Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-08-22
For the Journal.
LETTER FROM MISSOURI.

Mr. BRowN, "A little less than three
weeRs ago when left Vermont, all was quiet
in this city, and everything seemed from the
reports to be in thriving condition. How
is it now; You have, Of course, read the
news, and can therefore form an idea of the
condition of things in the city and state gen
orally; but you cannot know so well as an
actual observer, the true state of public feel
ing, nor can you even imagine the horrors Of
that feeling Of insecurity which has laid hold
Of many hearts--hye, stout hearts-in this
community
II is the general belief that the city is safe,
but when people say that, they have 20 ac-
knowledge that in their opinion it would be
great deal safer il it had less secessiouists
within its limits Why, had no idea--no
Northern man had-of the alarming number
Of rebels here. They comprise the wealth
and influence Of the city to a great extent,
and, although they dare not act openly, or
talk but a little, yet Union men are justified
in feeling that some Internal plot may devel-
ope itself any day, by which this city Of at
least hundred and sixty thousand inhabi.
tants may be given to the control of jeff.
Davis d Co. | do not think the country a.
broad knows Of this as it ought to. | don't
know but that the general government may
be informed Of it, but there has been a studied
effort on the part Of the press Of this city, to
avoid narrating to any great extent the soli-
citude. and perhaps | may say, danger, that
every loyal man feels. They do it for this
reason, as the editor of the Republican told
me--that is, if they should expose such a
feeling the secesh of the state would flock
here at once, and such an event would make
this but U. s. military post, and perhaps a
battlefield. The truth is, this is near the
dividing line between the struggling govern
ment and its rebelous people, and St Louis
seems to be the pivot on which men turn,
either to the right hand or to the ieit--to the
beloved Union or to the damnable confedera-
cy. There is nothing open-handed; every
thing is dark and secret The government
must, OF course, proclaim its orders, and try
TO or Lanize its militia, for such is the legal
way. But the rebels regard no legal way
care nothing for peace, honor, profit, or any
thing else, and work separately, every man,
woman aud child doing their utmost, and
only waiting opportunity to rush together in
the affinity Of purpose, and strike terrible
blow against the government. This is not
overdrawn; no, not in the least. Anu were
it not for the facility with which government
could send troops here, no man would feel
safe to be loyal. Last night the keeper Of the
planters's House, in conversation, said, " We
suppose we are all right''-and in a whisper
" but we don't kaoto but we sleep over a mine
every night.
Gen Scofeld's recent orders have made
/ general skedadling among the rebels, anC
when the militia comes to be drafted, which
will be next week, the wheat of loyalty vii
| be pretty thoroughly separated from the chat
[ of rebel sympathy. Some apprehend trouble
and violence, but | think the more genera
z opintuNl is thu4 those who asr nBwilling "a
serve in the State or Union army will quit the
State before drafting commences.
The Union men here approve the policy OF
the administration, and whether they do or
not. will sustain the Union to the end
There is but one fault found, and that is, that
recruiting was ever stopped, and that the wal
has not heretofore been prosecuted more Wig
ously. There is no conditional loyalty ii
such places it is too near the border. Eve
~ mans interest is to much at stake. There
is terrible earnestness in the great work
and if the more northern sections of the coun
try will make the sacrifices that these people
do, and such as all the rebels themselves
make, then our country can be saved; other
wise il is a thing of less certainty.
But fear | am firing you with TOO long {
letter will, with your indulgence simpl!
state the business condition and prospect o
the city Business is at low ebb On th'
best streets in town there are many storei
closed, with such placards as for rent,
closed till after the war" &c, &c, on TIA,
doors, while the city is flooded with business
men who early in the war, came from hostile
sections of the State, and have not yentureC
to return so long they could barely liv
here. Now, everything is on the militar,
order, and therefore most kinds Of bushes
more than ever suspended. The State is tel
ribly infested with euerrillas, and they seen
to be ubiquitous They rob, burn, murde
and destroy everything that belongs to loya
men. To-day had conversation with
farmer from johnson county-tvo hundre
miles west from here, who had lost all hi
property by them, and fed here for safety
He has sad story He SAYS give him any
thing but land where law secures not lit'
Crops, Of all kinde, are abundant in the STATE
and the ST Louis market is crowded with th
choicest fruits and luxuries Indeed, this
a splendid country in time Of peace.
Yours truly, C..