Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-02-28

Of those who have chosen me- as their Chief Magistrate
When long course n class legislation, directed not
70 the general welfare but to the aggrandcmcnt Of the
Northern section Of the Uninn eliminated in warfare
on the domestic Institutions o. the southern States
when the dognas Of sectional party substituted for the
provisions OF the constitutional compact threatened 70
destroy the sovereign rights Of the States ELK Of those
States, Withdrawing from the Jnion confcdc'ated to-
selher to exercise the right and perform the duty Of in
stitutng government which would better secure the
liberties for the preservation Of which that Union was
Whatever Of hope some may have entertained that a
returning Of justice would remove the danger with
which our rights we're threatened and render Il possible
preserve the Union Of the constitution, must have
been drpcilcd By the maignty and bafbauy Of the
Nofhcm states in the prosecution of the existing
The confidence Of the most hopeful among must have
been destroyed by Inc disregard they have recently OK
hbitcd Tor all the time honored bulwArks u civil and
lieous liberty Bastiles filled with prisoners arrested
without civil process indictment duly found the writ
Of habcas corpus suspended by Executive mandate a
State Legislature controlled by the mprsomentof mem
beers whose ayowed principles suggested the federal
Executive that there might be another added TO the list
Of seeded States elections held under threats Of mi
tary power civil officers, peaceful citizens aud gentle
women ncArc rated for opinions sake, proclaimed the
incapacy Of our late associates TO administer govern
ment free liberal aud humane that established for
our common
For proof of the sincerity OF our purpose to maintain
ancient institutions, may point the cousttu-
tou of the concdcracy and the laws enacted under ~
well 20 the fact that through al the necessities of
unequal struggle there has been act part 10
mpair personal liberty tNe freedom Of speech 81
thought or OF the press The courts have been omen,
the peaceful citizen maintained securely II
Of invasion had not disturbed the land.
The people Of the states confederacd became
WINGED that the government Of the United States had
fallen into the hands " a sectional majority who would
peryert that sacred Of all trusts 10 the destruction
u the rights which IL pledged u protect They be-
eved that to remain longer IN the Union would subject
them 10 continuance Of dspataging Discrimination,
submission to which would be inconsistent with their
fore determined tabsads aud establish new
confederacy for themselves.
NNrUaN
Ola voluntary union OF sovereign States f purposes
specified in solemn compact, hal been perverted by
those who, feeling power and forgetting right, were de
tefmin,d 60 respect 30 law bat their own will The gov
crumeut had ceased the ends lr which it
ordained aud established To save ourselves from rev
oluton which, Boz is silent but rapid progress, about
o. place under the dcspousm OF numbers aud 10 pre-
serve in spirit we'll n form. a system VI govern
ment We believed to be peculiarly dttcd 90 our condition
aud full Of promise for mlndkiud, determined 20 make
new association composed Of states homogeneous in
interest, IN policy and Boo ieeiug
True to traditions Of peace and our love Of justice
sent commissioners the United States to propose
fair and amicable settlement Of all questions Uf public
debt or property which might be in dispute. But the
government at Washington denying our right TO self
government refused even 60 listen 10 any proposals Tor
peaceful separation. Nothing was then le TO us but
l 20 prepare for
hef year IN our history has been the most event
fu IN the annals Of this continent. new government
has been esabfhed audits machinery put Ia operation
over area exceeding seven hundred thousand square
miles me great pimtlpi's upon when we nave 9eeh
willing hazard even thing that Is daar have
made COuQuests for which cpul1 never have been
achieved by the sword Our conf,dcracy has grown fon
six thirteen States. end ayiund. already united 10
rs BY haa0iref memo tes end nileriat iateesfs, rH
beere oheji a5f 10 sDelk nth Ugtffsd r0ict, connect
her destiny 10Th h. SOUTH Our people have rallied
with uneXamp ed uuaniuy 20 the support u great pn
cipes Of constitutional government with firm resolve to
perpetuatc by arms the rights which they could not
peacefully million 81 men, it Is estimated,
now standing iu hostile array, and wlgng war along
frontier of thousands N miles Battles have been fought
sicge' have been conducted and ahoh t1e coH'tst -
not tdtd and me tds or he agIiHSt 10, das
fHai result al oiv ftryr rs no, aou5.fat
The period Is hand rhe foes must sink
der fhr load Of de5f ,rhich they hare incurred
debt which n their c r 20 subjIglfe has alrcady
attained such fearful dimensions will subject them
buhens which must continue 10 Cypress them for gene
rati0ns TO come.
