Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-01-23

Patriotism forbids it; and trust God will
forbid il. cannot yet believe that He has
made that great nation for great and terri
BILE wreck, but to purify it by the very suf-
ferings it is now bearing,--to perfect II by
this terrible discipline, and to make it an ex-
ample and instrument for good, and good
alone, to all nations and people. That is the
faith endeavor to attain and cherish that is
my daily prayer; and to that exhort every
prsyerful man and woman and child who shall
happen to read these letters Of mine. This is
a depression from matters Of business but
make no apology for it. | am not ashamed
to say cast my country upon the arm of the
Omnipotent No: when the people all can
do that humbly and reverently, then courage,
hope, strength, confidence, safety they can
count upon all these-they will have them.
Our sorrow shall be turned into joy the
pious, patriotic will not despair, but pray and
trust and rel dice in God
The Wet Point Academy was very severe
ly handled in debate in the Senate yesterday,
and ten Senators (all Republicans but one
voted against the appropriation for its sup
port, the bill passing, 20 to 10. This debate
ought to prove spur to West Pointers in
the army-ior good so may it be. 1t sig
nifes the great Dissatisfaction OF senators
with the management Of the war, especially
in field management; and it is matter en-
trely above party considerations. just here
lie, me say, when Republicans and Democrats
alike are dissatisfied with results, let them
alike agree in supporting the Government in
seeking remedies and doing the best it can.
That is both common sense and patriotism.
The debate yesterday in the House on the
financial question, | am happy to say, was more
practical than political. Right A marked fea-
ture was the speech Of Mr. Ward (Dem.) Of
NY; and in this while opposed to illegal
tender" and generally to pending schemes,
he was not opposed to The country, as l count
some Of his associates to be. He suggested
commission Of eminent fnanciers, without
regard to party, to meet the Secretary Of the
Treasury and enieavor to frame system Of
finance adequate to the necessities Of the
times. This is the righ. temper.
The President sent in the reply Of the At
torney General, in respect to the execution of
the confscation act in this district. The At
torney General inclosed a letter from Mr.. Car
rington, the United States District Attorney,
stating that in all cases Of property that has
been seized and reported to him by the mill
tary authorities with a view to confscation,
preliminary proceedings have been instituted
to secure the condemnation Of the same. He
adds that the obstacles in the way Of the ex-
cution Of the law as it stands, are so serious
as to cause grave apprehensions that no sat
isfactory results will be attained in the prose-
cution Of the suits authorized by it.
The Attorney General, in dirct reply TO the
resolution, states that there has not been any
Judgment Of condemnation rendered in the
courts under either Of the con6soation acts
passed by Congress, but that no unnecessary
delay has occurred since the subject was
placed in his hands. He then proceeds tc
state that the law requires that the facts con-
stituung guilt and consequent forfeiture shall
/ be clearly proven, ana he hastusWucted ti'e
/ District Attorney to avoid h,sty and improv'
ident seizures, whilst he has urged upon then
all vigilance in enforcing The law.
He further says that tine President charged
him with the execution Of the law last No
vember. aud since then he has been arranging
with the District Attorney for a uniform
practice in these cases, so AS to avoid conflic
with State laws and practice, and has jus
completed his arrangement General Martin
dale has turned over all property seized b!
him in the District to the civil authorities
and the cases will proceed as soon as the nee
essary testimony can be obtained. The At
torney General concludes by stating that b.
encloses draft of an amendment to the ex
isting law, prepared by the District Attorney
the adoption Of which, however, he does no
urge.
The amendment proposed provides that III
L. S. District Attorney of any district ma.
institute proceedings IN REM by petition pray
ing the Condemnation Of the property seized
and, after reasonable public notice, If tn
party interested shall fail to appear, the cour
shall proceed to adj udicate the case as thong
+ the facts set forth in the petition had bee
proved Should the patties appear, the pro
ceediugs shall accord with the practice in ad
miralty cases.
The "a section provides that the propert
Of persons who have lefl any Of the Ioya
States for the seeded States, aud have nc
+ returned. shall be condemned on the presumF
ton that they have been engaged in arme
rebellion against the United States.
5 WHO ARE C1PPER-HEADS.
At recent meeting Of democrats in Ne
t Jersey it is reported that ex Gov. Price sal
= i" The Union is broken. and that the stat