Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-04-04

For the watchman.
THE RESTORATION OF THE UNION.
Mn EDITOR Although see much to ad-
nit in the honest, out-spoken sentiments OF
your correspondent ct A. think him has
ty and too lcveling in his conclusions. And
your criticisms on his article on the "Restora-
ton of the Union" in recent issue, arc, in
all probability, but the opinions of almost the
entire mass of the Northern and Southern
Union people. In my opinion the position
taken by the Waterman, on the Slavery ques-
ton. as relates to this war, in the main, has
been correct, and your correspondent does
you an injustice when ne remarks that "the
inference may be drawn that you would have
the Union restored to the condition in which
the rebellion found it,
Yet. sir, to hear men talk at the present
time, even here in Vermont, any rejecting
mind cannot fail to discover the lamentabe
willingness of very many of our people to
tamely submit to the re-estabishment OF our
previous national conditions. The grievous
fault in the conducting Of the policy OF this
nation, has been, and, in a measure, now IT,,
that it is easier to make exorbitant concess-
ions TO exceptional and ruinous institutions,
and to go forward in the path Of error TO re-
sultant destruction rather than TO exact devo-
ton to principle win in behalf of constitu-
tonal liberty, and to demand new guaran-
ties to freedom.
We wish not to have the rash schemes and
hasty conclusions of the now intensely ex-
cited public mind become the substantial
policy Of our government. Indeed, do in
sist that there may be eminent danger Of ruin
in this direction But to have the great
moral questions that transcend all others,
and the public conscience that has newly ac-
quircd an expension. disregarded, and lost
sight of, in an over desire and ertreme watch
fullness in preserving the exact condition OF
affairs as they were before the rebellion, and
which gave birth 20 our nations weakness,
disorder and peril involved us in civil wars,
and threatens to plunge the country into uni
versal anarchy constrains me TO aver that
the utter folly and giant niquity of our peo-
pie is in their unwilingness to take the want
age ground that opens up to them from our
victories by land and sea; to improve every
rightful and expedient means to crush the
rebellion, and urge that under the authority
Of the Constitution of the United States,
sustained by millions of free men, that free
dom is the only real, natural, permanent con-
diton OF society. This was the FIRST policy o
our nation and with il our fathers fought no
political conflicts. The great questions o
individual and national liberty, irrevocable as
their principles are eternal were theissues. and
our Constitution and form of Government anC
our past peace, honor and national power
were the great results of their faithfuluess. -
Now shall we 90 down from this treasured
inheritance and stoop to political trckery
and party schems, and devate from the high
and rightful policy OF our fathers Will The
loyal sons and heroes of the North, who ar,
70 form the councils of this nation, and who
are now sacrificing their all to restore to ui
our Government and laws, in all Of their or
iginal purty-will they at the close of thii
war, and the putting down Of the rebellion
carry this nation back to the simple recogni
ton OF law and to the same condition il
which ficenty millions Of people and the lane
filed with champions Of lawless violence
outrage, and anarchy, found it No, aeper.
Then let US never 90 back, but move for
ward to the prosecution of every plan that vii
aid and further us on in the establishment and
carrying out Of the great principles of tn,
American Government, and which will even
tually result in the greatest good to the en-.
tire nation. When we can secure a victory
in favor Of universal freedom, where the sacri
fees will not be commemorate 10 the real
advantage to be gained, let that victory b,
ours. Measured in this light, all vctoric,
have their proper value and limits and tha
prudence and discretion are not cardinal vir-
tues in such crisis this, simply becomes
the most insane mind tor moment to be-
lieve. G. f. 5.