Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1862-05-22
MILITARY GOVERNORS IN THE
SOUTH.

Our Government has very properly solved
the problem as to the preservation of peace
and order in the districts conquered from the
rebellion. In the absence of any legitimate
civil power, and forasmuch as the sections are
held by military power, the whole business is
simplfed and rendered effective by being left
entirely under military rule. In good hands
this will answer, for the time being all the bene-
fetal ends of government, better than any other
method. 1t is effective, determinate, and back
ed by force which precludes even a contem-
plation Of resistance And where the military
governor is man of humane and inst princi-
pies, with adequate intelligence and discern
ment, and true republican patriotism, he has it
in his power to effect the instant restoration of
social order, peace, and industry on the very
heels OF civil strife. 1t was a wise thing in the
Secretary Of the Treasury TO transfer the whole
business of securing the cotton and employing
the deserted negroes at Port Royal to the con-
troll of the Department of War. 1t is great
thing to avoid a conflict of jurisdictions in such
state OF affairs, as it would be to prevent con-
troversy in a hospital among the wounded
after battle.
The whole country rejoices in the appoint
ment of Andrew Johnson as brigadier-gener-
al in the army, that he might become military
governor of the state of Tennessee and hopes
he will not be in hurry to relinqulsh his au-
thority but keep the staff in his own hand until
the rebellion is thoroughly subdued throughout
the state. Let the last bandit among the
mountains of Tennessee terminate his career
under military rule. The President has done
another good thing, if the papers report truly,
in sondirg for Edward Stanley. long n Member
of Congress from North Carolina, now in Cali
fornia, to come to Washington that he may be
made a 6rigadier, and be the military governor
of his native state, as fast as our ermies are
able to subdue the rebellion there. Ii is posi-
bic that there may be found a citizen of LouiSi-
ana so thoroughly loyal, and at the same time
so wise and energetic, that he will answer for
military governor of his state, now almost sub
dued by the Union arms. But the other cot
ton states will doubtless need to be put for a
while under the military rule of competent gen.
erals of purely Northern parentage and educa-
tion-men who have mbibed the spirit of lib
erty with their mother'e milk, and who have
never bowed the knee in ignoble vassalage to
slavery.
We are led to these remarks by the recent
appointment of Captain Rufus Saxton, of the
United States army, now brigadier-general of
military governor of the Southern Department,
including, at present, the whole district OF Cen
eral Hunters command. We could not desire
a more fitting appointment. General Saxton
has already obtained an intimate acquaintance
with his assigned field of service, and has given
full proof of his varied and abundant qualii-
cations for the post, by having acted as quarter
master general under Gen. Sherman during his
entire command in the Southern Department,
from the first step of preparation for the Port
loyal expedition. The country may repose
confidence in his fidelity, discretion, courage,
and patriotism to preserve the public peace
and do all that circumstances will admit for the
restoration Of the states of South Carolina and
Georgia to law and order under the Federal
Constitution
General Saxton is a native Of Deerfeid
Massachusetts. His genealogy includes many
of the most honored names in that section OF
country beside his own, which has always stood
among the best-such as Ashley, Williams,
Field, Wright White, ETC., etc. General Sax
ton is himself graduate of West Point, OF
high standing in his class, and has continued
in the army ever since. He assisted Governor
Stevens OF Washington Territory in the recon-
noissance and survey of the Northern route Tor
the Pacific Rail- o,d, and made very lucid re-
port on that subject which was printed by Con-
gress. He has seen much adventurous service
among the Indian tribes around the Rocky
Mountains, as well as in other important trusts
and has ever proved upright, discreet and pat
riotic. He has remained wholly free from that
sympathy with secessionists which has been SC
sore trial to the virtue of many army officers,
because he never let his mind get poisoned with
homage to the divinity of slavery. He will
therefore do his duty impartally and firmly
without fear or favor toward shareholders, oil
any recognition of their peculiar claims as par
amount to the rights and interests of all others
He is a sincere Christian, in the fellowship Of
the Episcopal Church, and fearing God, viii
know no other fear.
Gen. SaXton expects to sail for his post Of
duty on Thursday, (this day. in the steamer
Oriental, and will be followed and sustained b,
abundant sympathies and prayers of the wise
and good. He has the full confidence of the
President and his Cabinet, as we are well in
formed, and will be strong in courage TO do his
whole duty to all men, to God, and to his count
ry. His headquarters for the present will he al
Beaufort, S. C., until Charleston is taken, when
he will remove to that city, and there admin
ster the resstess rule of military law, until the
rebellious and progmatica little state OF SCUM
Carolina is fully brought over to loyalty anu
-Independent
Cant Ericsson has MANNED a large seagoing