Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-02-14
guatrbmau & State Jourual.
BY r. p. WALTON.
MONTPELIER. FEBRUARY IA. 1862
FRANCE AND ENGLAND.

l
that their disposition, notwithstanding the
amicabo settlement of the Trent affair is not
very friendly toward this country. II is in
deed impossible to resist the conviction that
these nations have designs that are rapidly
maturing, against the integrity or reconstruc-
tion Of the United States. Their sympathies,
as well as their interests, are obviously with
the South in its attempt to break up this Gov
ernment. We are satisfied that France will
not break with England, and that England
only waits decent pretext to throw her
weight into the scale of the rebellion. Moth
ing that We can do seems TO please her. Ev-
cry move we make outrages the sentiments Of
humanity Of nation that blew the Sepoy reb-
els from the mouth Of cannons. and the sense
Of justice of people that have received the
historic appellation of perddious Albion.
why then should we aim TO please or satisfy
a nation whose unconcealed sympathes are
against us: The more we desire the appro-
val of foreign powers, the more likely we
shall be to be swervod from justice and hu-
manity, and also the more irritated and in-
censed we shall continue TO grow. The only
safe way is to take a right and strong course
with the rebellion; to insist upon no foreign
Intervention to care little for the opinions Of
the other nations, and to make ready to meet
them in conflict if they resort to a violent in
reference in our affairs Above all, we should
speedily put ourselves in STRONG defensive
position. The coast and harbors Of Maine
should be at once guarded. Portland would
be the first point Of attack Il should be
made impregnable. The Canadians look with
/ longing eyes upon the terminus of the Allan
tic q ST. Lawrence road, and would be glad
20 have it under their jurisdiction. But if
an English feet should take Portland, it
would at once be isolated from Montreal by
the destruction of the railroad, and then it
would be only work Of time to di,lodge it,.
But Government should at once provide
against such reverse.
Our frontiers can be easily defended by our
troops, if the coast is properly guarded 1t
would be impossible for England to carry on
a war successfully with Us by land, unless
she controlled the barbors Of Maine II we
keep her out of Portland and the Penobscot
Canada would inevitably be overruu by our
armies Our flank could be turned only from
the sea while Canada is hanked both by Maine,
New Hampshire, Vermont and the Western
States. Canada herself as military power
l. very weak. She has regular troops, and
would depend entirely on English forces
Her h1buans are feeble and timid. Her En-
giish and Scotch are Of class that are above
the ranks, except, it might be, for home de-
fense, and her Americans would not join a.
ganst us. England must hold Canada, if it
is held at oll This she could not do for a
year unless she can control the harbors and
railroads of Maine. Montreal would fall in
six months.
The foreign powers need not for moment
presume that we should retain our present in
activity in war with them. 1t would wake
up our army officers who are now sleeping on
their posts or dancing attendance upon Con-
gressional committees It would put merit in
the way of promotion 1t would weld the
nation together. 1t would precpitaie the
North uIon the rebellion, quicken the Union
sentiment in the South, aud develop such a
degree Of martial energy as the world has
not seen. 1t would bring again into power
our best men and change the political face of
the country.
OF course such a war would be terrible
tbst 4 L. 20 81.
we should come to it with a great reluctance
The rebellion demands blood and tears enough
But God will be the judge between us and
those powers that would force US, either to a
wilder and bloodier conflict, OF to submit to
national degradation aud extinction. If Eng
land lends her physical power to the rebell-
ion, she forces us to war with her, or to
consent to the dismembermeut Of our country.
On such an issue we should be strong. But
we hope for the best, even while we antici-
pate the worst and strive to make ready for
it.
Thus far our Government has shown mod
Grafton, justice and statesmanship on all for
egn questions. fwar should come, it will
not be Of its seeking, or Of its provoking 1t
will be by the infatuation aud madness of the
foreign powers. 1t will be fr the destruc-
ton Of the commerce of the world. 1t will
load the nations with debts that can never be
paid. In it blows will be given as well as
taken, and when it is over what will be the
good that is gained Cua bono Let Eng
land answer before she filings down the gage.
and let's slip the dogs Of war. Perhaps the an
swer can be found in the great law by which
Christ rebuked the bood-thirstuess of dis
ciple, " They that take the sword shall perish
| by the sword" If England them or France,
desire to unsheathe the blade that may give
strength to the rebolious rinci pie, which, if
turned against themselves, would disintegrate
their Kingdoms and dethrone their monarchs,
let them pursue their apparent designs. If
not, let them put up their hali-drawn swords.
Or if the telegraphic dispatches we publish to-
day from England and France are false, the
inventions of the stock jobbers for the pur-
pose Of speculation, let the Government take