The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-02-05

their iull minds on all subjects, the abridging
this right by arresting those who exercise il.
without process, and without any legal com
plant against them, is, we believe, as u genera
thing, unwise, injurlng the cause it was inten
ded 10 serve, and multiplying tho evil 1t wa.
employed to lessen. No single thing the Gov.
eminent has done stree The war commenced, has
contributed more to the recent Democrat til
tumphs in the central and Western States, than
this. The men who have bee arrested, if suf.
fered to 60 at large, or the papers that have
been suppressed, if allowed to have continued
aheir publications, woald have wrought less
mischief than these arrested persons and their
friends have done, by proclaiming themselves
che victims of tyranny and the martyrs Of flee
speech. Persecution, or what seems or can be
made to appear as persecution, is a most potent
iustrumentality in building up the cause it is
employed to overthrow, and strengthens the
very principles it assais. This is true under any
form of Government, but more especially it is
true, under Democratic instit utions.
We do not mean by this to say that a great
deal Of harm lie not done by an unlicensed press,
and that if it could sometimes be justly, and To-
gally, and wisely restricted IN It's work Of evil,
much good would not ensue. But the question
10, how to do it wisely Blu, this question is so
difficult, and SO seldom solved for the public in
terest, that tho experiment Of trying it has
nvaI boyo III aho OF
the evil has rec Jiled and done more execution at
she hreech than at tbs muzzle. The people Of
+his country have always been educated in the
creates, freedom Of speech, and they have profit
ed by this education 30 far AS to practice IL
censs that ia in many instances disreputable !
enough But the corrective for this evil does
mot lie in force, unless that force is applied by
popular opinion.
We are aware that the Administration has
had must difficult and delicate task to perform
in determining the best mothod Of treating the
dislcyal citizens of the loyal States, and among
candid and honest, and intelligent men, the
rigor it has employed, and the power it has rs.
sumed in arrcstlng persons for alleged dsloyal
ty, have not created any prejudice against it.
Such persons, if not approving the course pur-
sued, have considered that it was prompted by
a desire TO aid the cause ia which we were all
and have still remained stoadfast in
the support of the Government. But a set Of
lisloyal men, cunning and unscrupulous poll
.ciaDs and secretly active emnissaries and allies
Of JEFF Davis, have deztrons!y turned these ar
rests 10 good accoun: in creating and strepg then
ny political opposition to the Administration,
which they hope now to make useful in GRIP
olias the Government aud CON polling surren- 3
Ter to the Southern traitors. And We believe =
t President Lincoln should tomorrow, an =
pounce that no more persons elther North or Z
south, except within the lines of our armies. t
houd hereafter be arrested, except, as hereto =
ore, upon accusation OF crime, he would take
rom these NJrthern traitors thsir most potent 0
Weapon, which thoy now employ to aid JEFF '
DAVIS. 8
Let us not be understood as at all apologizing 6
or, or justfying any person or paper working n
gainst the government, or lntimatng that they h
rave in any ease received punishment greater u
han their deserts. We are only discussing h $,
re.tjon in the light of policy and expediency ; c.
nd 60 Judging of them we cannot help believing $,
bat the Administration has made very serious q
,istake ia this matter To he sure, we are q
ware thai an executive, possibly little more {,
rm. en- rgst;c, aud strong wlled than Presi d
emit Lincoln, m ght have SO popnlarized MIN
,lf and bis administration. and 50 consolidated ~
10 loyal sentiment of the people, and 80 ap-