Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1862-11-13
Letter from Montpelier.
FROM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT,

Editor of Herald; Things are moving on
here steadily. The new compilation of the
laws attracts most attention, The monotony Is
occasionally broken by a brief discussion OF
some proposed amendment, or the introduction
of some new matter. LATHE, however, has
been brought before either House calculated
to excite much interest. In the committees,
the railroad from your place 10 Castleton,-
looking after the delinquencies of the past, and
planning emendauons for the future
the Brandon Bank and the sureties for
Mr., Bates, late Treasurer, are among the top
ics reserved for the future Except these the
THIRD House has not much business before it.
The monotony was broken yesterday in the
House by proposition TO release convict
| from your county, who was sentenced for muir
der, but whose sentence has been twice CON-
muted by the Legislature, first to close Oonhne-
| ment for life, second, to the liberty Of the
yard, and now it is proposed to pardon him
altogether. Thus Justice and mercy are
brought into collision. The Legislature makes
laws demanding the death penalty, COM
polling the Court to execute them, then, with
| but partial knowledge Of the facts, steps in
to arrest the Judgment, and finally overrides it
altogether, assuming Judiciary and executive,
Would it not be better to entrust discretionary
powers TO the Count or to the Chief Executive
in such cases p?
1t was decided not TO remit the punishment
of the petitioner, and facts have since come 10
light which seem to Justify the decision. lie
committed the murder, ii was asserted, under
the influence of strong drink But for that,
he was peaceable man. The committee who
reported a bill for his pardon, were asked II
any assurance could be given--if there was no
danger Of his getting more strong drink on
some future St. Patrick's day. The question
not answered. 1t now turns out that, in def
ance of law, the wife of the culprt keeps low
drinking hole, which is source of much mis-
chief to the community.
There is some loose legislation in the world
vet Laws are passed and violated by the
very men that make them. Liquors are fnrn-
ished here by Senators and Representatives IN
their rooms, and freely offered to callers, ever
: to committees in session, and the faces OF toe
+ many prove that the use is not rejected. No
all. nor a majority, are of this sort. But sew
eral who think themselves leaders, anc
g who are loudest in the politics of the State
: belong to it and glory in their shame. Is i
q strange that Judgment rests on nation who's
+. statesmen aud military leaders are so many o
them addicted to the vice of intemperanc'
not to say drunkenness : Should not tn
honest, pure, sober men of the State and ma
: ton arouse aud, returning to the simple prn
}. ciples and integrity of our foreiathers, seek Z
preserve the State in time hike this Ar
> we to float on to destruction Look AT New
= York, that city OF wealth aud Wickedness, an
j. see how far nen have departed from the SIM
ri plictv, Justice and honor which characterize
!, the men of former days! Our nation reelinl
u on the edge of dissolution, and that proud an
of boastful "metropols (of inquity) throwing il
4 self on to the side Of the enemvi Where is on
safety Or is there none?
tell YOU Mr., Editor. without the spirit q
prophecy. that a change must take place. an
4 that speedily, or we are gone. Our great {!
n Generals must do something more than guar
lie Washington, They, whose procllvitieS hav
Il always kept them close TO the enemy, Away
/ pro-slavery, the especial friends, s1norn brett
rem, and former, proteges Of the leaders Of tn
1t rebellion, must be removed from the front, an
+ the helm, and men Of action, men of integrity
e men of principle, men Of fight, t1eemen, lover
d of liberty, be set in command, or We are for
d ever hopelessly ruined as a nation. Is Their
no power to save us? Are we clear gone ?
y Then wherefore Too long, too blindlv hav
IS we adored a man, not for what he is or ha
l. done, but adored him as a myth for what "
% would have him. Let rs be wise and re
7; pent. ---
It CAprToL
h Montpelier Nov. 6, 1862 Iaa fe.7 .4H'