Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-05-29
For the Watchmbu.
PAPERS ON THE WAR-Nu. VI
BY AN OLD GENTLEMAN.
Support tie Executive.


Another imperative duty devolving upon
the people at this time is that we give a can
did and liberal support to the measures Of
the Executive Department Of our Government
for the suppression Of the rebellion. This by
no means implies blind unreasoning acqui-
essence to everything proposed or done by
the Executive, but we ought by no means to
condemn the acts OF the President without
candid examination. The Constitution con-
fers upon the President very extensive powers
both civil and military. He is charged with
execution OF the laws, is commandcr-n-c chief
OF the army and navy Of the United States,
and with the consent of the Senate. has the
appointment Of oil the principal officers Of
the Government, and Is liable to impeach-
ment by Congress. for the neglect Of the du-
ties or abuse Of the powers conferred upon
him. All these extensive pow ers are essen
tlal for the public safety, and IL becomes the
duty Of every good citizen 70 sustain the
President in the performance Of all his lawful
acts. The disloyal and the disafectod will
adopt a different course, they will resist when
they can, and oppose when they dare, and
when open resistance cannot be attempted.
they will critcise and condemn the measures
Of the Government, create If possible dis
trust ia the minds OF the people and 10 every
possible way impede tnt President IN The
proper discharge OF has duties. When we
find men 80 inclined to act. it. is our duty
closely 10 watch them. In this day Of peril
we can form no high opinion of the patriot
ism Of those mon, who can find no other
mode Of expressing their political sentiments.
except to rall and swear about Ahohtonists.
crucise and condemn every act OF the Admin
is'rauou, and rejoice at every reverse of our
armies.
Il should be considered that President
Lincoln commenced hs administration under
ditiicuiuo, greater than any OF his predsces-
sors aud Unprecedented in the history OF our
country. If in sumo instances he bias failed
IN calling the wiaest statesmen tn his councils
or selecting the ablest generals for the field,
+ It is not strange and If some Of the plans OF
his administration have not proved successful
1t is nothing more than might be expected I'M
der any administration. But after all, Moth
/ ing can be shown bnt that bis intentions
were patriotic, that he we'll deserves the pop
ulat epithet of honest. neither can any instance
Of gross blunders or want of capacity ~ his
conduct be pointed out. Escaping from the
assassiu's knife aud bludIeun. at Baltimore
he has not shown a vludctive spirit towards
his enemies nor deposition Co carry on the
war ilr purposes OF malice and revenge, or "a
mrtcenary aud seIf,h purpose Co speculate
uyou The miscrics OF his country, OBJ accumu-
late fortune by peouhtions upon the trcas-
ury.
lttus now examine q few OF the measure,
OF the admin trauon which are most com
planned of by traitor, %, the South, and az,
made the rallying points of the di-aH.eted q
the North. No measure ut ihH Pfesi tent
appears 10 be more severely criticised arc
condemned Toy the dissllected both North an,
Sou h than his famous Emancipation procla
nation Of the first of last JANUARY. What.
ever may DE said against this reclamation,
cannot 1e alleged that the President was hasiy
nr manifested a revengetul spint in issuing
it. He had repressed the haSty zeal of som,
OF his generals, Fremont, Phelps and Hunter
who had adopted some measures attack ~
the institution of slavery. he waited unit
rebellion Lai ragged aimoot two years, uuu
our armies had sustained several di,astfou-
rcpulses, the loyal States actually invaded
tur capital mrnacrd, and al last when all hop
",i ncltlatlun was gune, when murder. ban.
Ishmt mt and tenor had stfed alb manifesto.
tiuns OF Union feeling al the South, he ISSUED
tins Proclamation. And now are we prepared
to condemn the measure IL Is aSshiled by
indictments win various reasons 1t Is sal
{" be lmpuhtc' cutting on all nope OF rec
oncihauon or restoration OF 'he Union Ih"
, II Is oruel ndI oArons' contrary TO me rules d"
vac among c''ihzed nations ana hnaIIJ' 'n'
stereo'yP'd charge IS brought zap thAt 10 o.
nncon." uhon"i' we viii examine tae''
sever" oVec'onS'
AS to 'hr thecl ms proclamation VIII nave
b"'h at nome ana Abroad tne fIes'dent ah
ms anlnc' nave or ought 20 nave neile
means "i inlo'mauon' ana De more c'p"ole "
Jdds'nH 'hAn ot"erS' Judging from what W.
, can Learn OF me 'enlments Expressed IN hn
! rope me eject mas oeen "'otaoie 10 ou
cause 10 the menus OF frPuohe'n ln'i'n
uohS abroad me existence u slavery mere
q has ever oeeh SUBJECT Of regret ana man,
= on mat account nave been inclined to donp
me sincerity OF our professions OF regard io
40 riy an" abstract r'sh' whist the enc
m'p' u 49, ''l' '"e P"','e. '''HH'S u
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a. o"''0'us 'N'p"'' Wv ''''' P''o' '''' ne
49, Nv '0'' F''''O''"'
,re
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aue Nv SS"o f'"1eu 0'' 'n9 WV w.