Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-01-13
Gov. Scymour's Inaugural.

Gov. Seymour, Of New York, in his inaugur
al address, thus uncoyers his policy respecting
national affairs
4" Not only is the National lie at stake, bu
every personal every family, every sacred inter
est Is involved. The truths Of our financial ant
military situation must not be kept back. Their,
must be no attempt to put down the free ex
preston Of public opinion.
Allrighted at the ruin they have wrought
authors Of our caIamties, ut the North and
South, insist that this war was caused by al
unavoidable contest about slavery, This hai
been the subject, not the cause OF the controyor
sy, We are to look for the causes of the wal
in peryading disregard of the obligations o.
laws and constitutions, in disrespocts for tht
constituted authorities, and above ALL IN local
preludlccs which have grown up in two portions
ol the Atlantic States, the two extremes of oul
country There is no honest statement OF oul
difficulties which does not teach that our pe0pl,
must reform themselves MS well as the conduc
Of the Government and the policy of our ru
lers.
It is not too late to save our country, if ",
will enter upon the sacred duty in the RICH
spirit and in the right way. When We do, tn,
eject will be seen and ielt throughout our lane
and by tho civilized world, We shall thcr
strengthen our COVER ment, we shall weaker
the rehelllon,. 1--WE shall unite our people, ans
the world will recognize our capacity Tor self
government when we show that we are capable
OF scll-relorm Where it is the right OF oul
government to decide upon measures and policy
1t is our duty to obey aud give ready supper
to the decision. This is u vital maxim OF lib
crty.
This war should have been ayerted, but wher
It's llood-ga,ts were opened the ADMINISTRATION
could not grasp its dimensions nor control it
sweep. Government was borne along with The
current aud struggled as it best could with tn,
rcsistles tide. Few seemed able to compiehen,
It's military or financial problems Hence We
are not to cit in harsh Judgment upon error
in conduct or policy Blu, while wo concede al
these excuses Tor mistakes, we are not to adop
errors, nor sanction violations of principle. Til,
same causes which extenuate their faults il
judgment must make us moro vigilant to guafC
against their influences .
The Governor then urges that economy ant
integrity in the administration of affairs ar,
vital in war, aud says that mcddling aud in
irisoe have lhwar,el and paral, aei the valo
OF our soldiers and ;he skill OF their Gencral
within the influence of the capital, while GU
armies have gained victories IN fields remot
therelrom.
The Governor says that the National Consti
totiou must 10 held iuyiolale and holds that ,h
rights OF States must be respected as not less ga
cred. A consolidated government would des
Troy the essential home rights and liberties Of th
people.
On The subject Of arbitrary arrests he says
-" The suppression OF journals and imprison
ment Of persons have boon gatlngly partisan
Conscious OF these gross abuses, an attempt ha
bcon made 10 shield tho yioators Of law an,
suppress inquiry into their motives and conduct
'ahs attempt will fail. Unconstitutional act
cannot be shielded by unconstitutional laws.
shall not inquire what rights the States II
rebellion have forfeited, "a, deny that this 70
blllion can suspend single right OF the citizen
OF the loyal States | denounoo the doclrin,
that civil war in the South take. away from the
loyal North the benefits Of one principle Of civ
II liberty. u is a high crimO to abduct eiti
Ien Of this state. II is made my DUTY BY III