We, too have had our trials and difficulties That we
20 escape them u future is not 20 be hoped Ii
to be expected when we entered upon this that IL
would expose people 20 sacrifice and them much,
both Of money aud blood But knew the value VI the
object for which We struggled and the nature
Of the ia which engaged. Nothing could
be bad failure and any sacrifice would be cheap
/ the price Of success in such contest.
But the picture has its lights well as its shadows.
This great strife has awakened in The people the highest
emotions and qualities Of the human soul. II is cutya-
ting feelings Of patriotism, virtue aud courage Insian-
Of sesacrhce aud u generous devotion % the noble
cause for which oouending are rife throughout
the land. Never has people evincei more determined
spt than that nov animAtng men, women and ,hilden
in every part OF county Upon the hst call the men
fly and wives and mothers send their husbands
and cons 70 battle without o murmur Of regret.
II vas, perhaps in the efiuaron Of Providence that
be taught the value OF our liberties BY the
price which we pay for them The recocctOns Of this
great contest with all its traditions Of glory OF
sacrifice u blood will be the bond of harmony and en-
daring affection amongst the people, producing unity in
policy, fraternity IN sentiment and joint ef1rtin
Nor have the material sacrifices Of the past been
made without some corresponding benefits Uthe 0cQi-
Of foreign nati0s pretended blockade has de-
lprlred rs Of commerce ch them, q Is flst Hdkidg
as solt-suJTOritHg and Independent people. The
blockade il efectua and permanent could only
divert industry from the production Of articles flr
export and employ 1t in supplying commodities for do
nestle
II is satisfaction that we have maintained the war
by unaided exertions. We have neither asked
received assistance from any quarter. Yet the interest
involved is wholly our own. The world at large is
concerned ia opening markets 10 its commerce,-
When the independence uf the Confederate States is
recognized by the nations OF the earth, and free
TO follow interests and inclinatons by cultyatng
foreign trade the Southern States will offer 20 manuac
turing nations the favorable markets which ever
invited their commerce Cotton, sugar, rice tobacco
provisions timber and naval stores vi" furnish attractive
exchanges Nor would the eOnstancy of these supplies
be likely 10 be disturbed by Our confederate strength
will be too great TO tempt aggression and
them so iuy to a peaceful policy those Of the Con
iedeale States By the character Of their productions
they too deepy Interested in foreign commerce
tonly 10 disturb it. War OF conquest they wage
because the constitution NJ their conedefacy admits Of
no ooerced assoiation Ciru war there cannot be be
tween States held together By their yoiton only This
rule Of voluntary association which cannot fail b,
conservative, by securing just and impartial government
Al home does not diminish the security OF the obiga
tons by which the Confederate States may be bound
foreign nations In proof Of his Il is 10 be remember
ed that at the 6rt moment Of asserting their right
secession, these States proposed settlement on he bdS
Of common habih tor the Obligations q The genera
government.
Fellow citizens AFTER the struggle Of ages had conse
Grated the right Of the Engshman to constitutional
preventative government, colonial ancestors
forced TO vndicate that hhught by appeal to arms
Success crowned their efforts and they provided for he
postery peaceful remedy against future aggression.
The tyranny Of an unbTdled majority, the most odiou
and least responsible form Of despOtsm has denied
both the right and the remedy. Therefore il
arms TO renew such sacrifices fathers made 70 thu
holy Of constitutional liberty. AT the darkest bou
Of our struggle the provisional gives place TO the perma
nen government. AfeFa " sUcceSs and Uioto
RES uhich e0Uered Nth glory, haze recent
y met oi serious disasters. But in the heart Of PEG
pie resolved TO be free these disasters tend but to smu
late 10 increased resistance
To show ourselves worthy Of the inheritance bequeath
ed 10 by the patriots Of the Revolution, must emu
late that heroic devotion which made them bu
the eruoible in which their patriotism was refined
With confidence in he Wisdefa and virtue Of those VIII
will share with the responsibility and aid in tn
conduct Of public affairs securely relying the patri
ots and courage of the people which the present
has furnished many examples foel deeply the weigh
Of the responsibilities now with unaffected ditdence
about 10 assume aud, fully realizing the inadequa
cy of human power to guide and T. sustain my hope
reVerenty fixed Him whose favor youchsaed
4 the which is Just With humble gratitude
alteration, acknowledging the Providence which has 5
vsby protected the confederaoy during its brief bu
eventful career, to Thee, Oh God, trustngly comm
myself and prayealy invoke Thy blessing on my eoar
e try and its cause,
lz9- Lord Pslmerston, in his speech befor