Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1863-07-02
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THURSDAY, JULY ,, 1868.
From the Daily Herald OF July 1.
Vermont Copperheadism.


the paucity of their numbers by the viru-
ence of their sentiments.
The New York EgpresS has been con-
sldered among the most Indignantly cop
perry of the copperhead papers of the
North. James r. Brooks of that sheet
was expected to make the great speech at
the convention last week in Montpelier,
whereby the people of Vermont should be
taught the lesson of their duty to their
imperllled country The democratic
principles of the day, it was supposed,
would be authoritatively proclaimed, and
democratic patriotism instilled into Ver-
onters, by this former Whig-this quon
dam chief lantern-bearer of "Know-
Nothingsm" this old foe OF democrats,
but present good copperhead. Brooks,
however, it would seem, fell below the
standard of Vermont democracy, so called.
He made a speech which was bad enough,
mischievous enough, long enough, and no
doubt vile enough. For two hours he
rung the changes upon the familiar cop
perhead themes, northern despotism, tax
alton, conscription, &c. But he was
mild in comparison with the chief repre-
sentative and expositor, on this occasion,
of Vermont democracy, viz: Benz. II.
Smaney, of Swanton. As this was the
leading speech of the occasion, we make
room to-day for the following sketch of
it from the Montpelier Freeman:
Benz. H. Smalley was introduced, amid
applause, and addressed the convention
He dweit upon the empty firesides, the
new made graves, the destruction of prop
erty, and he said it affected him with dis
tress. He was funereal in this part of his
speech. In seeking tor the cause of this
mourning, he said it was to be found in
the spirit which was abroad, seeking to
Cypress southern men and northern men.
He regarded the southern people as his
brethren, and deprecated sending our ar
mics there to butcher them. He said the
cause of this war was to be found in the
rabid fanatcism in New England fAp-
plause.
He referred TO a resolution passed in
the Vermont legislature in 1920, and res
olations passed since, which he declared
were aggressive on the South. He
charged that Vermont, through her legis-
lation, her churches, her schools, and all
her public institutions, had assaied the
South. He cha :, ed that the course of the
systematic abuse Of the South and her in
situations. He said that Mr.. Lincoln was
an aboltionst before his election, and be-
lieved in the equality of the races, ap-
n plause and took Office with the deter
mnahon to make negro as good as a
white man. He said Mr. Lincoln lnaugu-
rated war. The South had no notion of
invading the capital. TCries of "no, no."
yves, yes"
He then recited some incidents in the
early part of the rebellion; to show that
the South were in the right and President
Lincoln in the wrong, especially in refer
enoe to supplying Fort Sumter with pro-
visions. He said President Lincoln had
provoked the war for the very purpose of
7 ruling the South by bayonets, and thus
free the negroes He said the southern
Il ers were descended from the Normans,
and were brave race, and argued that
they could not be subdued; and he talked
mournfully of taxes and loss of life, as
reasons why the Government was wrong.
He inquired what had become of the
hrrf ylsl, cn1 70 H..
cratic conventions. They had got one
hand in the treasury, and were supporting
the government. He called them q shod-
dy democrats" For himself he dis
claimed being politician. He notified
these democrats that they could never
again belong to his party, unless as pri-
Yates. He wanted to be able to 90 to
bed and not be in fear OF a Provost Mar
shal, Fort Lafayette, Or the tax-gatherer.
IApplause.
He said the southerners were dlfficnlt to
catch, and fight like the devil when
caught. Applause. The army was TO
oe paid by Northern sweat and toil-a,e
have got to pay the taxes; the South
wouldn't pay 1.-THE negroes wouldn't
pay it.
He next asssiled the couscription law,
and thanked God for President Lincoln's
lmbecihty. Applause. He said that he
mad not strength and grasp enough of
mind to assume supreme power
lie also stated as an important fact
on the authority of Mr. Phelps of Bur
hngton,-that Mr. Lincoln's name did not
appear IN the law reports of Illinois. and
argued from this fact that he wasn't fit for
President.
lie here introduced a figure, drawn
rom his familiarity with oard-playing.
winch was readily understood and apnre-
ciated by the convention.
lie said the Government had not con-
9oered the South, but it had conquered
me North. In States where parties were
@oout equally divided, freedom of speech
anu 'he press, and democratic conventions.
the