The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1863-04-03
Copper Heads.

have shown that we have in our very midst
this rep,ilian class of politicians of the most
noisonous character. The latent treason that
lurked in the bosom Of too many at the North
at the commencement of the rebellion, but
who then talked loudly of their patriotism
and proclaimed as the basis of their political
as It raS, is beginning to show its hydra head
in open hostility to the government and the
prosecution Of the wal These men know
perfectly we'll that it was against the consli-
ru,on 0S II is and the Union as 1t acaS, that
the master spirits of the rebellion were wa
ging war, that they ignored the action of our
forefatl.ers in making slavery sectional and
freedom rational, that they claimed that the
early founders of our government were mis-
taken in their views on the peculiar institu-
ton, and tha. slavery instead of being a
curse, was moral social and political bles-
sing, christianizing institution of Divine
origin.
They then knew that the only ground on
which the South would consent to remain in
the Union as part Of the government was
that the government should legalze and ma
tlonaize slavery, not only in the territories
by passing laws for its protection, but in the
states; so that the Lords of Creation should
be permitted to call the roll of their slaves
under the shadow of Bunker Hill. The
leading spirits of the South used no disguise
but frankly assentel to and recognized the
doctrine proclaimed by Mr. Seward, viz that
there was an irrepressible conflict between
the two civilizations and that in the end either
one or the other must overcome and uproot
its antagonist, and we become either a ma.
ton Of treemen or nation acknowledging
slavery as our chief corner stone, and that
because they could not force the people to
nationalze slavery they came out in open
rebellion to the government. Yet these pre-
tended patriots had the audacity, under the
deceittul cloak of loud professions, and the
cry Of the constitution as 1t is and the Union
as II ,cas, to harp upon and recommend con-
ventions and onpromises, very we'll know
ing that these would accomplish nothing,
unless We would give up the very principles
for which they professed to be contending.
What did these demagogues mean by COM
promise with the rebels when it was the
very basis Of their proclaimed faith that the
rebels were endeavoring to overthrow. They
meant just what then they did not dare to
utter, but now boldly proclaim. They meant
not the Union as it was but the Union whole,
subservent and submissive to the slave oil
garchy; Union which would make the
n.u& ills of the North more humble vassals
to I've Southern aristoracy than the enslaved
Poles are to the autocrat of Russia. Hence
We see many Of the boldest, bravest and
most ardent of these precious patriots who
reside near the fountain head of treason at
tie NO!. h. aid who give the cue to their
the Empire state to reinstate the blessed and
divine institution in their midst This class
of men, while they have no word of condem-
nation for those arch traitors who have
throw otfn all pretensesof allegiance and
would destroy every vestige of our govern
ment, make loud lamentations over the ar
rest OF a few traitors and spies at home who
ought to have been hung long ago, and about
the infringement of the constitution while
they think it too much for southern traitors
to ask that the constituted authorities of the
government legally elected under the forms
of the constitution (as it is) should be turn
ed out of Office to give place to authorities of
their own stripe, elected under the revolu-
tionary acts Of traitors as a condition of the
perpetuity and unity of this government
These supple tools of treason justify the reb-
els on the ground that since those traitors
have made open and determined war upon
the government, the administration has made
some honest mistake in regard to its powers
under the constitution; and they are driven
to this absurd and iimsy excuse for the rea-
son that for long time prior and up to the
commencement Of hostilites, the friends and
abettors Of this treason had been in power
and had the control of the governments so
they fain make these alleged unconstitutional
acts, relate back to some antecedent date to
shield their dear southern brethren. Away
with such nonsence. These men, whose oc-
cupatlon. like Othelo, is gone, and who care
more for party, place and power than they
do for their country and their God and who
wish to be deemed loyal to meet future party
contingencies, are very sensitive when called
by their right name. Many of them who
lave raised up noble ana patriotic sons
whose generous impulses have prompted
them to offer their services to put down thi.
unholy rebellion, who are ready to lay dowr
their lives if need be on the altar of thei
country, after doing all they can to dissuad'
them from their purpose whiningly say ain
patriotic? have got son at the war;
Others who have succeeded in inspiring thei
offspring with the base and ignobe principles
Of their own nature, publicly declare that il
case Of draft, they will see their sons sho
down in their own door yard rather than hav
them serve their country; thereby demon
stratng that they hate their country NOR
than they love their sons.