Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1862-04-15
Then and Now.

Then and Now
One year ago the fierce conflict, in which the
Nauon is still engaged with the rebels in arms,
commenced. On the 10Th Of April, last year,
the traitors opened fire on Fort Sumter, On the
18th Of April that Fort surrendered, the Stars
and Stnpes beng hauled down, and supplanted
by The emblem Of treason. On the l4th Of
April President Lincoln issued his proclamation
calling out rs ,O00 troops to puI down the rebel
hon Aswe look back upon the year just ended,
and run over in oar minds the events that have
mode it so memorable not only in our own his.
torg, but in the history Of the wogld, it hardly
seems that the Nation is but twelve months older
shan when the trial Of battle commenced The
terrible experiences Of the year have so burned
themselves into the memory of us ALL that il
would DO idle labor to recount them. But the
contrast between the Nation then, and, by the
Nation, we mean the Government and its loyal
adherents aud the Nation to-day is so strk
ing that we cannot fail to gam some instruction,
much consolation, and much to strengthen our
faith in on- Ultimate and speedy success, by a
brief contemplation Of it.
Ono year ago, South Carolina, Georgia, Flor
ida, Alabama, Louisiana and Texas had passed
ordinances o! secession. The Confederate Gov
crnment under jeff Davis was in full operation
at Montgomery North Carolina, Virginia,
Tennessee, kentucky, Missouri and Arkansas
had governors who refused to respond to tho call
OF the President for troops, and four Of these
States were making what haste they could TO
Join the fortunes Of treason. Some Of the best
officers in the United States regular service had
itary stores aud ordnance belonging to the Uni
ted States, had been stolen and turned over to
the service of rebellion. Thousands Of troops
had been raised and drilled in all the secedcd
States. For four months, every energy OF the
chiefs Of the rebellion had been openly devoted
10 strengthening treason, as Tor years previously
it had been secretly working to the same end.
The result wasthati monster rebellion con
fronted the Government, threatening aud put
ting in imminent peril the Capital Of the Ma
ton. while that Capital was cut of from the
thoroughly loyal States by the treason Of the
chief city of Maryland. Arsenals, forts, Gus
tom houses, mints, all along the Southern coast,
had been seized by Confederate troops, and turned
over to the Confederate authorities
The North was, Notwithstanding the warnings
ofmunths, found comparatively unprcpared to
meet the storm. II had neither arms nor men
IN the field 1t had not believed it possible that
Americans could commit 30 gigantic crime as
30 strike at the Flag Of the Union. lt had
hoped that the South was only playing itta
moro earnestly nc Us old game Of Drag and hlus-
Ter i, had wasted precious days, tina, should
have been devoted to energetic acrion, in talk
ing over de.usige schemes Of compromise and
Cancellation Ihog good ship OF state was lying
~ TIE trough OF the sen oil troubles that cuyi.
rcuul ID, where she Had been brought by Che o.
wli counsel, OF Jl.s, who had her ia charge
and .ut d moment there seemed doubt 5,ugtAe,
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