The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1862-11-17

stone oflthe traitors Confederacy
We need cite but one instance in confirmation
of this view although the instances have beer
almost innumerable, and in the first year Of th
rebellion gave an UNMARRIED character to tn,
ar,-the modification Of Gen. Fremont's or
der declaring free the slaves of all rebels in hi
department. Up 10 that moment, although
Democratic politicians and papers had occasion.
ally and fcebly defended slavery, the North wa,
nearly unanimous in its support of the mos,
energetic measures for the suppression of trea-
son and no opinion was more generally re-
ceived and applauded than the declaration that
slavery had made itself an outlaw, desc wing
no quarter or favor in the prosecution Of the
war Up to that moment the people were
waiting tor some grand, significant word of
authority and command. that, like rushing
mighty wind, should drive the kndling flames
of patriotism southwark, scorching, burning
AMI consuming treason in the terrible fire of
a7enging justice Up to that moment the pro-
slavery politicians were power!ess to resist any
effort the government might determine upon in
the suppression Of treason, AID if the pres-
dent had adopted Fremont's proclamation, or,
still better, made it national and authoralive by
announcing it beforehand az the determ; nation
of the government and had made the army, the
navy tie cabinet and all the executive officers
OF the republic the obedient instruments Of
such decree, we believe he would have stided
ID Its infancy the pro-slavery, political conspira-
cy against his administration, and made the
North unit ia the grand progress toward Free
dom.
Politically, we believe the modification of Ere
mont'A proclamation was the turning point in
the war, at once, as it did, aiding and comforting
the apooglsts for slavery, and apparently giving
a national sanction to the efforts of those who
were endeavoring to save the institution; and the
ad nis'ration and the country are now gather
ing the bitter fruit of this hesitating, waiting,
doubling policy. The administration then
yielded to a pressure from without thus exhib-
ting It's own weakness and immensely increasing
tine numbers of its political oppnnents and in
slting d fercer resistance thenceforward to
any step toward emancipation. 1t lost the gold
an opportunity of making ,be North harmoni-
'us, and opened the way to the politca strifes
Th'ch have since so embarrassed the war, dis
missed Generals, and kept unfit officers in com
nand, and caused the war to langnish and drag
'ut its weary length, till many good men have
almost begun to despair of the Repu bic.
We havealluded to this action upon Fremont's
'rder because it is marked and characteristic
Instance OF this general mistake of the admins
ration, IN attempting to concilate anybody,
md, more especially, its political enemies, in
he conduct OF the war. 1t thus ostits prerog-
Itve Of leadership, which at that moment would
nave commanded obedience, and, taking the
lde OF patriotism at its food, led on to fortune,
md came down TO the miserable business of
econcling the conflicting opinions and preiu-
Ices OF politicians. From that moment, it no
onger led the people, but became the sport and
prey Of these contendng factions, balancing its
avors and It's utterancss between them, giving
neither the strength and prestige of it's hearty
cooperation, but frittering away its influence,
and wasting Its strength in the vain effort to
lay the storm which its own rresolutenes had
ct loose upon the nation. Supposing it's anti
slavery friends would more patiently bear re.
Dukes and rebuff, than its pro-slavery enemies.
t heslated but title In its action against Ere.
mont and Hunter, but waited till the Republic
was plunging to its ruin before it removed Nc
'lelian and we need not multiply instances
't the same fatal policy, which the last twenty
months have developed, as they are fresh in toe
minds Of every one.
We have written this in no unfrendl mess to
the administration. We are aware of the i'm.
nenso responsibilities that have devolved upon
It. We believe Mr. Lincoln has most conscien-
tiously and honestly endeavored to lead the ma
ton By the best paths to its delverance But
we cannot therefore be blind to what, we be-
lleve, has been, until recently, the terrible mis-
take of his administration The attempt to con-
cliate the Democratic. party, and thus make
and keep them loyal to the government When
he came into office ne was the leader of party
that had swept with an unparalleled political
victory nearly every free State. Tho pro sla-
very party of the North was hopelessly defeat
ed and scattered, and tho pro slavery party OF
the South was In armed rebellion against the
government. And it was the duty of the ad-