The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1861-09-05
Slavery in a Bad WAY.


The difference that has been manifest in tn
treatment Of the rebellion by loyal men an
loyal papers, from the outset, -although 1t
now fading ana growing less distinct every day
had its origin unluesionably in the diferen
views which had been held by the same mer
and presses before the var in politics. 1t is I'm
questionably true that for the last few years
and certainly within the last year, the grea
mass Of Northern voters have been less widely
apart in their honest convictions OF the evils
politically ana morally resulting from the in
stlution Of c,iattel slavery in this Republic,
than could be fairly inferred from their political
associations, their partisan speeches, and their
equally partisan press. The necessity cf hold
ing diverse views on this question in order to
keep the North separated at all politically, has
forced many lucn to utter and advocate mild
treatment OF sayeholders and slavery which
Was in rca ity abhorrent to their real conyic-
tons, and has divided and weakened the people
upon an issue upon which they were really
nearly united. And the presses and the poi;i-
clans, when the war commenced, seemed to deem
1t still necessary in order either to save their
reputation ioT consistency, or their party from
dlsntegration and annihilation to keep u this
partisan difference whenever the beet Of sla-
very was alluded to. And SO they have always,
in setting forth their views respecting the ne
cessity, and the methods to lie pursued, for
vigorous Prosecution of the war asains: the
Rebels, colorc1 their reasons and their defni-
lions with the tints Of their former preiudces,
Or mixed and coniounded them with partisan
ideas and party shibboeths. While agreeing
that tn ere should be vigorous war. they have
quarreled respecting its origin, and wasted
much valuable time and labor in accurately de-
hning The precise course to be pursued in its
progress, one extreme insisting that it must be
so carefully conducted as to do no possible dam
age to the institution Of slavery, while the op-
posite extreme insist with equal feryor that the
war should have for its chief end and object
the destruction of that internal institution.
The political conventions that have been held
in this State and elsewhere have found this Sla-
very question almost the only cause of differ. :
ence between the great mass of Northern cleo. I
tors, and have by refnements of phraseology. I
and subtleties of expression attempted to still
keep the Northern mind divided upon it; and
have distracted and weakened the patriotism of f
the Country BY Improbable and useless discus t
'lons respecting the precise constitutional wav t
IN which treason ought to be put down, without !.
disturbing State Rights vested rights, inaliena- a
Die rights, or any other kind of rights that c.
lain the protection of the great charter of our Is
Liberties. -
We believe, however, that much Of this diff. -"
renee OF opinion, or of expression, in regard to u
ne method to be pursued BY the Government Il
suprteSslns treason, has its origin in an hon VI
st conviction that Slavery co. chow is 90 ledg- T.
about u the guarantees Of the Constitution D;
hat it must no: be meidlel will. in any way W
kept to teIrotected from injury by anv Of III
nc accl1ent5 ct the war, and to be insured q +,
ale issue out Of il. Slaves seem to be looked Oh
pom as species Of property entirely different in
ON horses and cattle, and to enjoy sneciaI u
immunity from the disastrous results Of the re-. 40
eliion as held, in short, by kind of sacred SUI
nuEe that even the most fragrant treason will on
o' justify US IN dissolying. This opinion. cr
hereYer it is honestly held, las been created r.
I'd strengthened by political teachings AMI mar
prejudlces, both before and since tho wor tia
ID Is the curious result Of the persistent efors to
the avocates CT slavery to establish their doc qu
me that slaves were-not more sacredlv nron. wa
ty than horses and cattle-but Just as mncb Ris
they have insisted upon this with sncb dev
damnable iteration" that many have emo lsn'
nesdy to suppose not only that slaves were hea
op6rfy, but property of such peculiar ma tina
re that the Government could not in anv con- is II
vable legitimate way make them ANYTHING NO!
property. '' ~hi
It is from this cause that many loyal men is r
'e SO often protested against any interference the
h slavery in this war, and have given 4 IN
btfnl and distrustful assent to the action Of sem
L. But Ter on cotrabands, and the recent proc- and
Ition of Gen. Fremont confscating the ala 70 ests
is pa