The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1862-03-04


trusts to tllu deslrueiiaa Of The rizhss
whieh il Was pledged % prosecl. They
believed ihai 10 remain longer IL lhe
Lnisn would subjees 'bem q I eoniipu.
anre q i d',ieraaing discrimination, sub
mission 10 which would be inconsistent
with ther welfare. and iniolerablc 10 a
proud people. They therefore determined
to sever it, bond. aad establish new con.
fedrlaey for themselves.
The experiment instituted by onr Rev
dictionary fathers, u a voluntary ulion Of
sovereign Stat, ior purposes specified IN
solemn compact, had been perverted BY
those WHO, feeling poner and forgetting
right, ucre determined 70 sptc no law
but their own Will The Government
had ceased TO answer tie enls Tor which
il Was ordained aud established Iosaye
ours ives from a revolution which. in ds
silent bun rapid progress, was about 70
place Us under the despoiism ol numbers,
and to preserve "a >pirn, as well a. ~
form, a system Of government We helieved
TO be peculiarly fitted to our col,dnion,
and inll Of qumi.c Tor mankind, we de-
ierminod 10 make new association, COM
posed o. States, homogeneous N interest, NJ
policy ami in feeling.
True 10 our traditions Of peace and oar
lofe oi justice, we seat Commissioners 90
the United States to propose iair and
amIeaAle settlement Of all questions q
public debi O property which might be -
di-pute. But the Government AT WASH
insion, deny ne our right OF selt-goyern-
menl refused even TO listen TO any pro-
posals for peaceful separation. Nothing
was then left FOR U. but 10 prepare for war.
The first year in our history has been
the most eventiul in the annals OF this con
tinent. A new government has been es-
tablishcd, and its ma hinery put in opera
ton over an area exceeding scyen hun
dred thousand square miles. The great
principles upon which we have been will
ling to lazard everything that is dear TO
man, Lave aade conqGesis for US which
could ntvcr have been achie cd by the
sword. Oar ccnfcdlacy has grown from
six to thirteen States and Maryland. all
ready united to US by hallowtd memories
and material interests, will, | believe,
when able to speak with justified voice,
connect her destiny with the South. Our
people ha.e rallied with unexampltd una
nimity to the support Of the great princi-
pies Of Constitutional government, with
firm resolve to perpeiualc by arms the
rights which tley could rot peacefully se-
cure. A million Of men, it is estimated,
are now standing in hostile army, and
wagng war along a frontier Of thousands
OF miles. Battles have been fought sieges
have been conducted, and, although the
contest is noi ended, and tile tide for the
moment Is against US, the final result IN
our favor is not doubtful.
The period is near AZ hand when our
foes must sink under the immense load OF
debt which they have incurred---a debt
which il Their effort TO suhjugaic US has
already attained such fearful dimensions
as will subject them TO burdens which
must continue 10 oppress them 'or gencr-
aiions TO come.
We, too. have had cur trials and diff
cu'ties. That W. are 10 escape them IN
tie future is not 10 be houet 1t was TO
be expected when we entered upon this
war Inst il would expose our people to
sacrifices and cost them much, both OF
money and hood. But We knew the val
ue OF The object for which we struggled,
and understood the nature OF the war IN
ahch we were engaged. Nothing could
be SO bad as failure, and any sacrifice
would be cheap as the price Of success IN
slch contest
But the picture hes IFS lights as well
as it. shadows. This great strife has
awakened ii the people the highest emo
tons and qualities OF the human soul II
is cgliivating feelings OF patriot m. virtue
and cNiage. Instances Of self sacrifice
and of generous devotion to the noble
cause for which we are contendng are
rife throughout the land. Never las a
people e,incrd more determined spirit
than hat now auim,ling men. women and
childr in every part OF our country.
. III V5H iilF HlNi tstAt Abi Abf - - ~ 'tA =
and wires and mothers scnd their hut-
bands and sons 10 battle without MUIR
mar OF regret
Ii was, perhaps, in the ordination Of
Providence that nc were 70 be taught the
value Of our liberties by the price which
we pay for them.
The recoIleciions Of this great contest,
with all its common traditions Of glory, Of
sacrifice and OF blood, will be the bond Of
harmony and enduring affection amongst
the people, producing unity in policy, fra
terniiy in sentiment, and joint effort in
war.
Nor have the ma erial sacrifices Of the
past year been made without some CORES
ponding benefits. If the acquieseence Of
foreign nations in pretended blockade
has deprived us Of our commerce with
them. il is fast making Us seli-supporling
and an independent people. The block
ade, II eifeeiual and permanent, could only
serve TO divert our industry from ihe pro-
r - u r u.