
1t would render the name Of our goycrnmGn
even less significant than those royal titles o
the English sovereign who is sustained anC
defended by the laws which her subjects
enact, and whose life would be in peril i
she attempted the exercise Of royal power.
Still, some may ak, . Would not prin-
clplc dictate the REIMBURSEMENT of Federal
rights for the sake Of peace" Yes, but not
the Abandonment OF Federal duties. Oul
| government has undertaken, and it cannot
rightly disown, duties not merely towards
the loyal States Of the North, bat towards
the di9loyal States Of The South, and towards
! the world.
Already have We seen rebellion budding
into anarchy. The same theory which
sought the destruction Of the Federal gov
ernment has been used in advocacy Of tac
! destruction of State governments.
The principles which we now advocate,
when established, Will become the security
Of our Southern brethren az inst anarchy.
| Should we grant them the pTiCMgg Of rebel
| lion, it would be received by them as their
| right, and the course of our government
would establish ii proc,d mt under which re-
bellion against republican rulc would al
ways be strong
But We have q duty to the worliwhich we
dare not forget. Those principles OF rcIub-
lican liberty and republican rule purchased
by the blood Of men who valued thcm more
than life, have been given to our nation as u
trust for us to guard in behalf o! the world
The establishment Of our Tree institutions
was hailed by friends OF freedom throughout
the world as marking a new era IN the pro-
grcsS of mankind. In the growing prosper
ity of our people, nations struggling with
long established tyraunics beheld the prom~
ise of what they might attain. In lands be
yond the sea, the eye Of many a despOndinS
patriot has looked TO the banner of our ma
ton and his heart was animated with new
hopes and strengthened for new ClJrts.
Foreign statesmen have made our Institutions
their study: and partly at least through our
influence a lrecr Character has been given 10
many enactments of governments which we
have called despOtic. Friends aud fees have
with the most intense interest looked 70 see
Us work out the problem (hitherto thought
sell-cJutradlctory) OF a free government.
We have been accustomed to think of our
selves as having a trust from God to the ma
tions Of the earth and now in this time of
our peril this conviction is stronger than
ever. The interest VITA which our nation 5
history has always been watched. has now
| reached its highest pitch. The impor-
tance to the world 0t our course was
never SO great as nOw-Our mission TO other
nations never 50 sacred as now. Now We
! are to test the vitality OF the principles
| which We have long proclaimed. Now we
are to show whether republican institutions
can have stability, and whether republican
! government can have existence except in
/ in name We dare not undo the work "
! former years and turn back the tide of hu-
man progress by proclaiming to the world
! that all our boastinS has been yain,and that
! a republic is not a government.
! The war in which we are now involved Is
| a holy war, not crusade for the recovery
| Of deserted sepulchre than which every
| Christians grave Is more sacred, but war
whose end is to keep this land the living
temple rather than the burial place OF those
principles Of human government which we
! believe to be most i'm accordance with the
will of God.
Yes, we may rclinQuish our rights. e
must not abandon our trust.
Ia conclusion let US only remind ourselves
that this sad duty OF war We must fulfil like all
other duties with the two lold spirit OF idel-
ity and of confidence in God.
That motto of the iuyincible puritan
| soldiery of England d" Trust in God and
keen YOUR powder dry - though its blunt
ness sometimes provokcS a smile Is iuii OF
Christian sense and Of Christian faith Our
confidence in the righteousness Of our cause
should occasion no negligence. 80 our dill
cence to fulfil our commission should not
tempt us to trust in man.
The conditions of success in this as IN
every duty are zeal in our efforts and faith
in God.
Let IL give Of our property a. It Is Eeeucu-
Let US not withhold from this work those
whose souls are knit 10 US by the strongest
ties of kindred Let US rather send those
who shall most surely be attended by oul
PRAYERS. LIT fathers, sons. brothers, nus
bands % and fight; let US devote ours s'iVe'
If need be to tins cause.
Let us not fail to commend our cause e.
the God Of battles, and may lie dclend the
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