The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1863-01-02
The Object and Necessary Result.

The Object and Necessary Result.
IN coming from Salisbury, n. G., few
N a.a> ago, fell in with a very intelligent
company of Southern men, officers in the
army, ranking from captains to generals.
They said without any qualifications that they
a4. no confidence in a republican or demo-
cratic form of government-that there was
10. enough Of despotism in it to give to it
}erpetuity, and that for this reason it was
destined 70 90 to pieces and that it had now
cone to the point where its greatness must
b" cc.lpsed and disappear forever These
o!ic,rs were representative men beyond
doubt, men in the highest walk of So
ciety, thinking men and deeply in earnest.
The plan then is this: First, by the doctrine
b: state sovereignty to shatter the old gov
eminent, then by the despotic principle and
power to compact and consolidate the frag-
msnts into the colossal empire. The first and
.os2al result of final victory on the part of
the South, will be the dissolvng of all gov
ernmental ties between states. This will be
. complete overthrow of the government.
loG may try to think TO the contrary and
reason to the contrary as much as you please.
Such vii! be the overwhelming fact, and it is
:or this reason say that actual sympathizers
Of the South wherever they may be, ought to
be indiscriminately hung. If the South tri-
amlh there will thereafter be no more United
States Government, and the same will be
true Of the Confederate States.
The principle of state sovereignty will pre-
Va. over the whole continent unless the reb-
e> are able to inaugurate despotc govern
Meat, But this cannot be done at once and
/ not at once it never can be. An absolute
monarchy can never find permanent foot
@, upon this continent. The mission of
America is the working out of freedom for
a. and the complete destruction of all rank
I'D caste as founded OH wealth, education,
race and color. The South cannot inaugu-
.ar a despotsm. Therefore if the South are
Nctorious the state sovereignty doctrine
passes from an observation to fixed fact.
And now what must be the result 1t will
'- impossible to hold the remaining states in
,.e MON, Or permanently together on any
basis, In spite of all reasoning to the con.
t:ary, general government will be only 9
crsature of circumstance and convenience
And this is just what the South are contend
~ ;or, namely, to put all government be-
'5ad that of the state into the hands of tht
,,4'r as a mere tool The morale Of govern
m,at and the basis of the Union are gone
AID as consequence will lose its power O
co1esoA. This is something which cannot
' heped if the rebels are successful. Il
w.. then be fact that all government be
y.d that Of the state will be demoralizet
l .@. destroyed. The general government vii
1T tc able to say to the last member, yos
'2~, not 20 out of the family Of states.
When this falling to pieces takes place
which may Heaven forbid, then affiliation
F.. take place on other bases. Not betwee
e old government and other states but be
'Hrcn different states as principles of atflia
,.a hall exist. These political anteceden,
"... {. some eXten. be controlling principl
lis differentiation. States which hav
."-.. controlled by the democratic party i
atra-dislinction from the democratic pril
tr.y will be drawn together midst the smok
>ea upheavals of the present hour. Th
c2ancy is already seen. These states wi
"mp7thize with the South. New York vi
"A - ue..ng to the Southern Confederacy If
il te doctrine which created that confeder
toaWlll dissolve eit.) but twill sympathize vii
L. md league offensive and defensive vi
Jo uttered into, and therefore, if the Sou
4 De s.c,orious conceive it possible for slave
4 . nc introduced into New York again. Th
DO not believe would be the case, for l {
10, believe that on an impartial trial t
siam democracy would control New 70
l >he. But wherever this controls,
i South will find friends and allies.
|, is evident also if the Union is dissolve
I "e question Of slavery is not dead. In
l 0e leagues which shall be proposed
\ S'1'h will claim the protection of her favor
X institution, and this she will make the 81
4 3Ha non Of an offensive and defensive a
/ aoce' And she will be able to present gr'
!. 'odQcements. If the Union is broken up