Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1862-01-03
GEN. PHELPS AND HIS PROCLAMATION.

GEN. PHELPS AND HIS PROCLAMATION.
Gen. J. W. Phelps, who left this State
as Col. Of the lst Reg, and gave such
decided satisfaction while in command at
Newport News, has made blunder which
has raised question as to his soundness
If mind. In charge of military expedi-
ton, he landed on Ship Island near the
mouth of the Mississippi, he issued a
proclamation, the substance Of which seems
to be, that in his estimation, the time has
come for slavery to be abolished. The
Brattleboro Rhenia, to whose editor the
Gen. was personally known, says of him,
and his proclamation gf7r f
The unnecessary and foolish Proclama-
ton of Gen. Phelps is source of NOR
LITIGATION to the many admirers of his
military skill and talent in this State, and
to none more than to his personal friends
who have known him intimately from his
early youth. Since the appearance of this
singular document we have noticed that
several of our exchanges ascribe it to the
insanity of it author, charitably believing
that no man of his conceded professional
ability would commit such mistake if of
sound mind. Those best acquainted
with Gen. Phelps we'll know that he is in
many respects singular, and that his &C.
centricitles are as mnch the result of here
ditary influences as of education and hab-
it. Upon the subject of Slavery he is an
Abolitionist in the ordinary acception of
that term. Of the wrongs, outrages, and
barbaric character and Tenderness of the
peculiar institution he has thought much,
and he has never hesitated to avow his
sentiments thereon. While in the army
he suffered both in his intercourse with
his brother officers and in professional
promotion by too free utterance of his
sentiments on this subject, and upon his
own admission, he was led to tender the
resignation of his place in the army from
these causes. ...sss. 'aa
Some years since Gen. Phelps translated
from the French De La Hodc's work on
work on secret political societies as they
existed in France, and his studies in that
direction had led him to place great stress
upon the adverse and corrupting influences
Of such organizations. Upon this subject
and that of Slavery he has for many
years entertained and expressed so de-
cided opinions that in some quarters, and
particularly in the army, he has been
credited with insanity, especially by those
who sought to superccde him. Hence
probably the vague reports of his insanity.
Gen. Phelps is an earnest and sincere
man. He loves integrity and truth and
despises shams, oppression and wrong
wherever they may exist. AS an instance
of his sense of justice and his aversion to
all that savors of mere outside show, we
may remark that he persistently refused
brevet rendered him by the government
before he left the regular army. He has
q way with him amounting almost to stub
bornness of calling things by their right
names, and of charging guilt upon evil
doors whatever may be their position in
society. AS man and as soldier he
stands above reproach, above suspicion.
While at Newport News he enjoyed the
confidence of Gen. Butler, his superior
officer, and won the warm personal friend
ship of every man in his command. His
Proclamation is, in our judgment, the
fruit of his peculiar views and intense
hatred Of Slavery. 1t is the result of
an cratic tendency that has long existed.
In all the practical details of war his
peculiarities will only manifest them
selves in the ability with which he will
serve his country and discomft her ene-
mics.
az We give M credit Tn tho stotemnnt