Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1862-04-04
The Conquered Territory

nrcoresses and the old flag is once more
planted on the soil so lately torn from the
rTn;op. the question arises in the minos
of many. "How shall the reclaimed states
he governed 2" Upon this point there Is
a adversely of opinions. We claim-and
VIA think we are with the majority
the secession, or rebellion, OF state
legislature, does no, disfranchise state
or people, as a state or people oO'
those only who have committed ac's o.
treason. Such and only such have iost
rho nr;ceIess heritage which the Union
gave them. The reasonable ac's oil
governor, or the unlawful enaetmehts o.
legislature cannot forever bind the peo-
Mo of the state. It may bar them tor
time but till such lime only as they can
pstber themselves together and institute
,ew order of things by electng new
agents of the popular will and setting Tue
wheels of government once more ID uio'
ton. A legislature is not state MOI Is
the governor they are It's agents. 'ney
are ameuable to the people for all their
do;ngs. while the people are wholly III
denendent Of that body when 1t assumes
powers no. delegated to it. A common
corporation, we know, IS responsible LOT
tho acts Of It's agents. In the case OF
government and people, however, the or
der is reversed the agents are alone re-
sponsible.
We have here giver our views on this
new question of state rights because many
claim that the rebelllous states, having
seceded and thrust themselves beyond tue
,ola If the constitution, are no longer
states. and must therefore be goverhe"
nv territorial law the same as before tneif
admission into the Union. We do not
believe in the doctrine. II they are
states once they are states always or al
least until they can conquer their lhde'
nerdence or are suffered to depart with
the consent of all. We do not believe,
and never have believed, that any state
has left the Union. We are not now
fighting to reclaim territory, for we have
lost none. Those states are IN the Union
until they can conquer US. Our armies
are mere agents to suppress the rebellion
and TO punish the rebellious' When we
speak of retaining state 1t Is done as
convenient form Of speech, without M
tending to imply really existing tact
such as the language might seem to con
vey.
When people talk Of establishing
territorial government over those state
which have passed secession ordinances
they lose sight of the fact that we are
fighting for the maintenance OF the On'oI
which our government has not yet &C
knowledged, and will be slow TO acknow
ledge. "A dismembered. The rebellion
states are not yet out. They are out on
" in name. When they are ont an fac
recognised abroad as such, they are ma
ton of themselves. The war now BEN
vaged, then becomes war OF conqne'
losing the holiness that now invests 1t an
becoming a gigantic tyranny. As tn
war progresses, and the traitors, as We
as those who are made to appear so, ar
brought again underth dominion and th
protection Of the old flag, they must
considered states as ever, not as terrific
ries. 1t may be necessary to appoint
military governor, as in Tennessee
keep matters quiet, TO attend to our II
,erests, and to protect the loyal, unit
they can put themselves in such rosl''C
as not to need federal aid. A milltal
governor will not then be needed, and
should not be suffered to remain in til
capacity, provided of course that the pc
ple ara loyal. Where they are not, |
the bayonet be the law and the gosp
until such time as they repent in dust ar
ashes.
There is one phase of this terrtori
question that we like much. Ii the r
tellious states have lost their rights al
are remanded back to territorial tuielag
they are subject to congress, and becon
mere province of the United State
which has the right TO abolish SLAYER
"the cause of all our woe We a
pleased with the idea. Ii congress Won
assert its power in regard 10 the slav
and proclaim freedom to all, it could n
more fully harmonise with our views
with the people at large. But it "
never do that. We should like to ha
ten or twelve less states aud as many
ditional territories, if the total aboliti
of slavery, that contamination so
voutlv to be wished" gave any Toxic
of speedy accomplishment. But
see no sign Of speedy emancipation
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