Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-02-07
A CANnID LErrER-

The following letter from Hon A. s. Owen,
a republican member Of Congress from New
York. addressed TO Hon. James Dunn, is
worthy Of careful persual The statement
made 10y the President that there was "but
one man in the country more anxious for a
battle than himself, and that man is McClcl-
lam will be particularly gratifying at this
time, when the people are growing impatient
over the long continued inactivity Of the army
on the Potomac AN impotence which is un-
necessarily fed by those who are constantly
finding fault with the President and the Cen
eral-in- Chief Of the army. The truth is the
very men who are most active in their de-
uunclations Of ihe manner in which the war
is conducted, are those who know the least
about it, and are the best satisfied when they
get correct iloa. a camor was raised in
Congress by those opposed to the manner in
which the war was conducted, and a commit
tee appointed to investigate it. This clamor
was caught up by certain presses in the coun-
try and is stili kept up even after the COM
miuee have satisfied themselves that the plans
which have been disclosed to them are the
best that could be devised. We commend to
the country the advice of Mr.. Owen, to trust
TO the skill of men quite as anxious for vic
tory as any Of us can possibly be, "with
more knowledge Of the means by which it can
be attained"
The second part OF the letter, also, has in
it considerations which should not be over
looked by those who are seeking to turn the
war for the SUI preston Of the rebellion and
the restoration of the Union into a crusade
against slavery. The issuing Of a general
proclamation Of emancipation to the slaves
would efectually crush out what Of love for
the Union still exists in the seeded States,
aud strengthen the hands Of the rebel leaders
by verifying the false al rms with which they
have been poisoning the Southern mind, and
make for the federal army implaeable en-
emles Of those who would otherwise rejoice
to throw themselves under its protection
Such proclamation, or even one emancipa-
ting the slaves Of rebes,-those who are
openly IN arms against the government,
would not free those slaves while they re-
manned in the hands of the rebels, but must
be carried to them and enforced at the point
of the bayonet. Wherever our armies shall
advance, the slaves of rebels are already sub
ject to confscation, and will be taken under
the protection of government, and employed
in government works, OF otherwise provided
for as shall be deemed best when the time
comes for deciding the question.
There is no need Of so much unnecessary
anxiety respecting the future of slavery. The
progress Of our armies will settle that ques-
ton; and we much prefer that it be done by
the army, and under the military authorities.
rather than by the President or by Congress.
Let Congress and the Administration keep
within the limits of the Constitution, and while
seeking to punish those who are in arms against
it, look well to it that they themselves do moi
overstep any of its bounds. This is a wal
for the supremacy Of the constitution and th'
restoration of the Union, and not for the pur-