Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-04-11

this rebellion shall have termination. This
chapter in our history, at present so dark, must
have more significant lines and brighter shades,
before its close.
The cause Of all this dificulty-fhli which gives
vitality to the Dragons tooth, must be removed, or
essentially modified before our tribes shall again
dwell together in the unity Of the spirit and in
the bonds Of peace But this was not what I
started to say.
Not only did the Government at first not CON-
prehend the magnitude of the struggle before US,
but the people it is to be feared do not even now.
That continued "On to Richmond" cAmor; that
muttering a, the Government for its alleged inef-
hciency and for conducting the war on wrong
principles; that fault-hnding with Scott and Nc
Clellan for their mastery inactivity. their moder-
alton and caution; that horrfcation on account Of
the terrible debt with which the nation is to be
saddlei; thar hns fqik-fhlf frlddle about certain
generals figuring for the Presidency; all this, to
my mind, betokens very low sense Of the gigantic
evil which we have on hand 81 "a, f,rHrra-
non IF riist iep,7l, N. h and glory Of n, RpuB-
Eet
Now as I speak in a low ard uneommanding
tone Of voice let me say at leas, to the people e
my native state (lai if some of the New York 1ur-
nalis;s should overhear l would not particularly
csre) isPlfieuf; Pc e1raf0r's; b,Jasf. No man
ever placed in d more critical and responsible
position than our present chief magistrate. Think
Of the perils through which he passed 10 the Cap
itol and took bis oath Of oGioe' Think Of the de-
ranged and terrible state Of tie couutry-almos,
one-half the Republic rising in arms, and the other
portion divided in sentiment, having a very
large minority who hal always acted po-
litically with the secessionists. and for whom
it was difficult Al once to renounce III sympathy
for them, and t. coalesce with the Govern
ment. Think Of the robbed aud empty
state Of the Treasury Of tho absence Of
the navy in foreign paIts-of the large
proportion Of the officers Of the army and navy
who turned trait srs-of the Government plum
dered Of her arms AMI oriinance-of the Capital
at once Invested and trembling in the balance
Never was there government in a more criti-
cal and perilous condition. Remember how des-
titute We were Of officers Of soldiers, Of arms,
Of clothing and all kinds Of military equipage -
the public opinion Of the world has divided. and
finally seemed turned against US In short how
in all these respects, there had TO be literally
new creation And what do we behold at the end
Of II month 4 united AMI perfectly consoIi-
dated North-ln army Of nearly 200, 900 we'll
Offered, well drilled and we'll disciplined men
fora all 81 a al. tf.s
world produces powerful and constantly aug
meniing navy-ihe Capitol afe-yictories attend
ing all our banners-30O0 miles Of rebel sea coast
blockaded-many Of their strong holds taken, and
nearly one-thrd Of their territory conquered. and
the sentiment and sympathy Of the civil rad world
returning to their old channels
Now in the whole history Of nations, where can |
there be found parallel in energy aud success p
While l can weep over the madness and folly Of /
my country, never was l so proud Of it as at this |
hour. Never did sec 50 bright future before
it Is it then the dictate ola patient, patriotic
aod lofty spirits it oonsiderat e and Just, at
a time lFe this, for our Northern people to give
way to low aad groyeline likes and dislikes-to
doubtful theories and expeiients, while the great
current Of affairs is moving steadily on to such
grand and desirable results Is there really any
cause for it,
In world where TO err is hu1an-where
passion and avarice and patriotism and meauncss
minge in is masses, who ever expects to see
great revolutions effected without more or less Of
mistakes and tlunders. Of lights and Of shadows
These doubtless We have had in tho present great
national struggle, but instead Of their furnishing
grounds for heart-burnings and jealousies and
see cause for present gratitude
that they have been no moro numerous or fatal
The most delicate aud nome ntous questions have
been invol we'd from the commencement Of tn, war
questions which only time and the most uuin
consideration can properly settle. 49,
-ead, and steel, and blood may have influence in
heir adjustment, but can never furnish the soIu-
ion. They are too vast and complicated-too
Ugh and holy-too much concern the moral and
piritual World-the true progress of the age, to
o be finally settled by stern logic.
The downfall of long established institutions
nay be so sudden as to produce unnatural and
destructive convulsons,as to derange and unsetle
he very framework of society and government.
The slavery question, which has been for so long
time discordant element in our national poli.
y and counsels, and which has brought on and
Inderies our present troubles, must soon be set.
led An Institution involving so many enormi-
ies-so fruitful in evils to the body politic-so at
Tar with humanity and abhorrent to a true sense .
can rot survive the adjustment Of our present
iiiiculties (unless it be for limiteI period 10
void ealamitous consequences which might result
rom so sudden and vast change) The evils
hich it has inflicted upon the Government forbia ,
the enormous outlay OF blood and treasure c
-hich it has caused, forbid it The future welfar,
nd glory Of our country, forbid And God and
be civilized and christian world say, ayes, let a
die" 1t seems to me there can be no reason I !:
Bile doubt upon this point. We must be Little less a
IAN insane who INDUCES in any other view of o
ne matter. The question then arises on what '
rinciPles shall the war be conducted? And d
lquire why not upon precisely the principles Il
pom which it was begun, What Iced Of new COIN :,
cations, Of new issues? If at any stage Of the ii
ar it shall become necessary for the support of t:
le government, for the enforcement Of the Con- ( :.
tuition and tho laws over all our domain. to Of
rke the letters from the slave and to arm him for
e conflict, it would be perfectly legitiiusts y =
ole Of warfare without declaring it as one of the ci
,inal objects of the war, AMI this will be done, "
as some assert, this rebellion cannot be put ~ ~
Iwu without it-for the rebellion must be mt or