Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1861-04-30

The Northern people and press have been in
the habit, for many years, OF claiming that the
South was eminent for its buster. We have
compared them to ourselves in this particular
accomplishment and drawn conclusions, consol-
atory to ourselves, and anything but c0mpll-
mentary to them We have quoted stale
apo,hegms against them, and more than init
mated our belief that barking dogs never
bite" We have posted them Is boosters, brag-
carts, yaporers, and made ourselves at the same
time very comfortable in the belief that we pos
sessud immense strength, inexhaustible resources
and a noiseess, hut unlimited stock Of courage.
We have battered ourselves that our submiss-
ion to them hitherto, has been from Christian
desire to avoid a quarrel, and sort of kind,
parental, indulgence of their childish freaks and
humors BY these ingenious devices, and self
complaocnt reflections, we have generally man
aged to keep up our faith in the superiority Of
the North over the South. III every essential iea-
turc Of our National character.
Theories, however, sometimes vanish into
thin air, when put to the test Of expefimcnt.-
The most credulOus faith is occasionally com
PEELED to give ia to facts. In short, according
to a homely maxim, A." the proof Of the padding
is in the eating" How do we stand now
when the actual conflict has been precipitatcd,
and the two sections stand face to lace in trial
Of every quality that makes National strength ?
For moment, if possible let US look upon
ourselves as we are looked upon by an impartial
outside world The Free States have a popu.
lation OF 10000 900, or more. The Slave States
have population Of about 10000 600 exelu-
syc OF their slaves We believe tho North has
quadruplc the available wealth Of the 500 til
In proportion 10 its population. 1t has album
dance OF bread and ready money and has had
for months. 1t Is full Of the resources which a
war will demand while we still believe that
tho South must borrow its money, and buy its
bread as il can. The homes of the North will
take care of themselves while its mon 90 forth
to battle, while tho South has 5000 900 OF
slaves that need daily and nightly to be
watched and guarded,
The North possesses the Government and all
the prestige and strength which that possession
can give, while the South is compelled to carry
tho banner Of the iOulest treason and the rank
est rebellion. Justice, truth, humanity, libor-
ty, tia hopes of Freedom throughout the would
are with us, while the Rebels are fighting for
the political economy of the dark ages, and the
utter subyerson of our free Institutions. The
sympathies OF the civilized world are with us,
willie they are obliged to face the strongly eS-
pressed indignation OF almost all Christendom.
With all these advantages, what have we
done, and how in the conflict thus far have we
met our own boastldl assurances Of superiority
let us look this ma,tnr square in the face. and
deceive ourselves not moment longer with any
fanoied superiority. We have suffered thcs far
perhaps rrelrieyably, by this same coniidcnc,
in our strength, and the strength Of our Gov
eminent. Let us brush away the delusion, and
lock steadily at L" the situation"
Have not the Rebels outsencmled Us, beater
IA, humilatcd us, at every turn' They wer,
suffered to remain at Washington until the Ne
tropols of the Nation rocked with the ioulncs,
OF their treason. Under the Flag Ioating ovel
the Capitol, they cent forth, almost unrehukcd
day after day, the vile breath of their disloyal
ty. They have taken Fort Sumter, and driver
the Flag Of the Union out Of Charleston bar
Dor. They have compelled tho Government t,
destroy it, own arms and property at the Nav!
Yards 10 Virginia, and tho Arsenal at Har