The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-10-10
The Governors Address.


ors of the loyal States, held to take measures
for the more active support of the govern
ment, at Altoona, Pa, on the 24th of Sept,
1862:
"After nearly one year and half spent in
contest with an armed and gigantic rebellion
against the national government of the Uni
ted States, the duty and purpose of the loyal
States and people continue and must always
remain as they were at its origin, namely, to
restore and perpetuate the authority of this
government, and the life of the nation. No
matter what consequences are involved in our
fidelity, nevertheless this work of restoring
the republic, preserving the Institutions of
democratic liberty, and justifying the hopes
and tolls Of our fathers, shall not fail to be
performed, and we pledge without hesitation
to the President of the United States the
most loyal and cordial support, hereafter as
heretofore, in the exercise of the functions of
his great office. We recognize in him the
chief executive magistrate Of the nation, the
commander in-chief of the army and navy of
the United States, their responsible and con-
stitutional head, whose rightful authority and
power, as well as the constitutional powers
of Congress, must be vigorously and relig-
iously guarded and preserved, as the condi-
tion on which alone our form of government
, and the constitutional rights and liberties Of
the people themselves can be saved from the
wreck of anarchy, or from the gulf of des-
potism. In submission to the laws which
may have been, or which may be duly enact
ed, and to the lawful orders of the President,
cooperating always in our own spheres OF
the national government, We mean to contin-
lie in the most vigorous exercise of our law
full and proper powers, contending against
treason, rebellion and the public enemies, land
whether in public life or in the private sta
ton, supporting the arms of tie Union until
its cause shall conquer, until final victory
shall perch upon its standard or the rebel foe
shall yield dutiful,rightful ard uncondition.
al submission.
! And impressed in the conviction that an
army Of reserve ought, until the var shall
end, to be constantly kept on foot, to be rails.
ed, armed, equipped and trained at home
and ready for emergencies, we respectfully
ask the President to call for such force O!
volunteers for one years service, of not less
than one hundred thousand men in the az
gregate, the quota of each State to be raised
after it shall have filled It's quotas of the REG
ulsltiors already made for volunteers and fol
mi tia. We believe that this would be ;
measure Of miiitsry prudence, while i, woul,
greatly promote the military education of tn,
people.
We hail with heartfelt gratitude and en-
coui aged hope the proclamation of the Pre-.
ident, issued On the o2d inst, declaring eman
cipated from their bondage all persons hell
to service or labor as slaves in the rebe
States where rebellion shall last until the Is
day of January ensuing. The right of an,
persons TO retain authority to compel an
portion Of the subjects of the national gov
: ernment to rebel against il, or to maintain
, its enemies, implies in those who allowed tn
possession of such authority the reght TO re
! bel themselves, and therefore the right TO e.
sablish martial law or military government, i
State or territory in rebellion implies th
right and the duty of the government TO iii
crate the minds of all men living therein
appropriate proclamations and assurances
4 protection, in order that all who are capable
0 Intellectually and morally, of loyalty and OBJ
: dience, may not be forced into treason as ii
r willing tool of rebellious traitors. To ha,
J, continued indefinitely the most efficient caus
n support and stay of the rebellion would ha,
n been, in our judgment, unjust to the 10y
e people whose treasure and lives are made
+ willing sacrifice on the altar of patriotisr
J. would have Disseminated against the wi
: who is compelled to surrender her husban
: against the parent who is to surrender
e child to the hardships of the camp and Il
e perils of battle, and in favor of rebel maste
II permitted to retain their slaves. 1t wou
- have been final decision alike against h
e manity, justice, the rights and dignity of Il
e government. and against sound and wi
4 national policy. The decision of tie Pre-
dent to strike at the root of the rebellio
f. will lend new vigor to the efforts and Mt
4 life and hope to the hearts of the 2eop
Of Cordially rendering to the President our ]
j. spectful assurances of personal and offic
Of confidence, We trust and believe that the po
'e cy now inaugurated will be crowned wi
% success, will give speedy and triumphant Y
c. tories over our enemies, and secure to Il
~ nation and this people the blessing and fav
ne Of Almighty God. We believe that the bio
he of the heroes who have already fallen, a
nj those who may yet give up their lives to tn
~ country, will not have been shed in vain.
e. The splendid valor Of our soldiers, tn
r. patient endurance, their manly PATRIOTS
and their devotion to duty, demand from
te and all their countrymen the homage of ,
Il. it. sincerest gratitude, and the pledge of {
~ constant Reinforcement and support.
ks just regard for these brave men whom
o. have contributed to place in the field, and
.. - the Importance of the duties which may /;