Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1862-10-24
The Folly Of the Rebels.

spirators was the formation of new
state, whose corner stone should be AT
rican slavery. They understood the in
npatibility of that institution with re-
publicanism, for they had organized re-
bellion on that account. They, there
fore, contemplated the ultimate establish
ment of despotism; the subordnation
Of all other classes of people within their
future state, to the power or tyranny of
the aristocratc class. This intent is dis
coverable in the public speeches and pri-
waite correspondence of the leading mo-
vers in the Instruction. For them to
defy the power of the government APP
pears to be the most stupendous folly,
but to fly in the very face of all the direct
tendencies of civilization to attempt to
check or turn them back, is greater folly
still For though they might succeed in
releasing themselves from their associa-
ton with free states, which was so hateful
to them, and establish the tyranny which
they so fondly looked forward to, they
would still be subject to the moral inhu-
ences, to the agency of political princi-
pies which are constantly growing freer
in their tendencies, which in no long
time would have ground them to powder.
They undertook to fight not alone the
material power of the United States, but
the spirit of freedom,-of democracy
which it represents, and which is the
most powerful agency now working in
human society. Blinded and besotted
by their devotion to slavery they could
not see this.
Louis Napoleon, when charged with
evil designs towards the cause Of popu-
lar freedom in Europe, demonstrated
vindicating his acuteness and sagacty by
assuring the world that he saw too well
the spirit of the age and its tendencies
to freedom, to entertain such purposes as
he was charged with having. Fortunate
would it have been for the Southern
statesmen if they had had equal fore
sight and sapience. They might possibly
haye seen SO clearly that final failure and
shame were sure to attend them, as to
have been checked in their wicked de.
signs.
That tendency which Napoleon styles
che spirit of the age is so obviously
towards popular freedom. and the poIiti-
cal equality of all men that no man, hav-
ing common intelligence and respectable
knowledge, can fail to perceive it. De
Tocqueville in his democracy in Amer
ica,' specially remarks it in noticing the
existence Of slavery, which was so at
variance with this prevalent spirit, thai
its duration could not be permanent. IL
must yield to the grand and humaner
principles which underlie the present
civilization. If one asks for the proofs
of this spirit, they may be seen in the
establishment OF Italian independence
in the throes of Austrian State in the
Liberation Of the Russian serfs; in the
proud position which the middIing classes
now occupy in England and France; and
in the changes which our free state poll
tics are undergoing. The southern poll
iticians would not see this. Denying
the plain principles Of natural justice in
enslaving men, they easily proceeded to
the denial Of the benefcence and signii-
canoe of those manifestations of the
democratic rpirit which are SO obvious
that the rest of the world comedies in its
beliefin them. Had the Southern States
-" Hayward Sisters departed in
peace, unrestrained by the federal gov
eminent, miserable and speedy failure
in their impious designs would have been
the certain result, for they run counter
to the obvious tendencies of Gods Prov
idence, which can scarcely be thwarted
or checked by the Vaccinations of
batch of bankrupt politicians. OF them
and their schemes, the Evening Posi-
says:
"They have rebelled, not only against
the Union, but against the spirit of our
age. They are in arms, not only to
overthrow the constitution and civil lib
erty in this country, but to drive back
the world. They raise their imPious
hands to set back the clock of time to
turn back the hands upon the dial plate,
which now point forward and upward.
1t is great attempt; but il is in vain.
They may fight and they may intrigue,
but they cannot succeed. They set
themselves against the progress of civili-
cation they seek to turn back the CEN
Luries and their efforts, formidable as
they may appear to us, will seem as vain
and puny to the historian who records
heir overthrow, as the efforts of a blind
mole to overturn the mountain beneath
which he is burrowing. "-BTtingto"
Times.