Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1861-02-14
For the Herald.
THE GREAT STRUGGLE.

Nations as well as individuals have their |
sys of prosperity, and also 0. adversity. |
There always Is time in their history when |
there seems to be turning point in their ca |
reer and progress. The anpals Of the past |
prove that this assertion is true. Not a ma |
tion has existed since the world began that |
has not been subject to revolution and change. |
When we consider that differences of opinion |
have always existed among men, and also that |
there is so much pride and vanity IN the hu- |
man heart, It will not seem so strange 10 Us
that there are times of great excitement, and
even of strife. Reason teaches US that the
contending principles of right and wrong
cannot long subsist together. 1t requires only
the peaceful course of time TO decide which
shall triumph. The wild political excitement
that now prevails throughout the Union, and
the contest OF parties tor the success Of their
principles, are sure proofs that there is now
in progress mighty struggle IN this nation
1t is a struggle perhaps the most important
since the Revolution, and in great measure
will decide the future destiny OF our country.
What are some of the staring events that are
now transpi.ing around US? What do We
now behold in this our boasted land OF free
| dom ? We see in the southern portion oi
| our Union the work of a rebellous mob,
rebellion against our government and our
| laws: we see armed bands Of traitors, more
! infamous ihan Benedict Arnold OF the Amer
/ lean Revolution, seeking by every means
/ Whatever just or foul, to overthrow and rum
| our institutions. Even guns have been fired
uDou An unarmeG vessel for attempting 10
enter a southern port under the banner OF
the United States. Our flag, which has so
long and so triumphantly waved over US, anu
! winch today IS 50 highly respected IN every
/ =. Il 10 sfnxaas Twa1f
has been torn down and dIshonOred, and
Our federal property has been seized in de-
/ fiance Of the laws OF The land. Not only are
these traitors seen in the South, but also in
the North. They are lurking about the Cap
itol: they are seen in the halls OF legislation,
openly proclaimIng and upholdlng their afro
cious designs All, all Of these events and
movements are now transpiring IN this our
beloved country. Ny countrymrn, ap-
peal to you;-has the glory of America depart
I'd Z Are those principles, held 50 sacred ana
purchased so dearly by our revolutionary Ia
theirs, in your hands to prove Of no avail Is
it possible that the American people have De-
come so degenerated that they will suffer the
peTpetration of such outrages upon humanity
and government. in defiance of all law and
Justice, to 20 unpunished and unmolested
Will YOU not rather rise to the dignity OF
freemen, assert your independence ana pa
triotism, and struggle with your might for the
. Union. the Constitution and the enforcement
, of the laws2 The great constitutional prin-
cipie upon which this government was found.
. ed. to wit the majority shall rule, has been
denied. bv the resistance of the South 10 the
election of our noble and worthy "andidate
Abraham Lincoln. Ii We give up this prin
: ciple, our government is failLre. he grea
! problem OF selfg~vernment that our father:
!, declared that they and their postenty woull
= work out tor the nations Of the earth, would
> remain forever unsolved. Men talk Of com
promising with the traitors. Let u not make
compromises, for if we do they will be lroke'
aoain. and every resistance Of the slave pow
er hereafter will have to be settled in tn
. same way. appeal to you, Vermonters' ar
YOU going TO falter in this crisis Are tn
- sons Of New England No Rather let u
:. boldly meet the issue now and for ever.
h we do, this secession movement, so atrocIou
= in its character, will ultimately fail, and b
=, hereafter referred to only as a matter OF hg
: tory, heaping dishonor and disgrace onl
/. upon its perpetrators L. H. u
" y Poutney, Vi, Feb. 4th, 1861