Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1861-02-08
THE WAR FEELING.

/ properly, preparing lot war anu assu'h'
ing an attitude of defiance, is working
very rapid change of feeling in the
free States. The first idea, even among
a very large portion of the Republicans,
was concession and conciliation-to yield
even very large portion Of all we have
been for years contendiug for, to keep
the peace and preserve the Union. But
as the plot has been developed, and as it
has become daily more and more appa-
rant that nothing short of making slav-
cry paramount will even be taken into
consideration by the rebels, and that
these secession movements have been
planned and maturing for years, waiting
a favorable moment for execution-that
in South Carolina at least, and probably
elsewhere, the slavery question is only
the pretext, while other and very differ
ent reasons lie at the bottom-the opin-
ions of men of all parties have been
gradually dropping Cancellation and hard
ening up to coercion, till it wants but
little more Of provocation to unite the
whole people of the free states into one
solid column, determined to treat the re-
cusant states, be the number more or
less, as rebels guilty of treason, and to
employ their whole force to bring them
back to duty. if the government had
remained in the hands of traitors, there
is no question but that the portion of
their plot which contemplated the
capture of Washington would have
ben carried out, and thus the last
blow would have been struck which
would have kindled a civil war without
precedent in modern times. Happily,
that blow has been averted the cabinet
has been purged Of traitors, and their
places filled with men who, it is believed,
know their duty and will fearlessly per-
form it, and who, it is hoped, wiIlstrength-
en- the knees and stifen the backbone of
the "Old Public Funetionary." For
these reasons the nation breathes easier,
not only the whole people Of the free
states, but the real majority also of the
slave states, whose voices are hushed for
the moment by a reign of terror which it
was supposed could not exist out of
France. We now feel that the Union is
safe-not for the present moment, per-
haps, but ultimately safe. How long it
will be before the old order of things will
be restored, no man can say; the seces-
sion fever must have its run like any 9th
er epidemic; but that it will come to an
end in time under the reformed practice
of the present administration, and the
better, wiser, and frmer one that will
presently succeed it, we feel quite as con-
ident as we did Of the folly and the end
Of the late panic in business affairs. And
because we have this faith we deprecate |
The growing feeling of hostility toward I
The seditious states. Whatever the ma
ional government requires of us, in men !
Or money, for enforcing the laws, uphold
ng its dignity and preserving the Union,
let US yield with alacrity, not with feel
ng of hostility to the South, but for the
general good of the whole natiou-not
with the desire to coerce and conquer,
put only to defend and save.
Whenever secession takes place the
mob law will rule, and the time cannot
De far distant when-with our aid, if
needed, but, as we trust, without 1.-THE
majority in those States will shake off
his tyrant, and return to their allegiance.
It is to be especially borne in mind that
hese movements are not made by The !
rue conservative men of our sister states
their voices have not yet been heard
n the storm; if raised at all, they are
drowned in the loud screams of lawless
'abbe rendered insane by the fiery elo-
Iuence and unblushing falsehoods of as
bring traitors nor let us blame this
,abble too much, knowing as we do that
heir zeal is only exceeded by their igno-
.anee, and that they rely implicitly upon
he leadership of men who, by their own
confession have been twenty years plot
Jog the treason they are now practicing. J.
Whatever of wrath we must nurse, let
t be for these traitors-none Of it for
hose they have deluded-none Of 1t for
hose who are true at heart, but power
ess for the present. Civil war we
must not have, or certainly not by our
wn volition. The Government will
tand on the defensive, performing its
unctions as far as possible, defending
iself from all attacks enforcing the rev.
nue. laws, and protecting the government
but marching no troops to COM
,el the submission Of any seeding
tate keeping the door OF Cancellation
vide open, showing its own superiority
yer mob rule, and holding out every
for the return of our recre-
mt friends so soon as their delusion has !
assed away.-BostoH Journal. u