Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1863-08-28
Ghe 6ree 4ress.

BURLINGTON
FRIDAY MORNING. AUGUST IS. 1863

Lesson from fifty years ago.
That the Democratic party of to-day. as
such, is opposed to the War, can hardly he
denied by any candid and intelligent observer.
Thus far the opposition is confined to unmeas-
ured abuse Of President Lincoln, attempts to
stir up resistance 10 the Draft, and in ccner-
al constant cndcavprs to stir up disafcction
among the mssees by snecring attacks upon
the most important measures Of the Admin
istration and the most earnest supporters
Of the Government at home, or in the field.
But there are indications that more active
and direct opposition Is contemplated, If not
already organized. This has been foresha-
dowcd far several weeks pas, by the disl1val
presses, :he N7es, the U'orId, the Expresses,
and their h"wlinS tribe, and the cat was dis
tinctly let out Of the bag at the Democratic
Convention in Maine, wnere Gen. Anderson,
the next friend Of the nominee for Governor,
rorehod for M Brod5ary's being opposed 10
fbs war ,r,'aavf qualification. and said he
,rould tate fio same stand as Cor Seymour
Of Ne,r YorE and other Democratic Sates,
and that ,cFeu ncy ,ri,bdrelo their troops
from prosecuting the 'rGr, M Bradbury #
elected Gorc-n9r ,7ouH lrifbdralo the troops
Of Ma,ne.
The conc5cters Of this pretty programme
may find that III all this they are reckoning
without their host. They will do well to
look hack to the history Of the war of 1872,
and to learn from the record and the fate of
the Federalists of hat day, the ruin that
inevitably awaits any party, no matter what
its antecedents, that opposes the Admins
tration m time Of ,cGr.
One page Of that record. on which a Co.
vernon of Vermont figured not altogether to
his credit, we commend especially to the at
tontion of Gov. Seymour, and the would-be
governor Bradbury of Maine.
In the fall Of 1913, the war then being in
active progress on our Northern frontier,
brigade Of Vermont Militia, the third, OF the
third Division, which had been drafted into
the service of the United States, was ordered
to Plattsburg, to replace a force of fifteen
hundred New York Militia which had b en-
sent forward to reinforce Maj. Gen. Hamp-
ton at Chateaugay. The Brigade was re-
viewed by Governor Galusha, in this town,
on the 9th of September, and on that day
and the next left for Plattsburg. In Octo-
Der, there having been no election of Gov
ernor by the people, Martin Chittenden Of
WIliston, the Federal candidate for Govern
OF, was elected by the Legislature by a
majority Of two votes. In his message he
took strong Federal ground in opposition to
the War and the measures of the General
Government, maintaining especially that the
militia were designed exclusively for the
service and protection ofthe respective States,
and he carried out his principles two or three
weeks later by ordering the Vermont Militia
h7ck 10 the7T homes. His proclamation TO
that effect was carried to Plattsburg by
Sheriff, also Brig Gen, Davis, of Milton,
and copies Of it distributed among the Yer
mont troops This soon came to the notice
ofthe commanding officer OF the post, and
the distributor of the documents having left
The camp guard was sent after him. He
was brought back, as was reported, with his
icgs tied under tie belly Of his horse, and
after an admonirion that be was in bad busi-
ness, mis- printed copies Of the proclamation
Were destroyed before his face and be was
sumnarily dismissed to his home 4 reply
+" the order was Immediately drawn up.
written, IN behalf Of the Vermont troops, by
captain Gaicomh Of St Adams. and signed
ny ID nla';r o?tie Oilers Of the regiments
In tins reply the Governor was informed dis
".s'y that the Vermont soldiers considered
naelves in the service Of the United
-''' That 'ney doubted his right - order
- nome TAT they considered the order
-'' .l'ai' 'hl: they could nut understand the
"''eFooF o'3eet unless i. was to enbarrass
" '''''ln'nent and that they did not pro-
pose 10 Obey the order or to leave tho service
o. the country till legally and honorablv
di-charre,I.
-, ~ '''' ''n-r. doubtless finding himself
f'e'ioee 70 eitOrce Obcdience. took no fur
'Nte IN the matter, and the militia took
0"I TINE to come back, when the close