Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1862-10-30

things has gone by, trust, and gone thank
God, never TO return, (Applause.)
venture to express tho hope and opinion
that this war is hencelorth to be carried for
ward upon the recognized principles OF war;
principles that allow you 10 dsarm your enc
my so far as you may be able to do 1t; prncl-
pies that authorize you 10 wrest from your en-
envy all that can do you harm; those prnci-
Piles that allow You to strike your enemy as Of
ten and as hard as you can. This IS IN SC
cordance with the rules and usages of warfare,
and trust the rebels are hereafter TO be Ne
garded as traitors, and not merely as erng
brethren, engaged in an irregular opposition 70
the Government. (Appause.l
trust that they are to be treated as eglm-
mails in the eye of the law.-crminals before
the bar of the public exposure of the world
criminals before the great tribunal Of eternal
Justice. For tell me if you can what higher
and blacker crime can mortal man commit
than he who plots the ruin of this, the most
benefcent Government on which the sun has
ever shone. OF what higher crime can any
one be guilty than that of attempting to over
throw the glorious temple of our Liberty
reared by the hand-cemented by the blood,
and consecrated by the prayers OF our Ia
theirs.
1t is from all these indications, indications
coming from high executive and military coun-
ellis coming from that higher authority also,
and by that more potential voice, that speaks
the demand of the popular American heart, |
assert that this country is TO be sustained, and
has already gone forth in the recent Proclama-
ton of Freedom, everywhere received with Joy
and unexampled unanimity. (Applause.) This
is to be the slogan influence, by whose IN
SEPARATION we are to march on TO victory.
But some one may ask, is this to be an alb
clifton war answer, it is, and that am IN
favor of an abolition war. (Applause.) am
for an abolition war for the total determination
of this Rebellion. And who is not in favor Of
such war? You perhaps ask further, is it
the object of this war to free slaves and abolish
slavery | answer it is not. The object of
the war is to support the Government. The
object is to subdue the rebellion and save the
country To save the country we must down
the rebellion, and this cannot be done IN any
other way than by striking at the foundation
and if IN putting down the rebellion, the cause
| of it comes down, would not on that account
abate one whit the yigor of the war. Gap
! plause.) But | am asked again whether we
have any constitutional right TO hberate the
slaves. answer that the rebel in arms
against the Government, forfeits the right to
protection under the constitution which he
seeks to overthrow and destroy. The traitor
has no rights under the constitution, except the
sonceded right of being hung by the neck until
he is dead. (Applause.) And the sooner he
is admitted to the full fruition Of this exalted
privilege, the better for his country. Gap
| plause.)
1t is with these encouraging indications, my
fellow citizens, these more hopeful signs of the
times that am in sympathy and from these
| gain hopeful feelings rather than those pro-
duced by sitting down and indulging in a spir-
it of complaint and criticism. Let us rather
forget the errors and mistakes of the past
for errors and mistakes there have been, and
undoubtedly they have been many and some
of them grievous let us look forward with
renewed hope and confidence to the future OF
our country's destiny. Let US reJoce TO see
that the Government has at last risen to the
full sense Of the contest in which II is engaged
and a knowledge of the vast responsibilities
which are involved in 1t. Instead OF lndulg-
ing in a censorious spirit of criticism, and IN
stead of creating political strife, it becomes eur
imperative duty as good and loyal citizens 90
give to the General Government our undiuoeu
and earnest support In a strife hls ms;
party lines and party politics are noting anu
political partisans less than nothing, Let US
forget them while the war contnueg
have no respect for the mar'mho mas 'ne 3
heart to set himself to the mi'fapie "orh Oh
restoring old party organlr uohs' w,iesi ouI
brethren of all parties are IN 'he nein ior 'ile
defence Of our common Vuhtry' (Applause'
Such man is, tc say ne least, unhlhaIul Oh
bis first and creates duties 70 his country,
Our own Vermont las set an honorable ana
praseworthy eymple IN this regard, and
honor her for il and | am proud of the posi-
ton she has t.ken IN rising above party poll
tics, and gvng her support to the Executive
Governn,flt in this its hour of need. Our E1-
ecutiveG Government has the control of the war,
and ,ness that be sustained the rebellion must
, trpmph. If party interests divide the sup
,0rters Of the Government, the rebellion must
triumph, and the Union is lost. Organized OPP
I position to the Executive Government in such
crisis is, in effect, if not in act, opposition to
the war, is submission to the success Of the
rebellion, is the degradation and death Of the
Republic.
am not to be understood as saying that we
are bound by any obligation to approve or
even yield a quiet acquiescence to every act of
the executive government in the conduct of the
war. So far from it, it becomes our highest
public duty by a respectful and earnest appeal
to the Executive to ask for and earnestly insist
upon the correction of evil, and if it shall be
found that we have unworthy officers in coun-
ellis ofwar or Of state, in whatever department
they may be found, to ask for their removal.
This, far from being lndiscriminate opposition
to the rebellion, is the most fruitful service to
the country, especially when it is done in good
faith; and let us, then, in this great contest,
give all our hearts, and possessions, and lives,
if need be, for the Republic.
Let us not deceive ourselves, or be deceived
again. The Rebellion was never more formi-
dable in its purpose than to-day, and it has
gathered its strength for desperate, and |
trust it may be final struggle. 1t has forced
into its service all between the ages of eighteen