The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1862-04-21
The Difficulties in Restoring the Union.

AS the Government RECEIVERS the territory c
the seeded States, and the work of restoring
to it's former obedience to the federal authorit
progresses, difficulties present themselves scarce
Iy less formidable than The work of conouerin
the armies of JEFF Davis and 1t is the part o
wise men to face these difficulties rlanfuly, an,
be prepared to meet and overcome them, ra.he
than to attempt 70 shirk the labor and leave tn
task but half done, or not done at ALL W.
print elsewhere a letter from our CORES ponden
in Gen. Hunters Department, showing very
wildly the state Of things in jacksonville, Flor
lda, and what may De expected there, as well as
e!Sew mere, when the federal forces are with
| drawn from any part Of the rebel States. There
seemed 10 be in Florida, when our troops first
| occupied the Eastern coast of that State, more
decided and general Union sentiment than nas
elsewhere greeted the old flag. The rebels al
most immediately gave up tie military occupa-
ton Of the State and steps were at once taken
ny the inhabitants TO make the State, pohtic-
ally througha State Government, in accord vi tin
the authority at " asbington. 1t required but
small federal force to afford the inhabitants Of
JacksonVlile !ull protection against such guerilla
bands Of rebels as might still lineer in the Vi
cnlty, and, in the expectation that they were al
last freed from the reign Of terror that had so
long kept their love for the Union unexpressed,
they gave free voice TO their joy. They have in
this way so far committed themselves that now.
when the federal protection is Withdrawn, their
fears have compelled them to follow the flag to
more secure asylum from the dreaded visits
OF the rebels who fed when Cur gunboats first
appeared before jacksonville.
And while We certainly have no desire to mag
Nifty the bitterness and malIgniiy of the rebels,
wherever found, and their persistence whenever
they find Immediate inmuniy. ia al! the mad
work OF rebellion, we yet can but believe tina.
the state Of affairs Jacksonville, as represented
by our correspondent, will be reproduced all
over the rebel territory now occupied by oar
troops, if the armed forces which now command
obedience in those places are removed. Nash /
vile would not be safe one day. if it were not
kept so by the power Of the Federal arm There
are many places in Kentucky, even, that have
not loyalty enough to defend themselves from
the rebels. Northern Missouri is disturbed, and |
infested BY bands OF rowing robbers. Baltimore
would be hardly safe. were it not for the Guns |
of Fort McHenry. And as our forces 90 further |
South, they will ind still less OF loyal sentiment
aud still greater necessity for present and con-
tlnuous military patton Of the conquered |
territory. In view Of these facts, every dav
coming 70 light, it seons evident that the rebel
lion IS to be put down only by force, and that
It will be necessary to use force for a long time
yet. to keep it down.
The desire to restore the Union without inter
iering with the rights of the States, is praise.
worthy enc, and should 50 far animate the Gov
eminent as to prevent it from needlessly abridg-
ing any State of its rights Beyond that we
don't think 1t should 90. unless we a.e prepared
TO say that State nights are OF more consequence
than Il restored Union. When we get 20 that
point, Jeff Davis will agree wlt Us, as It is part
~ thro that heresy that he hopes to build VI his
kingdom Of slavery and cotton The Government.
in dealing with these States, has thus far, pursued
a straightforward course. /, has taken posses
sion OF the territory, and assumed the reins o:
government, and is holding the States by mill
lary possession. This is its course in Tennessee.
1t is doing the same in North Carolina, and
South Carolina, and Eastern Virginia Unjust
do the anne elsewhere. How long this state of
things will last, there are now no means of iudg.
ing; but we don't think it is best to comfort
ourselves tina, it will be soon over. The South.
,rn rebellous disposition that has been thirty
years in growth, will not be changed in a few
months. And the intimaton we have had from
" ashlngton, that negroes were to be used to
garrison Southern forts, and help the Govern.
nent to maintain its authority on Southern soil,
nay prove only one of the " indispensable
means Of restoring the Union. At present
here is lighting to be done. But after the great
battles are all fought, there will slll be neces-
ity for the strong arm Of military power in
holding and occupying the territory that the
rmy has won.
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