Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-07-07
The DntY Of Citizens.

the way from New York TO enlghten the Democ-
racy Of Vermont, at their late Convention, as to
their duty 10 the present state Of the country,
dweli, 10 his warm efforts on that occasion, with
great fervor and JUNCTION upon the assertion that
he owed no allegiance to Abraham Lincoln and
be mentioned, as conclusive argument to estab-
,h his proposition, that Mr.. Lincon's name was
not found 10 any authorized print OF tie Consii-
tuition Of the United States. AT this point in his
speech, whether approaching the felicity of the
orators disectics, the keepness Of his wit, or the
pungency Of bis sarcasm, the Democracy opened
their mouths wide, ito quote lively gentleman
quite conspicuous during the convention and in
dulged in laughter and cheers.
New it doubtless ,ver occu rred to the Hon
James that all the force Of bis logic, or his wit, or
whatever other name bis sharpness may be called
by, consisted in a sorry bubble. 1t is true
enough that no man owes allegiance to Abrtham
Lincoln, and that his name is not found in the
Constitution Of the United States and we do not
know anybody SO particularly ignorant as to at
tempt to maintain the contrary of these self evident
propo itons. But it does not follow, therefore
that Abraham Lincoln, constitutionally chosen
President Of the United States and legally in.
Quoted into that office is not thereby clothed with
authority as President, and, as the Chief Execu-
tive Of the Nation, has not right to demand and
expect, from all good citizens, aid and support in
the discharge Of the functions of his Office. As
Abraham Lincoln, he is entitled to no more res
pect now than before his election, and 80, il it
were mere question about the excellence Of one
Of bis jokes, or the pertinence Of his anecdotes,
there ia no doub, that Hon. Mr.. Brooks would
be under no obligation to praise the wit or the
narratives Of Mr.. Lincoln.
But the unfarness Of Hon. James logic con-
sisted in arguing from this undensble proposition
to the conclusion, that he owed, as a citizen, no
duty to Abraham Lincoln, as President Of the
United States. This is not true. Every good
citizen should obey the lava and the Constitution,
and the President Of the United States. He
owes allegiance 10 these for they are, for the time
being,the Government of the United States and be
cannot disobey them without being false to bis al
legiance TO the Government under which he lives.
Resistance to them is criminal just as much as re-
sistance to a sheriff is a crime against the law,
whose executor for the time the sheriff is. And
any attempt to distinguish between the Govern.
ment and the Administration for the time, to say
that we should obey the one and not the other, is
not only attempting to make distinction where
there is no difference, but is disseminating, in these
times Of great public peril, most pernicous and
dangerous political heresy.
+ And il by no means follows from this that
people have nothing to do 10 the present emer-
gence but TO obey orders. that they are not re-
sponsible for disaster to our arms or for the sue
cess Of treason, that they cannot advise the Al
miDistration respecting its course, criticiss its
shortcomings, urge it to greater and better direct.
I'd energy, and even rally unsolicited to the de-
fence Of the Republic. On the contrary, we be-
leve under our form Of Government, these are
the peculiar duties Of the good citizen. But he
should act In doing this, conscientiously, seeking
to strengthen and not weaken the Government.
Governor Morton, of Indiana, recently said ;
The criticism Of one who s friendly to the
Government, and who is anxious that il shall SUI
coed and be p eserved, and who points out It's en-
rors II ordsr iha. they una, he corrected, 10 who'll
ly different from that denunciation which seeks
10 bring the Government into contempt and rem
der il odous to the people, thereby Withdrawing
from II It's life, when struggling in battle with
powerful enemy. The one can never be mistaken
fol the other.
Gov. Morlon's distinction is undoubtedly the
true one lndiscriminaie praise and censurs are
mischevous. President Lincoln has suffered ss
much from the adulation Of the New York Herald
as from the ridieule OF the New York World, and
neither Of them have sought the public good in
the course they have taken. Both Of them have
sough, personal or political advantage, and have
employed the agency they thought hest to attain
that end. But honest, manly praise or censure
cannot harm the Government or strengthen il,
enemies.
Il Is also true that people should now be char.
table IN judging the men in high office at Wash.
ngton They are charged with tremendous re-
sponsibi,es, greater than rested on the Shout.
ders Of any Of their predecessors. Buchanan, and
the party With him in Office, bequea,hsd legacy
Of war to Mr.. Lincoln and his Administration,
aud they have had to struggle agaus, the adverse
current as they beat could They should there.
fore be judged kindly, and condemned, il at all
with mercy. But, most Of ALL this Judgment
should be for the purpose Of aiding, supplement-
ing their efforts and not for the purpose Of weak.
ening them and rendering their exertons rutless,
The people are the residuares of power 10 our
government, and they ought, il the Administra-
ton comes Short to put forth their reserve force
, in aid Of the country. 1t may not be enough, it
is not enough, we think, now to simply answer
acquisitions from Washington. The Adminis,ra-
ton is charged with the duty Of saving the Re-
public. But the work may, !. certainly will prove
too much for it, unle. the people and the
States give II every help in their power
counsel, assistance, men, money, and, IL possible,
something worth as much AZ either, wise aud
discerning forecast, that shall prevent pancs by
prud ntly preparing for possible emergencies Of
danger or defeat to any Of our armies in the field.
Holding to these opinions Of the relations Of