Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1861-09-13

christian
and patriotic love Il is a war of duty, be
cause in the light Of christian civilization
no nation can commit suicide withou, The
preparation Of cowardy AMI atrnc'ou.
crime, and that nation does commit snicid,
which surrcnders its life up to an enemy
from which manhood and courage could
save T. (Applause.) 1t is war Of duty
because we have no right 10 bear our faith
ers' names, AMI insult anil degrade theil
memories by giving up the instiIntio s won
by their blool TO be trodden under the feet
Of traitors. 1t is a war Of duty, because
we have no right 10 bestow our names up-
on our children stripped of that grand in
hertance which rightly belongs to them
4 and for the transmission OF which we are bu,
the appointed agents Of these illustrious rnen
( who won il with the sword and with their
lives. (Appiause.) 1t is war of duty be-
canse, devoted as We profess to be, to law
and order, and al the highest interests of
/ civilization, there presses upon us an ur-
\ gent obligation to rebnke aud clastise this
enormous crime which is being committed
because it is rebellion not only against
US but against the very race to which we
belong.
1t is finally war Of duty, because we
have assumed to ourselves, as a people. the
special championship not only of the right,
but of the capacity of the race for sel-gov-
ernment; and that assumption has been ac-
cepted by the lovers Of freedom everywhere;
and now, with the nations Of the world
looking down upon us, as from the seats Of
Aras 4, ~.
to suffer this sacred and sublime cause to
be stricken down, and crushed upon the
battle fields Of the South and to perish
there, amid the scotfs and jeers Of Kings
and despots. Applause. How anxious
y and confidently have they predicted this
day How they have longed for its com
ing In this essential antagonism of their
institutions TO ours and in the abhorance
which they feel to that system of govern
ment which gives the honors and fortunes of
the earth to the toiling millions who are the
architects Of both, how glad would each
one Of them this day baid monument 10
the skies If lie could only inscribe upon it
these words -" In memory of the great
Republic of the United States. founded bv
Washington, destroyed by Toombs, Twggs,
and Floyd" What a recorl for humanity
would that be! Fellow citizens, do but
utter the truth which is painfully present
10 all minds, that the disloyaity which is
found in our own midst, especially at Wash
ington, and in the border States, has been
fruitful source Of disaster and Of discourage
ment from the very beginning of this unfor-
tunate struggle. This evil has assumed
proportions of such magnitude that its
correction has become a paramount duty
upon the part Of those charged with the
Of the Government. Its
prevalence has been marked by all those
treacheriee aud excuses whch have been
its unfailing characteristics in other lands
and in other times.
Next the worship Of the Father Of our
spirits, the grandest and the strongest sen
timent Of which our nation is susceptible /
IS the love of our country When that
sentiment has been corrupted, ike an arch /
from which the keystone has been displaced,
the whole moral character seems to tumble \
in ruins. The public and the private pro I
digacy Of traitors and spies, both male and /
female, has been vouched for by all history .
aud indeed it has grown into provero that
the man who will betray his country will
oetray his God" Great Applause He
viii betray his friends, his kindred, and, if
need be, the very wife of his bosom and
children of his loins
Suppose that you lived in one Of those
.ities where there is a steam ire-engine
md paid company TO operate it and sup
hat 4. IL. !
company was summoned to the spot and
we're vigorously engaged in extinguishing it;
md suppose that you discern, from time to
ime, men creeping out from the crowd and
ticking their knives into the hose. from
Which the water is seen 10 spout forth in all
directions upon the pavements Of the street
low long do you think the presence of such
niscreants would be endured But suppose 4
hat, looking more closely into the faces Of
hese men, you discover that they are men,
ers Of this fire company, receiving the sal
ry 10 which you have yourself contributed
n the first burst of your Indignation would
ou moi feel that their punishment world not
e too great if they were thrown into the
ames which they were thus indirectly feed
lg? And yet this has been precisely the ,
ondition Of the Government of the United :
tates. A voice. That's fact" That I
as been, from the commencement Of this :
.rugele, its precise condition. | know
lere are those who look yith more toera- ,
on upon these offenses which pretail !
mong US than | can possibly do. Per- !
aps am too harsh; but must say this :
lat the men who in our own midst give c
ID and comfort to the enemy, either By t
iraishipg them secret information or, by f
lvertisiag their cause, or by striving to
w discussions among ourselves, or by / h
dissuading loyal men from enter !,
g the military service, are more yitally Il
&c foes Of our country than if they were h
the army Of the Confederate States. r
Applause. The power Of the Govern
enl can do much 10 correct this evil, but I,
uch more can be done by the crushing e
'wer Of public opinion branding as infa- il
Gus, socially and politically, disloyaly n
heneyer and wherever encountered a
Applause. These men are, morally, at "
ast guilty Of the death Of those who fall al
defense of the Government, just as much q
if they had met item upon the battle tc
I'D with the deadly weapons of war. IN
,ur rsilroad cars, upon your steamboats,, ii
your thoroaghfares, in every business and q
eial, circle disloyalty should be branded q
ID blasted as a leprous and loa,hsome thing. D
Great applause. And, therefore. my c,
lends, when yon see these men. be it up T.