Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1861-10-11


yoked. BY all the memories of your f,-
Tiers, who founded This Republic and de-
livered to you the precious heritage; and
by all the sentiments of gratitude for the
good you have enjoyed beneath is pro-
tecting care, you are summoned 10 its de-
fense. Defense did say? 1t is with NOR
tlficalon that utter the word but you all
know the truth.
The rebel conspraiors have set upon us,
and now besiege the national government.
They besiege it at Washington, where are
/ the President and his Cabinet and the ma
tional archives. They besiege It at Fort
Munroe on the Atlantic. at St. Louis on the
Mississippi, and now they besiege it in Ken
lucky. Everywhere we are on the defensive.
stronsholds have been wresied from US.
Soldiers gathered under the folds of our ma
tional flag have been compelled to surren-
der. Citizens, whose only offense has been
their loyalty, have been driven from their
homes. Bridges have been burned. Rail-
ways have been disabled. Steamers and
ships have been seized. The largest Navy
Yard of the country has been appropriated.
Commerce has been hunted on the sea. and
property, wherever it can be reached, ruth
lessly robbed or destroyed. Only within
few days we have read the order of one
Buckner. rebel commander in Kentucky,
directing the destruction Of most impor-
tant lock, by which Green River had been
rendered navigable. Pardon me if read
this intercepted order. 1t is instructive, as
showing the spirit with which this rebellion
is waged:
BowLINe GREEN, Sept. 1901.
Mr.. George ". Triiptea:
My Dear Sir: Yours is received Lock
No. l must be destroyed. | rely upon our
friends of Owenborougli to do it. Not an
hour must be lost. Its destruction is a great
deal to me in crippling our adversary. As
serible our friends, without delay, in sufli-
cient force to accomplish the object. One
of the best ways is TO open all the gates
but one, and to dig down behind the wall
at both gates TO put one or two kegs Of
powder behind the wall, apply slow match,
and blow it into the lock. If possible il
should be done in such way ms to leave
strong current through the lock, which will
empty the dam. Provide everything in
advance. Do not fail. 1t is worth an ef-
fort. Signed] S. H. BUCKNER.
1t is still doubtful if the work of destruce
tion was accomplished according TO this reb-
el order. But the spirit is here shown
which would sweep away one of The most
valuable of the internal improvements of
Kentucky, part of the pride and wealth |
of the State.
Do you ask in whose name all this has
been done. The answer is easy. Not " in
the name Of God and the Continental Con-
gress," as Ethan Allen summoned Ticon-
deroga but +" in the name of slavery"
Yes; in the name of slavery has all this |
crime, destruction and ravage been perpe-
trated, and the work is still proceeding.
Look at the war as you will, and you
will always see slavery. Never were the
words Of the Roman orator more applicable
Null,tm facinus ertiit nisi per te.; nulium
flogitun' sine te. Slavery is its inspiration
Its riidtive-power; its end and aim. 1t is
often said that the war will make an end of /
slavery. This is probable. But il is surer
still, that the overthrow of slavey will at
once make an end of the war.
If am correct in this statement, which |
believe is beyond question, then do reason,
Justice and policy all unite in declaring that
The war must be brought to bear directly on
the grand ccnspirator, and omnipresent en-
my. Not to do this, is TO take upon our
selves, in the present contest, all the weak
ness of slavery. while we leave to the reb-
lis its boasted resources of military strength.
Not TO do this, is TO squander life and treas
Ire in vain masquerade of battle, which
,an have no practical result.
Believe me, fellow-citizens, know all
he imagined difficulties and unquestioned
responsibilities of the suggestion. But if
lou are in earnest, the difficulties will at
'nce disappear, and the responsibilities are
uch as you will gladly bear. This is not
he first time that knot hard to unite has
'een cut by the sword and we all know
hat danger fees before the brave man. {
believe that yon can, and you can. The
gil only is needed. Courage now is the |
ighest prudence.
II is not necessary even, according to q
amiliar phrase, to carry the war into Afri-
a. II will be enough if we carry Africa I
ITO the war lin any form, any quantity.
ny way. The moment this is done, rebel {
on will begin its bad luck, and The Union l
ill be secure for ever.
History teaches by examples. The oc
lsion does not allow me 10 show how COM
letely this monitor points the way. ! con- b
mt myself with two instances: of special "
ark-one from ancient Greece and the n
her from ancient Rome. G.
The most fatal day for ancient Greece
as the defeat at Cheronaa, when Philip il
Macedon triumphed over forces ia which c'
'emosihenes wis enlisted rs soldier. d.
H