Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-03-24
Green nlt, freeman
Copperheads as Peace Makers.
MONTPELIER, VT.
Tuesday Morning March "a, 1863


fine things about liberty. the Constitution and TIC
Union, and talked eloquently against the des'
potism Of Lincoln's Administration, after having
pretty uch exhausted himself in assailing the
Admnisu on and everything connected with
the war. at at ventured to elucidate the copper
head programme IN this way
The only hope is in a return 10 peaceful co1n-
sells, and to secure the return Of those counsel,
the cry should 90 forth, from one end OF the land
20 the other I've have bad enough OF tnls
death struggle" But what Is to be done, they
may say, after you get cessation O. ho'tIiles
We cannot, perhaps penetrate the future ana oe
able 10 see at this moment what can or sholld ue
done. But allay the passions which war engen
ders and we shall be al no loss to find way. uod
will help us. (Applau,e.) It's not by force OF
arms that we are to have another Union out ny
force of reason. Reason hides herself in these
days, a poor, naked, shiyeTng thing, AMID the
peltinp OF the storm. Go to your army and they
will tell you they have had enough Of slaughter.
Brave men will tell YOU this There has not one
battle been fought since the war begun whether
in their favor or against them, that doubts have
ouerng the South. Some Of them remember
what Chatham said OF the rebcIIious colonies.
They could not forget, either, nor should We iol-
get, that the men on the other side OF the lhyd-
ious line are Of our own kindred also, md re-
fecting on these things these men Of whom am
speaking, who are, many Of them, looking TO Com
necucut and hoping for Democratic triumph
here (Appause)-these men begin to doIoi the
morale Of the war Is it for freedom, or ia IL the
the work Of Cain in a multiplied vast and fearful
form2 The ipt may push it on, but the words
Of Christ shall rebuke the pllplss thunder
Blessed are the teace makers, for they shall be
called the children Of God" TREMENDOUS APP
pause.)
We hardly know which most to admire, the
pety and affected simplicity Of the speaker, or
the enthusiastic love for the peaceful teach
ings of the New Testament, exhibited by this
Connecticut audience Of copperhcad Democrats.
/, has been, ever since our remembrance one Of
the chief boasts Of the Democratic party that
il WIS in favor Of Z" the last war" while the
Federals we're the miserable sneaks who opposed
it. The Democrats were in favor Of the war with
Mexico, and il was the cowardIy Wings who OPP
posed it. Democrats have always until now been
the bellgerent party, ready at all times to stand by
the flag, wherever and by whomsoever aSaIed
--atd have been so bellieose at times as to invite
war, that through it they might gain new renown
for their party, and new military glory for tie
great Western Republic. They believed in the
mission OF this infant giant of the West-not a
mission Of peace, but mission OF empire and
that, in its course Of empire, it was the prerOgn
tive Of the great Democratic party to carry i.s
standards and win its victories. Caleb Gushing,
standing as the Apostle Of Democracy, said tn
destiny Of this nation was to march, march
march," perpetual tramp wherever fresh
fields and pastures new invited, and enthusiast c
young Democrats cheered the sentiment to the
echo.
But how has the party changed. Instead Of
the proud war-Aorse, with dated nostrils,champ-
ing the bit, paving in the valleys, smelling the
battle afar offaud rejoicing in the midst Of armed
men, we find the copperhead variety of the latter
day Democracy gentle as q sucking dove, cult.
vaiing the grsces and the fruits of peace stop.
ping its ears to shut out the horrd din of battle,
subsisting upon diet Of milk and vegetables
abstainiug utterly from oil begerent meats and
drinks, grating Olive branches into all the stout
and gnarly oaks that have been its pride in year.
past, and piping in dulcet strains the beltudes Q
the Gospel Of Peace to admiring aud cheering
audlsnces ofroughs aud rowdies gathered to 81
under it's preaching. We confess, at first sight
this sudden change seems to be the miracle o
our day and we are inclined to believe accordin.
to the story told by Daniel $. Dickinson, that tn
leopard can indeed change its spots,--when he
gets tired Of one spot he can 60 to another.
But when we investigate this sudden conversion
little more closely, we do.not discover the cheer
ing evidence Of the change Of heart which som
Of its public utterances might lead US to beliey,
in. The particular fighting, of which it has Goa
ceived such sudden horror, is the war which tn
Government is making upon traitors in arms an,
their sympahissrs who with such refreshing i'm
pudence attemp, to cover up their treachery I'm
der the sacred robes OF Divine teachings
devils who attempt 10 lead men aslray by per
versely quoting Scripture, after the fashion o
their ancient father. They denounce the Govern
nent for its efforts to sustain itself against rebel
and cry out blessed are the peaoe.makersl
But why cannot they at the same time quot
Scripture at jeff Davis, and inform him that thos
Who take the sword shall perish by the sword
This jeff Davis, whom Mr.. Seymour is pleased
to style "our owp kindred pretends to be a
pious as Mr. Seymour himself, and why not IT.
him with select readings from the New Tesla
ments
Probably, however, this would not suit the pur.
pose which this Connecticut candidate for Gov
ernor has in view. There is only one kind o
peace which he and such as he are working for
and that is peace which shall ensure the success
Of JEFF Davis and Slavery TO this end the,
would, II they could, disarm the Government an,
rsadsr it poweress to resist the attacks Of rebel.
Smsoth-iacsd and oily-tougued villains, they stan,
By and witness the struggle between those VIII
are spholding the flag, and those who are stry
irg TO tear it down and pluck star after star from
iss constella.sd glores, and advise the Govern
ment to throw down its arms and leave that a.,
to be torn and trampled by traitors. They hav
sa one word Of encouragement for the Draw
hssrss Who are unfolding that starry ensign, bu
they do what they caa to unnsrye their ARM