The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-25
WHO IS GENERAL PHELPSP
OUR VERMONT CORRESPONDENCE.

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OUR VERMONT CORRESPONDENCE.
RUTLAND, VT Dec. 81, 1861.
The Feeling Vermont about General Phelps Procama
tion-7he People and the Press Unanimously Dsorfuore
Of H-Cpinioas Of Edth-Sketch Of General Phelps--Hs
Personal Appedrance--ia Anecdo,e Of Hm--His Man
ners IN Camp, de-, de-
The people oil Vermont condemn with the voice Of
hearty unreserved condem MAJ ion the recent ocama
ton OF Brigadcr General Phelps This is all the
strange when her antccedents carefully reflect
cd upon and the uerances Of her history are remem-
bered. Her people have always been noted ntelec-
tua, moral, social and political calism, and the
fierce stres growing OF the discussions those
questions Of high national import that have
the mind and heart Of the nation for the past twenty
years or more, they have individually and collectively,
as a sovereign people, resolutely contested every
controvertcd point, and have rarely, ever,
yielded, either with grace any semblance
OF good will, when compelled " submit, state,
the superior dctaon of national law when conflicting
with her nsensae anti-saveryism This truth was CON
spcuousy apparent in the position Vermont assumed in
relation tho execution OF the provisions tho Fugitive
Slave law Of $780, openly refusing to respect the enact
ment, and by the adoption in common with the other
New England states of the oous Personal Liberty bills
In this entirely natural suppose that if the
General Phelps anywhere to with encourag
ing reception aud hearty endorsement, from their
supposed spposteness the public convictions the
State they would unhesitatngly be met with such evil
dences popular appreciation in Vermont where their
author Is best known and appreciated AS the people
Of Vermont express themselves, and seemingly
feel so dark pail that surg ,stcd by this proc!ama
ton has fallen upon the hilly Commonwealth
They feel in view of its disastrous sentiments and the
unworthy reflections they calculated 10 upon tho
State, utterly and unanimously bowed down with hu
initiation and while many outside sc Stale believe that
she feels only the unimelness Of the sentiments con
tanned the proclamation and that they are neverthc
less part Of her real belief, though she may not DO
ready practically endorse them at just this moment
still have heard Of only two prominent in the State
who give the document their una allied sanction These
Ex-Governor Ryand Fletcher and Ex-Governor Eras
tus Fairbanks Tho press Of tho State, with one
or two radical exceptions, regard the procla
nation ll-timcd, a prolix aud irrelevant essay
rather than ringing and phy enuncation Of his pnr
poses. 1t is considered as being nothing nor less
than disQuiston upon the evil tendencies Of slavery
and that General Phelps had awaited himself o., 4
opportunity suggested by temporarily ildel
command to publish his sixteen opinions to the world
without the slightest reference tho policy of Mr. Lin
coins administration an Ot OF respect for the wishes
of the great body of the people OF the States whose
convictions have been stupendously outraged by its
publication To demonstrate the accuracy Of my
ment in this particular, append lew extracts from
the leading and influential papers Of the State
which will amply confirm what have thus forth in
reference to the entire absence of popular approba
ton upon this unwise affair The Vermont ihAair
published at Brattcboro, the home OF Governor
Holbrook referring to the proclamation. says:-T This
document is in every respect peculiarly unfortunate II
Union at tho South, and lead the least informed
among thom to believe that this war is conducted
for the single object of extermnang slavery. IT. un
doubtedly expresses the personal convictions Of lis
thor but it should in no sense be considered ndca
federal government in crushing the rebellion
The Burlington tines says General Phelps states his
opinions about constitutional questions which
eccentric than sound cites historical precedent which
is most unfortunate when addressed to French Catholics,
and then branches ont into extended cncomums the
The Daily Journal, published Montpelier by Hon F.
p Walton of the members of Congress for the State
Of Vermont gives the proclamation sort OF
ment, and its language npars color to the idea that
author may only be little in advance of the real convc-
tons the masses of the State The journal says
Immediately upon reaching Ship Island Brgadier Gene
raj Phelps issued proclamation to the people Of the
Southwest, setting forth the objects of his mission and
the principles that would govern his action in conducting
the campaign. He takes strong ansavery ground and
the sentiments OF the proclamation will find universal
and hearty response in the hearts OF Vcrmcners The
proprety Of Issuing such document at this time do
not propose 10 discuss but must leave readers for
the present TO perusc the document Itself.
The Rutland Herald Of the ablest most onspoken
journals in the State, and edited by Mr. Dewey speaks in
terms Of unmcasured condemnation of the violent doc
trines contained in the proclamation and fully and
accepably represents the present views of majority of
the people of Vermont. The Herald says
Without stopping to inquire at present whether the
sentiments OF General Phelps proclamationtho sub
stance Of which publish this moning--arc good
bad We cannot resist the conviction that taking into the
account tho occasion and The people whom
1t is addrt ssed, it is i-tmed and inudicious aud
calculated 10 do much mischief. There is much
good sense IN the remark Of the Chicago Tribune that
forcing slavery agitation upon the country ut this
time seems ike an attempt kick reptile that
IS surely dying but still possessed OF the power strike
its poisoned iangs into your heart.r Unless General
Phelps expects to conquer and subdue the rebel Mississippi
plans by issuing abolition procanatiops TO them vby in
any more likely to turn the OF rebellion on tho
Southern coast to make proclamation that tina war
Is for the determination OF slavery and not
simply and only for the maintenance OF tho
Union and the constitution This proclamation
unless condemned by the administration will haze y
pernicious effect in a twotoh view. 1t win pn,to
the South in firm resistance to all attempts acouira
resumption Of federal control while Il will divide hor
lcssly and utterly, tho now united North 1t is 0re
brand Of dscord and has nothing to commend II what
to the loyal citizens. General Phelps nut he.
fore the people OF Mississippi his views Of slavery In
proclamation after proclamation but that will subdue
the rebellion. He not sent there kindle IN the
smolderng fires Of political agitation and the only arcu-
ments he is called upon bullet and the bavo
the object Of the is 10 restore tho Union and ton
added that slavery be crushed out tho progress of
the it will be military necessity brought about by
their wckedness and rebellion, he would have de-
| clared the truth. aud offended
We do not question the sincerity and good motives OF
General Phelps ia making this pocanatio Ion His charac
for integrity and public and private virtue well es
dent that be will be distinguished for state AN.