Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-09-26
THE LESSON WE ARE LEARNING.


:! ace Of eighteen months, thirty millions OF
people have passed ir IN state of prosper
ous leace, 10 that OF TIE mus: destructive
warfare. Yet often as we repe4t 1t, we can
not realize how great the change that has
taken place, nor how important the events
that are daily transpiring. The war came
upon Us, nation yet young and vigorous.
We were confident in cur ability to meet
any foe, and had boundless hopes Of the fu-
ture. Enjoying the freest speech, holding firm
ly republican ideas, we believed that the SEN
timcnt OF the People was a sufficient control
Ing power. We submitted to no dictation,
beyond that which the voice Of the sovereign
People imposed. That which they wiiled,
we were accustomed to see executed and
the resolutions OF assemblies and c5nyen-
tiOns, carried with them power that de-
cidcd the policy Of the Sat. Ia the midst
Of the quiet pursuits Of peaceful people,
this method Of deciding important questions
answered the purpose. Was reform or
change needed? 1t wa- only necessary 10
convince the people that such was the case,
and arouse them TO a sense of It's importance,
and the change would be effected. To re-
solve and contribute money, to enthusiast
c4lly applaud, had been found tie efficient
means to carry forward any desired object.
By these means, and in much The same spirit
that we would enter upon an ordinary politi-
cal clmpai.n, We unterto K the war we are
now prosecuting. We contributed money
aud men, and cheerel un the latter to the
conflict. We desired and expected that they
would be successful, and Immediately and
50. There must be no delay to
drill and in the military sense g create an
army. We wished to rec d constant Iry-
gress. unchecked until the worA should DC
We regarded 70 as SIMPLY qucs
ton Of - many men ami 50 many dollars,
lnd believed that the number could be quite
accurately fixed.
But an unwe.clme though s4luiary truth
las been gradually forcing i'se!i upon
he minds Of the Veople,-that war
i Mt an ordinary business transaction, nor
.ntreiy subject To the laws and regulations,
Shich govern civil sflirs Something more
Kan popular resolves, enthusiasm, men or
n n5ney, are required to c1uiuc, it eaectiyely.
There must bo carefully studied orsaniz ,tion,
nd that unity Of design and execution, y hich
,n!y the genius ol d military immander can
;lye. There must be patient waiting and
.reparation, as well as b,id activity. y,
mount Of popular enthusiasm can decide
inally the contest, by ole brilliant stroke
loI can the mere sentiment ol the People put
IN enemy to flight, OF triumph over military
kill and training II reversss c1me,-Is they |
llw4ys do tn some exteut, IN warning ,ainst /
power not inssnifelnt,-;hey are to tc /
,orne with courage and equanimity.
These truths, so o'yious IN themselves, We
ire slow to learn Tie blame for our re-
-er.es has been laid upon every surposable |
,ersoo or persons. The soldiers, the gener-
Is, the President and Cabinet oficers,-all |
nave been accused OF hIgrant offences, while
title allowance Is made for the varied chances
If war. Yet in the midst of the changes that
Ire rapidly passing over Us, we are learning
hese truths, and they are giving a better
.one to public sentiment. and suTer hope for
,ur cause Our too boastiul spirit is chang
NJ to well considered confidence in our
ability to accomplish what we have unGer-
aiken. Our love for that country and gov
eminent we are striving to sustain, is grow
ng stronger with every eflrt that we are
making. \ better patriotism and manlicr
national sentiment is gaining possession f
the minds and hearts Of the People We are
learning to bear the fortunes of ear without
-epining or desplnding, when they chance
10 be against US, and not to slack en- efjrt or
make accusation the principal business, when
we have suffered a defeat Those who assume
the right to make such accusations, have not
that hold they once had upon the Public
mind.