Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-05-03
THE MADNESS or TREAsON-sLAV-

THE MADNESS or TREAsON-sLAV-
ERY.
Secession has ripened into war: war a.
gainst the Federal Government is treason, un-
less successful. is death. What are the
grounds for conduct that may lead to such an
end Wore it oppression, we might dignity
rebellion an patriotism. But the South was
not oppressed All the laws in force at the
date Of secession were laws for the most part
Of their own making for, with rare cxcep-
tions. The policy of the government from the
beginning has been controlled by the South.
These laws ha1 protected and benefited the
South for seventy years, and even for the fu-
tpre there was no reasonable ground for dis
trust. The political party, which sympa-
thized with the South, controlled the action
Of both the Executive and Congress, and the
judicial power was exclusively in their hands
and faithful to their doctrines Why throw
away the advantages they held. and all secur-
icy for the futurea 10 was radncss.
Security for the miuro that is the main
point. We know the secc-sionists claimed
that there is no security IN the future that
abolitonism .tueir name for Republcanism)
is to come into power and that no guaran-
ties could be strong enough TO protect the
South. But they had guaranty stronger
than party it was the Federal Constitution
They had even a stronger than the Consttu-
tion itself 10 the justice and friendship of the
Northern people, and in all the ties Of COM
merciai, political and social relations which
bound the North and the South together
The South had the security Of a common con-
siitution Of interest and Of friendship They
attempt to throw them all away and for the
future seek go security but in cashing gov
ernments, interests and institutions. That
is madness
Slavery has been made the occasion for trca-
son, because OF denial of IFS extension and
fear Of its extinction without new and inn
possible guarantees. And what IS the future
promise Of slavery: 1t cannot be extended
beyond the limits Of the Southern Confedera-
cy, except by purchase or oonquast and the
seeding states are too poor far the first aud
too weak for the last We think they are
binding slavery 60 their own limits--contract-
ing rather than extending the area Of slavery,
and with no promise Of advantage or profit.
A century oi peace will not make good the
losses Of a war and dissolution Of the Union.
It is more than probable that the cotton states
will forever lose the control of the cotton
trade Of che world. With war on hand and
regular business interrupted the cotton crop
must suffer. Perhaps the production viii
lall 20 half crop, or even less and the man
uiacturers Of Europe win be forced to supply
themselves elsewhere. South America, AZ
rica. aud Asia viii be s,imulnsel Co supply
them, and henoetorth and forever King Cot
tor" of the South will have TO step from his
throne and work for living. Slavery viii
"pay less than ever. Treason Is desper-
ate experiment for slavery. Whatever be the
result Of the present contest, whether the
Federal government shall bc maintained or
the Union di4solved,--we see n9 prospect of
advantage TO slavery, but quito the reverse,
meut; and since slavery was the occasion Of
the crime it is quite likely it will be the means
ofpunishmcnt, Not by forcblc abolition, for
the Government takes its stand simply on the
Constitution and the laws, aud sill not tram
scoud them. Az least until martial law super
sedes the civi, power, and that will not be till
the last necessity comes, the army can't bC used