Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-05-24
gadtcbman s. State journal.
by e. p. WALTON.
MONTPELIER, MAY "a. 1861.
THE REAL ISSUE.
ny r. p wALro


who speak as II they would rejoice to have
atrocities more barbarous than sepoy cruel
tics rc-onactcd on the wives, daughters and
children Of the South. There are those who
would seem to be inspired by all the diabol-
cal spirit Of civil war, and who, instead Of try
ing to save by this terrible remedy, are only
anxious to destroy, and 10 make the destroo-
tion terrific and universal. With a savage
zeal they would inhct the last outrages of
war, the fearful ravages Of hate and lust, on
the iunocont and the deienceless, Upon such
barbarism the curse Of the Almighty must
rest. It has no elements that ally it with
justice, mercy, or love. 1t is unadulterated
demonsm. Let us not be inhuman let us
not confound innocence and guilt; let us not
forget that we are fighting not more against
Southern rebellion than for Southern loyalty.
The old Constitution covers US al not a line
or a comma has been changed IT SHALL
Bg MAINrAiNED, says the President; and he
has called upon us, by virtue Of our alleg-
ancc, to defend it, Now shall we trample
the provisions Of that Constitution undor our
feet Engaged in defending it, is 1t cur pur-
pose to overthrow it; No We of the North
arc loyal to the Fundamental law, and the is
sue on which we grid on our swords and
muster our squadrous for battle, is not to
drive home upon the South the recognition Of
our theory Of slavery, or to deprive her peo-
/ pie Of their reserved powers If the seeded
States should to-day return to their allegi-
anoc, it. next month, or next year the people
in them should rise and throw off their rebel
leaders, aud take their rank again in the
4 lines Of the Union, under our Constitution,
who can refuse to accept them; Who
would cut them OF from the Union This
would be disunion again and if persisted in
b., force, would be as vorily treason, on our
part, the present course Of the secession
lists. Tho national Government would be
compelled to put down Northern treason, if
ever it shall come in such shape. Still
again we say--the Union and the Consttu-
tion. shall they be maintained: This is the
true issue. The Government cannot make
any other without transccndiug its poweis,
and it is worse than idle for us 10 think Of
any other Infinitely worse than idle for if
the North separates from the Government on
this question, Government will be at an end,
the Constitution gone. and the Union forever
blotted out
The Constitution is our King, and to main
tain It's supremacy is the grand and absorbing
issue before us We will maintain it, and
when VIC shall have restored its rghtfu SOW
ereignty, this nation will not so much as tole-
rate, for the next five hundred years, any sem
tmcnts that tend to its subyersion, or that
look to disunion or separation as an end to
be desired, or as remedy for political evils.
; CaIhounism and NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. trea-
son to the Constitution aud Northern infdel-
ity TO twill be buried in common grave.
In seeking this grand issue, in conlending
for the Government and the Constitution, We
are simply resisting treason. II slavery allies
p itself with treason, it will necessarily share
lis fate 1t depends upon the attitude Of the
south, and the cxigenccs Of the case what is
to be tho incidental effect upon this gloomy
institution II the war is universal and pro-
+ tractcd if the Border States throw all their
influence into the scale against the Govern
p mcnt, and draw the line between the Slave
. and tho Free States, then all Southern prop
5 erty will be insecure aud subject to oondsca-
ton Wero the South to succeed in estab-
, fishing that line, IT would only relieve the
4 North from all responsibility for slavery, and
r. speedily turn the Border Slave States to Free
It States But for the present this question of
slavery is silent As was well said by the
Anti-Slayory Standard, it is in the hands OF
God II lie designs to destroy the iustitn-
tion, He will accomplish it. 1t may not be
N through the malice of its enemies but rather
e by means Of the madness of its friends Let
e us stand by the Constitution, Il in uphold
t ing that slavery is killed, then its destruction
,win be laid at the door Of its unconstitutioo-
y al robellious and suicidal friends. The South
d will itself bear all the responsibility.
- g-g' BY letter received here last evening
a from Private J. NJ. Stone, we learn that the
j. First Vermont Regiment has reached Fort
T. Monroe They had rapid aud pleasant
At voyage, though some Of the boys thought
Il that on the next trip they should take the
= dry land steamer However, none OF then
threw up their commissions. For these they
will go through fire as well as water.
-.----
!. TO A heavy slide from the south bank o
80 the Vermont and Canada railroad tunnel al
y, Burlington on Wednesday evening, buriet
y, some five or six of the Workmen, and killed
10 Peter Hart from West Rutland.
MEErING OF THE GREEN MoUNTAla
as BoYs.-Tho meeting was called to order ag
81 grecable to adjournment by Capt Burnham
+, The order of the War Department for the en-
,g rollment of the Volunteers for three year
Id was read, followed by remarks by Captain
Burnham in explanation of the delay relatIv
ne to the enrolment of this company by re
gular commissioned officer. The meeting ad
to iourned to await the further order of tn
in War Department when each member will
,"' duly warned.
re- AnDN Iennn goafv