The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-11-07
Vermont Conservatism.
From the Springfield Republican

The conservatism that prevails in Vermont
is OF the right sort. 1t supports the admins
tratIon energetically and unconditionaly
IN the prosecution of the war, and it cares
nothing for the interests of party or political
asplrants until the work of saving the ma
ton is completed. The union of all parties
tor the sake of the Union has been success
fully carried through in Vermont, and with
the exception of little fragment of Breckin-
ridge democrats, too insignificant to be count
ed, Vermont is politically unit. And the
union is not nominal, but real and hearty, land
the offices are given indiscriminately to those
who were formerly Republicans and Demo-
Gratis. The consequence is that the people of
Vermont are of one heart in the support of
the government, and there is no opposing
party, and no such miserable scramble for
the offices as is now disgracing other states
The same unanimity might have prevailed in
all the states, if the office-holderS of the DOM
nent party had exercised the same magma
nimity and generosity as those of Vermont.
And in that state, it is to be remembered,
there were no selfish motives to such un-
ion, because the Republicans were strong
enough to hold the state under any circum-
stances. But they went into the no.party
movement honestly and from purely patri-
otto motives, and they have their reward in
the noble position taken by the entire people
of the state for the support of the govern
mcnt.
Senator Foot, just reelected by the Yer
mont legislature to another term in the Uni
ted States Senate, has been commonly con-
sidered a conservative Republican, and so he
is, but he is man enough to see that the
first duty of conservatism is to support the
government in this crisis. He delivered an
elaborate address at Montpelier, on Thurs.
lay last, at the invitation of the legislature,
upon the condition of the country, from
which We take the following paragraphs as
indicating his position and that of the state ::
u have no respect for the man who has
the heart to set himself to the miserable work
of restoring old party organizations, when
our brethern of all parties are in the field
for the defense of our common country.
| (Applause) Such man is, to say the least,
unmindful Of his first and greatest duties to
his country. Our own Vermont has set an
honorable and praisworthy example in this
regard and | honor her for it, and | am
proud of the position she has taken in rising
above party politics, and giving her support
| to the executive government in this its hour
of need. Our executive government has the
control of the war, and unless that be sus-
tained the rebellion must triumph. If party
interests divide the supporters of the 60, ern-
ment, the rebellion must triumph, and the
Union is lost. Organized opposition to the
executive government in such crisis is, in
effect, if not an act, opposition to the war, is
subn.ssit II to the success of the rebellion, is
The degradation and death of the republic.
81 am not to be understood as saying that
We are bound by any obligation to approve
or even yield quiet acqulescence to every
act Of the executive government in the con-
luct of the war. SO far from it, it becomes
our highest public duty by respectful and
earnest a peal to the executive to ask fer
and earnestly insist upon the correction OF
evil, and if il shall BE- found that We have
unworthy officers in councils Of war or OF
state, in whatever department they may be
found, to ask for their removal. This, far
from being indiscriminate opposition to the
rebellion, is the most fruitful service to the
country, especially when it is done in good
faith and let us, then, in this great contest
give all our hearts, and possessions, and lives
if need be, for the republic,
"But some one may ask, is this to be al
abolition war? answer, it is ard that
am in favor of an abolition war. applause.
am for an abolition war for the total exter
mination of this rebellion. And who is no,
in favor of such war; You perhaps ash
further, is it the object of this war to fres
slaves or abolish slavery? | answer it il
not. The object Of the war is to supper
the government. The object is TO subdu'
the rebellion and save the country. To saw
tHe CouHtly VIC uiuSt put uO"H Iio IeocIlioti
and this cannot be done in any other wa,
- than by striking at the foundation and i
in putting down the rebellion, the cause o
it comes down, would not on that accoun
abate one whit the vigor Of the war. Gap
plause.) But am asked again whether w
have any constitutional right to liberate tn
slaves. | answer that the rebel in arm
against the government forfeits the right t.
protection under the constitution which h
seeke to overthrow and destroy. The ira
: tor hes no rights under the constitution, eS
cept the conceded right of being hung by tn
neck until he is dead. (Applause.) An
the sooner he is admitted to the full fruitio
of this exalted privilege, the better for hi
country" (Applause.)
F What charming thing is BIRTHS
"neutrality"! The rebels become the pr
teges of JOHN BULL; he builds war ships ft
them fits out pirates for them at his oV
- DOr:s. furnishes them with arms and ANN,