Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-04-24
For tha Wa'chmau.
PAPERS ON THE WAR--.No. w.
ny Az OLD GENTLEMAN.

a sore evil and presses heaNitY upon US. we
have already sacrificed millions of treasure
aud thousands Of lives more precious, and
I further sacrifices are called for. Discomfort
and divisions are beginning to appear among
US. Ihe tmd fear draft and the misery
broad taxes and interruptions in business,
and selfish politicians a. d demagoguos are
ready to combine al, clements of discomfort
and impede We prosecution Of the war
What Is to be done Some cry out for
peace, and some few demand peace on any
terms. We all desire peace but can we get
IL, and how are we to obtain il. Some are
base enough and bold enough to advise us TO
recall our armies from the South. and either
dsband them OF retain only small force for
defensive purposes. The only effect that can
follow this course would be that we should
lose all the important conquests we have
made and be ourselves invaded, and the
Western States and Pennsylvania would be
overrun and pillaged by the starving guorril-
las Oh the South. some recommend that we
negotiate with the South, and acknowledge
the independence of the seeding States, and
. let the maynard sisters" go. But can we
agree on any terms OF peace Where shall
We draw the dividing line What States
shall VIC give up, and what shall we retain
holding States, even 20 Delaware, and that
all slaves within our lines be given up, and
that all slaves that shall hereafter escape into
our territories shall be returned to their mas
tors. Can we submit to such demands, and
surrender the border States, where undoubt-
eddy a majority OF the people are for the
Union Can we surrender Delaware and
Mary land TO the South II so, we must
abandon Washington and the Capitol What
shall We do with Western Virginia, which has
Withdrawn from The rebols and cas-, her lot
with us. Shall we abandon the noble Ken
tuckiuus, who with devotion equal to the
best days OF Greece and Rome, took up arms
or their country when they had sons and
brothers in the ebcl armies Shall we give
up Missouri, which has suffered so much for
the Union, and is now taking measures to
abolish slavery in the State; Every senti.
menI Of interest, honor and duty forblds our
submitting to terms like these.
SIpposing the South give up these border
States to US; sull other questions will
arise. Can we rrvnder Fortress Monroe
and Hampton Roads. The power which
holds thosc points virtually commands Chess
apeake Bay, ard If We have not the command
OF the CnesapeaKe we may as vol aban don
retain them. Shall we give up Key West and
the southern cape OF Florida; We purchased
FLORIDA Of Spain more than forty years ago
at the expense OF five millions Of dollars, and
have expended Unity millions since ~ driving
out a few struIng Indians because they har-
bored fugitive slaves and endangered the sale
~ of the "iannhar institutions" OF the South
A great portion OF the territory of Florida is
h.ttu laa h,t a
the southern points Of Florida are important
possessions Ton commercial nation. len
Northern vessels probably have visited Key
West To one southern ship, and we can never
surrender II to any power IT We wish to retain
any trade to the Vest Indies or to the lsth-
mus OF P4uama. And further, what arrange
ment can wc make, or over can be made. re-
spectlng the navigation OF the Mississippi;
Il is Impossible that two nations eau mold
possession Of different parts of this river. and
ever live in peace.
II the Onion Is divided another grave
question viii arise from the different commor-
cal systems winch the twu nations will adopt
he Federal Government has ever fehed
upon duties ON imports as prime pal source
OF revenue. The true Iu trcsts OF the cunn-
Try require OF Us such course for the pro-
lection of our own manufactures. We shall
De Obliged TO depend, inc, great measure, upon
duties on imports 10 enable us to meet the
interest ON the heavy debt we are now con-
tracing. Free trade has ever been the cry
OF the south. The -hrst revenue acts Of the
Confederate Goyernm MT imposed but iil 1T
dates on imports, but they levied tax on
exports, IA ther vanity suppJslng that by tax
ing their exports OF cotton they could make
the whols world their tributaries The South
has no manufactures 10 protect. wants none.
lhclr debt they never Gun pay--nuver intend
To pay. They will practice upon The olJ les
son, taught years ago by their President to
the state of Nlsslsslppi, and repudiate their
debt. Free ttadu ana light duties, Or no du-
ties on imports, will be their policy. How
Is this To hafmpnize with our arrangements
and polio, Can there be one commerci,l
system followed al Charleston aud New Or
leans. and another at Philadelphia and New
\ ok Ii this division OF the Union is ever
effected, the only course the two nations can
adopt to maintain their revenue laws, and for
iher own defense, Is to establish custom
house on every road, and line of forts and
gairlsons at every important point, Fl ON the
Atlantic coast to the Rocky Mountains This
I"hould impose on each naiiun the butthen of
maintaining Standing army OF one hundred
thousand men. peace attended with such
difficulties would be but little better than the
war we are now waging.
/ Another objection TO the idea of peace
based upon division of the Union, is that it
would not be of any duration. The ink on
the parchment on which the treaty is written
will scarce be dry before fresh causes of
quarrel will arise Parting with feelings of
tl-will, the two sections will long entertain
feelings Of hostility and revenge towards
each other. The remembrance OF wrongs
suffered ills inflicted will long rankle in the
minds of the people ON the frontiers. Diff
cnlties and disputes will daily arise on our
extended frontiers. Smuggling will be car
red on across the lines; seizures will be
made resistance will be offered bloody
Trays will occur slaves will escape, and in |
some Cases will be pursued by their owners
and tamult and bloodshed will be the newt .
able consequence. The navigation Of the
Mississippi, TX it on what principle we may /
would alone keep US in a constant state Of /
turmoil Two boats, belonging to the diff .
ierent sections, come into collision, and one
OF them is injured. Such questions. and |
many others, may now be settled by a suit at .
la huf J. Itv,. -.