The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-08-28
WINDHAM COUNTY.
Restoring the Union.

Tue burlington OcHttHet, awhile since, mRQ6 the
following statement
The Republican press of this State stand COM
mitted to this doctrine, that disunion is prefera-
bic to the old Union left us by Washington.
We do not propose to discuss this particular
charge, although, Of course, we utterly deny its
justice or fairness,-but employ it as the occasion
for expressing our views upon the general subject
Of restoration of the Union views which in the
conflict of parties, if not yet In the strife of arms
may be timely. The sham Democrats are forcing
these questions upon the public attention, and
discussions which otherwise should be. postponed
until the traitors themselves offer them for solu-
ton, may not be inopportunely spoken Of at the
present moment.
l. The administration Of the Government OF
the United States, charged with the solemn duty,
"a duty which it cannot, short of criminal unfath-
fitness to its trust, evade-of maintaining the
over every foot of territory in the national domain,
cannot make any terms with traitors in arms. I'm
conditional submission to the authority of the
Federal Government must be required of every
traitor. The dignity and majesty of the Govern
ment can be maintained only by this vindicaton
of its supremacy; the stability and peace of the
Union hereafter can be ensured by nothing short
of this complete overthrow Of the rebellion. AS
one who has never abandoned Republican princi-
pies, we declare that we ask nothing more than
this, and shall be content with nothing less. And
this, ia our judgment, is going for the "Old Union
left US by Washington" Union in which uncon-
ditional obedience to the Constitution and the laws
,Oas eracted of every citizen, South as tell as
North.
e. But we are told that the confscation meas
ures of the last Congress, and the Emancipation
measures OF the Administration, are in the way of
restoration of the Union as it was, and the Re-
publcans are charged, therefore, with not only
not desiring, but with having rendered impossible,
a restoration of the old Union. This to our mind
is groundless assumption without foundation in
reason or fact.
What is the "Union as it was"P Is it any
thing more than Union of States under the
Constitution, whose citizens compose the Federal
nationality and are under equal obligation to obey
all the laws of Congress and all lawful require
menls of the executive authority? This is GER
tainly the +" Union left us by Washington" a
Union in which the Federal Congress has the
right to enact laws concerning treason, and all
other subjects within the limit prescribed by the
Constitution and the Congress does not lose this
right during a rebellion. A restoration OF the
Union as it was" then, cannot have any fair, or
honest, or possible Specification, except that is is
to be Union under the Constitution and in ODE
dience to all its requirements, including the obi
CATION to obey the laws of Congress, and such
pr ocamations of the President as are Of binding
force under the Constitution. The legality OF such
laws and proclamations is to be alone tested, as
all questions of Constitutional law are to be test
ed, under our form of Government, when the
proper case shall arise, by decision Of the Su-
preme Court Of the United States. That tribunal
is the ultimate resort of minorties, in this free
government, against unconstitutional laws or pro-
clamations whenever the smajority resort to such
measures, and its doors are open as well to trait
ors as loyal men. Let us give an example. Sup
pose North Carolina should repeal its ordinance
of secession, establish loyal State Government
in authority at Raleigh, elect two loyal men Sena-
tors to the Federal Congress, and send loyal Rep
resentatives from each Congressional district in
| the State to the House at Washington. So far