Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1862-06-17
GREEN MOUNTAIN FREEMAN, JUNE II, 1862


We print elsewhere extracts from the London
Times, and also from Southern paper complain
ing OF the severity Of the measures adopted ny
Gen. Butler in restoring New Orleans to the
Union. These structures, similar in character
proceed IN both eass from mistaken notion OF
the relations that ought to subslst between The
citizens Of the Government and the officers OF
that Government, --and these mistaken notions
are not wholly confined to foreign critics or Sc
eessIon journals, but many really loyal papers,
mlsled by "a captivating and amable humanity
have given currency to kindred ideas although
not applying them to particular cases, but ex'
pressing them in general terms
This Government is now engaged IN Suppress
ing great rebellion. Those who are resisting
it's authority are criminals, liable to be dealt
with as such. Policy, or expedlency, may lrnlt
the extent to which it is advisable Tor Tie Gov
ernmens to 90 in treating he traitors as crIhl-
mails. but these are the only limits, unless wt
also limit the ability of the Nation to punish
treason rs it deserves 1t is through this DIS
cpline of punishment first by war, atterward
by law, that the Nation Is to be restored, not
precisely 80 the state in which it was before TIE
rebellion, but purified, We hope, from the peg
tient brood Of traitors who have for 20 many
years been sowing the seeds Of the present re
belllon Are we to be taught that this can b'
accomplished by kindness and Cancellation
wholly, or chiefly, and the ministers oil the pow
er Of the Government are only to restore anC
not to punish that they are to bear the olive
branch, and not the sword ? This teaching
may bring us to a patched-up peace for tn
time, hollow truce Of year or presidential
terri, but ii can bring us no permanent quiet
or assurance Of the stability OF the Government
These charges against Gen Butler all amour
simply to this: lie insists that the U. ). Gov
eminent, in its representations in New Orleans
shall be respected. He will not suffer the EN-
blems Of an infamous rebellion any more to b
Haunted from female bonnets than from Custom
Houses and steepes His purpose is to make tn
people Of New Orleans respect the authority O
law, and he takes the only method which vii
make that end sure, by making disobedienc
and Obstinate dsloyaty dat gerous and uncom
Portable. And bis treatment is working ADM
raAy, keeping The crescent city quiet, and com
msnding respect every where Tor the Govern
ment whose Gag he carries. And this sam
treatment, in spite OF the protest of rebels VIII
have not u very good opinion of the law or III
Government which hangs men for the crime o
treason and Hspite Of the protest Of oreg
journals, who do bot see how they are to prof
by such course, yill be followed up, we trust
sy. our-oo.s .......<sk ano an e4~s.p i. 50, ,..,
which will last iora thousand years, OF the tc
ribls punishment which will overtake those vii
conspire to overthrow the Government.
criminal laws and severity of punishment al
oil any service in the administration OF atfli
in this world, we think they can be prohtab
employed in dealing with treason, which con
bnes in itself the villainies and the enurmit,
OF all other offences.