Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-10-03

higher law Of Gods will without favor. @.
The writer of the above with whom We
have had amicable discussion on all the points
involved in his communication, will pardon
us for saying that it does not 10 our judg-
ment meet or answer the article that has sug-
gestod it, but is rather an independent dis
cussion Of old anti-slavery doctrines. lie
pcllIates and tLeoiises IN Chat region, while
il was our object to find some common ground
upon which we, having different yiows on
these taiags, might stand together in the
prosecution Of This war for the preservation
Of our Union and National Government.
We arc raiuod 10 notice irour the general
drift OF this letter, that our excellent friend
c.nnot consent TO ash God blessing ON this
government SO long AS ,r l.os not take active
measure. TO abolish ,ia,gsy in tho southern
States. Has be ever "insuted heaven" by
PRAYING for our Government While our
end and object in this war is the safety Of the
Republic, bis end and object is the destruc-
tion Of slavery. lfthe destruction Of slavery
would save the Republic, we say destroy il.
If the salvation of the Republic would pre-
serve slavery, be says, destroy the Republic.
We look al sia, ofy as possible means 20 de-
siroy the rebellion lie reioices in the re-
bellion as means TO destroy slavery We
look at the constitution as defining an our
political rights and duties, in respect to the
rebellion or 90 slavery. lie looks to a "hish-
et laF. and tolls Us not which church is 20
be ils teacher We bad thought to comment
on several of i.s hlacious statements, but
we conceive that no practical good can result
from s+us.i9n of ancient issues, when the
events Of every day afe .Golcing as to deal
with practical questions Of the giavest char
acter. The President now holds out to the
South, an interval OF three months for repcn-
tance, and promises them that If in that time
they shalIrreuru .nd send members to con-
gress, slavery will be left untouched, and
they shall be deemed not to have rebelled
II they do not the slaves will be emancipaed.
This is strictly menace, a war measure, We
shall soon learn its effect We apprehend
that the logic OF events will preclude the ne
cessity for the discussion of moral or political
distractions.
As our friend, however, seems to esteem
so highly the opinion of John q. Adams, we
will refer him to the language Of that emf
nont man when Secretary Of State, in the
wal oflsl2-l5. Writing of the British
Government that had proclaimed emanoipa-
tion to the slaves WIG would joia it, he says:
They had no rigN ,4amake,any such prom,s-
os to the negioes. Tho principle is, ttai Ae
emancipation ofan eHemy's daves is not among
the acts of legitimate uor. As relates to the
owners, it is destruction OF private property
nowhere warranted by the usages Of war. -
Again, iyo years afterwards, speaking Of the
right Of a belligcrent to emancipa;e slaves, or
excite servile instruction, he says, mo
such right is acknowledged as law Of war
by writer's who admit any limitation. TIE
right Of putting To death al prisoners 10 co'd
blood and ,cN.ut special caase, might as wH
be pr,teaJsd 20 De- a Ioio ~ ,car, or tie right 10
tss p1is.ne} l.t uas or 20 assassinate.' Is
not such doctrine both sound law and chris
tian common sensea We must confess that
it is impossible for us to conceive the state Of
mind that could devote the South to the
''butchery' of which our friend so calmly
speaks. Certainly there is no law known
among men, or civilized nations that would
justify the destruction Of non-combatants-
old men, women and children Aud if any
one demands such a warfare, on the ground
of the higher la,o,' it is for him to show the
explicit and distinct authority. While we
contend that the Government should not bear
the sword in vain aud should use all legiti-
mate means to maintain its authority, we
also contend that Christ does not cease to
command us TO love our enemies, and i'm
poses no limitations on the Golden Rule We
are to do to all others, (and mot simply to
innocent persons what we would have them
to do to us. We regret to have to inform
our friends that Mr.. WALTON, the proprietor
of this paper and the Representative OF Cen
tAhl ' tl iiiNAA tlA NHhb tNoof 10 ilhM hNtNN AAA
confined to his own house and bed, and we do
not know whether he would agree with the
article alluded to or not We presume from
the opinions he advocated in Congress on
condscaton, and from other things he has
said and DONE that he is not a radical, tho .
devoted to the suppression Of the rebellion,
and to all right measures that may be essen
tial to putting it down. Meanwhile he is un-
der the necessity Of having the assistance Of
such writer's as have never learned to utter
any ones opinions but their own.
The attempt to destroy the stores and cars
at Manassas at the time that Gen Banks fell I
back to Centervile was failure. The cars
and engines were so little injured by the fire (
that almost the entire number was got off by .
the rebels. They secured six engines in this .
way and a large number of cars. Two of the
engines were in a sufficiently good order TO
run at once. The rebels also got large
amount Of supplies there, very little dam
aged among them were a car load Of harness,