Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-02-28


six years of the permanent government Of
the Confederacy. Gloomy indeed are the
prospects under which he assumed the chief
position in the government which the rebel
conspirators are attempting to set up on the
ruins Of the best Government the light Of the
sun ever shone upon. They have attempted
to overthrow the Government Of our fathers,
consecrated by the blood Of the revolution
and hallowed by nearly century Of unequal
led peace and prosperity, and seek to build
to themselves new Government based on
the unnatural and unholy System Of human
Slavery. Our fathers fought for independ-
ence from despotism and tyranny, that they
might secure to themselves and their posteti-
ty the blessings of freedom and free govern
meut. The rebels in arms would reverse the
noble work of the revolution, and re-estab-
lish the despotism which was then so signal
ly thrown of, and fasten forever the chains
which bind the enslaved. The last act in the
drama, so far as the designs of the rebel lead
ers could be carried out, was on Saturday
consummated in the Inauguration Of JEFF. Da-
Wis to the Presidency of this new Govern
ment Even while the almost absolute GER
tainty Of defeat stares them in the face, they
mock at their fate and plunge on with the
reckessness Of mad men to the doom that is
sure to overtake them.
Never was madness so desperate. Beleaguer-
ed on all sides defeated and driven back at
every point their strong holds, no longer
available, are abandoned discomfort, disat-
/ lection aud almost open mutiny in their
armies leagues Of loyal men in their own
midst, awaiting the approach Of the avenging
rod to smite down their oppressors pane
and dismay throughout their whole domain (;
financially, morally and civlly driven to the
wall. they still affect a show Of success, and,
shutting their eyes to the devouring flames
which eneircle their household, enact the
farce of inaugurating permanent govern
ment, "-"permanent only in the mad con-
ceptions Of the chief conspirators.
From the first, large part Of the State Of
Virginia refused to be dragged into the de-
structon which had been prepared for the
State by traitorous Governor and treach-
erous Legislature. Kentucky, which was
counted as sure for the northern boundary Of
this new despotism, remains true to the Gov
eminent Of the fathers, and the rebel lords
that sought to overrun and subdue the loyal
ty Of her citizens have been driven back in
disgraceful defeat or made to pay the penalty
Of their disloyalty as prisoners Of an unholy
warfare on that Government which has ever
protected them, and which only held out to
them the blessings of peace and prosperity in
the future. Missouri, though nominally in
the hands Of the rebels, has been cleared Of
the rebel armies, and is to-day ready to re-
new her allegiance to the Union and the Con-
stitution which a false Governor and Legisla-
ture have attempted to throw off. Tennes-
see, also is defenceless against the conquer
ing march Of our western army, and the 10y
atty of her citizens demands that this unholy
warfare shall not deluge her soil and al
though held by the iron heel Of the rebellion
despotsm, is awaiting but the opportunity to
cast off the yoke of the oppressor and return
to the protection of that Government which
she never willingly deserted. Alabama stand;
with waiting hands and willing hearts to vel
come the downfall of the rebellons tyranny
which was FIRST inaugurated on her own soil
North Carolina is shut in from the sea-coast
by the Union army of Gen. Burnside, while
the loyalty Of her citizens was never quenched
but only subdued In Virginia, and even il
Richmond. where is the center of the new
Confederate Government, the secret loyalty is
only bound down by an absolute terrorism
which can brook no opposition. At first com
PEELED to abandon their promised seizure o
Washington. and throw themselves on the de
fensive. they are now forced to weaken thei
stronghold at Manassas to strengthen thei
defenses 10 the original seceeding States
South Carolina, the mother Of treason, and
Georgia are at the mercy Of the loyal armies
The Gulf coas: is invested, and the whole are'
Of the rebellion is virtually shut in from thu
rest Of the world
Such are the prospects under which jeff
Davis assumes the chair of State in the rebe
Government We need not carry out tn,
picture. The future is too gloomy and too
portentous for an enterprise conceived in sin
famed into being by terror and inaugurateC
with no pomp or show of enthusiasm, to neeC
} prediction The rebellion begins to topple
; and its expiring groans are already hear'
/ from center to circumference and when tn
first anniversary of the Inauguration of tn
( new government shall have arrived, it re
l quires no very keen foresight to see that tn
whole thing will have been engulfed in it
own impotency. The days of the Souther
; Confederacy are numbered it is to-day les
of a reality than when first it took up it
abode in Richmond, and but few shor
= months will surely see it returning to its orig
inal birthplace defeated, dishonored, dis
graced, dead, its leaders paying the penalt
of their crimes against both God and ma
either in a felons cell or forever exiled fror
their native land. Such is the glory that to
day encircles the brow of JEFF. Dsvis,-o
, honored and respected by his countryme
throuOhout the length and breadth of th