Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1861-05-17
THE CALHOUN LEPRosY.

The poison of John {. Calhoun has infect
ed almost the entire blood of the soutbr'
people. His platform had two dogm', - ~
one, that African Slavery in t1e '0
States is a blessing to both rAVes anu in1
ter-a diuue1y appointed institution anu
she only sure basis on which Tree i"o'''
for the whites can stand the other' 'na'
State authority Especially slave-State au-
tbor;tv, is superior to National authority
r,ere Tho two Gisagree,-that the State can |
r,z;fy law of Congress, and secede from |
the National Government whenever 1T shall
choose to do so.
The first dogma, though contrary to the
whole spirit of the Gospel, to the general
sentiment of the Christian world, and to the
emphatic teachings of the great men who
laid the foundations of the Z. 5. Constltu-
ton, gradually made its way into the hearts
of the selfish and the INDECENT in all ranks OF
southern society. By it the selfish could
Justify wrong they were determined 10
nerseyere in, and the indolent could ma an
excuse for yielding to an evil which they
lacked courage and energy to get rid OF.
The second dogma was captivating to poIltl-
cal dcmagogues, grateful to the overlooking
propensites of southern statesmen, and nour-
ished the prida on which it fed
1t was easy for the slaveholding ana
political oligarchy to make these two
dogmas work together for its benefit Where
arguments, such as they were, would not
convince, fierce denunciation was rcsorted
TO. and if that was not enough to silence
the non-contents, threats of bodily harm
(not always empty ones) were not long
in following. To cont,nd with men who en-
forced their doctrine much as the followers
of Mahomet did the dogmas of their prophet
was not so easy. The timid and time-serving
found it easier and safer TO yield than to re-
cent and the resolutely non-compliant, for
the most part sought their quiet by removal
to a purer atmosphere. Thus gradually
preacher and people were equally infected
The leprosy unchecked soon Overspread the
whole land.
The determination to break away Gas soon
as possible) from Government based on Ideas
of freedom, and to establish Coniederacy
based on ideas Of slavery ,was.one natural con-
sequence of the adoption of the Calhoun
dogmas; and the destruction of moral hon
esty, of every sentiment worthy OF the name
of honor, of every feeling Of true patriotism
in those who have engaged in this rebellion.
was another.
The eff ct of these pernicious doctrines IN
officers of the Army and Navy is the IN 1t
shocking of all If a Government cannot rely
on those whose very profession binds them to
its support by the most sacred Obligations
known to man, men who have worn ITS
honors, lived on its bounty, and sworn 10
uphold its authority, on whom can it rely !?
Yet by how many Southern officers have all
these obligations been made Of no more AZ
count than a Jester song as soon as the "p-
portunity for dcsertion or betrayal was ot-
fered to them As true man
of the army expressvely saida few days ago,
A" the serUioc is lousy r0ifh traitors" \ VI.
large proportion (far beyond fair sharr) of
the officers Of the Army and Navy, are from
the South. Men from those States have
been eager to secure those honorable post
tions, aud thcy have been INDUCED to excess:
the consequences we now see. One OF the
most appalling difficulties the present Gov
eminent had to encounter, and yet has to
contend with. is not knowing whom of their
own officers, (most honorable and noble
exceptions there are) if tn are from the
Southern States, they can trust. Every
week shows new delinquencies The chief
progress made by the rebels thus far has been
through the infamous treachery Of army
and naval officers from the South
The poison which has 50 corrupted the
blood, will never be eradicated hy mild
means. Emolients and soothing syrups
have beer tiled on it til it has been proved
that they only make it worse. TIE system
can never be cleansed OF it, but by the sharp
est and most resolute practice. Nothing
short Of blood letting on pretty large scale
will do the work. a half way victory will
do no good. The patient must be cured or
he must de.