Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1861-09-27
Fremont VS.. Lincoln.

States. 1t accords with their sentiments
1t does not meet the appreciation OF the
administration which deals very tenderly
with human contraband property OF reb-
els, but very rudely with all other con-
traband possessions. So MIR. Lincoln is
trying to clap an extinguisher on Gen.
Fremont. We apprehend that tits can
not be done. The particular objection to
the proclamation of Fremont is that it
does not accord with the recent con6sca-
ton act of Congress, There is mig
ger in the fence" too, and were it not for
this no such serious difficulty, we presume,
would have arisen as has now sprang up.
The proclamation does not accord with
the act of Congress. Well, what of that ?
Silent legeS inter arma, is a recognized
principle in conducting war Wellington
said, "a General in the field must not be
hampered by politicians he must be the
Judge of his own position" Gen. FIRE.
mont by his proclamation suspended, to
a certain extent, the operation of the laws.
lie put above all civil enactments, mar
HaJ lar. lie did not publish his procla-
nation as civil executive officer, but as
| a General, acting in accordance with we'll
established rules of warfare. Thus act
| ing, he has not transcribed his powers.
( He has not gone beyond the acts Of
American shve-holding Generals in time
of war. H. has followed the precedents
that have met the approval of the Pres
ident Of the United States and Of Con-
gres5. in freeing slaves. He has done no
more than has been declared to be legit-
innate by the most learned and most re-
spected American statesmen. He has
done this while wrestling with a most
vindictive and formidable foe that does
not hesitate to steal, desoIate, and murder
wherever he may. The most perilous
exigency forced him to take the step and
strike the blow that will fatally injure the
enemy. But the timid and hating ad-
ministraton cannot justify the act, cannot
fight fire with fire. The popular heart
beat quicker when that proclamation was
issued. 1t will refuse now to withdraw
its sympathy rom the gallant General.
The people will refuse TO retreat from
the position which has been taken.
What is the reason that such discrimi-
nation is made in property in confscating
it? If a rebel has cash the government
has no scruples about selling it. If trail
tors have bank stock, houses, or lands in
the free States, there is no hesitation
about confscating them. If they have
ships in our ports the federal officers take
them, though they be not used against
the government. But If one of these
diabolcal traitors owns man, and does
not use him against the government, he
is secure in his possession Of him. Fed
cral officers will neither modest him or
make him afraid of losing his chattel.-
Or two active rebels, one may own a ship
in New York it will be confscated.-
He may own stock in a bank in Pen
syvauia, or real estate there; the gov
eminent will pounce upon it if it may
find this out. The other may be plant
er and own slaves just as long, accord
ing to President Lincoln, as he keeps
these slaves at work and does not employ
them against the government in this war
they will be untouched by the govern
ment, More than this, if during the
progress Of the war, the rebel master
runs off from some regard to his person.
al liberty that he thinks in danger, and
then the slaves, from some regard for.
their own personal liberty, attempt to
make their way to freedom, the federal
government arrests them and holds them
safe for the master, setting up a barrier
between the slave and the goal that he
seeks. This is simply damnable. 1t
may be law, but if it be it is outrageous
law. The rules of warfare are kinder
to the bondman than the enactments of
Congress. We believe there is nothing
just in this discrimination. 1t is a mis-
taken and heartless piece of political ex-
pediency. Ii is trucking to slavery
where trucking has proved fatal to the
government. 1t is groveling when grow
cling has been spurned. The people of
this country have arisen above it. They
cannot be dragged down to it. Let there
be one rule in respect to !he treatment of
rebels let there be one unvarying law
which shall be sternly and unsweryingly
enforced.
But the sentiments of the border States
must be respected, it may be said Are
they for the Union or not? If they are
not We should not respect their wishes.
If they are for the Union they cannot
bring any rational objection to treating
The slare property of rebels like other