Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1863-01-16
Message Of Governor Seymour.
GENERAL OPPOSITION TO THE AD-
MINIsTRATIoN PROCLAIMED.

/ 49, cois - Oc'' IVY
mour's message was sent to the legisla-
ture TO day. On national affairs he
says -
= |" Not only is the national life at stake,
but every personal, every family, every
sacred interest is involved. The truths
of our financial and military situation
must not be kept back. There must be
no attempt to put down the free express
sion of public opinion.
Affrighted at the ruin they have wro't
the authors of our calamites, at the north
and south, INSIST that this war was caused
by an unavoidable contest about slavery.
This has been the subject, not the cause,
of the controversy. We are to look for
the causes of the war in pervading dis
regard of the obligations of laws and
constitutions, in disrespect for the consti-
ltuted authorities, and, above all, in local
iprejudices which have grown up in two
portions of the Atlantic States, the two
extremes of our country. There is no
honest statement of our difficulties which
does not teach that our people must re-
form themselves as well as the conduct of
the government and the policy of our
rulers.
1t is not TOO late TO save our country,
if we will enter upon the sacred duty in
the right spirit and in the right way
When we do, the effect will be seen and
felt throughout our land and by the civ
ilized world. We shall then strengthen
our government, we shall weaken the re-
bellion, we shall unite our people; and
he world will recognise our capacity for
| self government when re show that we
are capable of self reform. Where it is
the right of our government 20 decide
upoi measures and policy, il is our duty
to obey and give ready support TO the
decision. This is a vital maxim of lib
ehy.
This war should have been averted,
but when its food gates were opened the
administration could not grasp its dimen-
sions nor control its sweep. Govern
ment was borne along with the current
and struggled as it best could with the
RESTLESS tide. Few seemed able to com
prehend its military or financial prob
lens. Hence we are not to sit in harsh
Judgment upon errors in conduct or pol
icy. But while we concede all these ex-
cuses for mistakes, we are not to adopt
errors, nor sanction violations of princi-
pie. The same causes which extenuate
their faults in judgment must make us
more vigilsnt to guard against their in
| fuenees."
The governor then urges that economy
and integrity in the administration of af-
fairs are vital in war, and says that med
ding and intrigue have thwarted and
paraIyzed the valor Of our soldiers and
the skill of their generals within the in
flaence of the capital, while our armies
have gained victories in fields remote
iherefrom.
The governor says that the national
constitution must be held InviolaGe, aud
holds that the rights of states must be re-
spected as not less sacred. A consolida-
ted government would destroy the essen
tial home rights and liberties Of fhe peo-
pie.
On the subject of arbitrary arrests he
says: " The suppression of journals and
imprisonment of persons have been glar-
ingly partizan. Conscious of these gross
abuses, an attempt has been made to
shield the violators of law and suppress
inquiry into their motives and conduct.
This attempt will fail. demonstrations
acts cannot be shielded by unconstitution-
al laws.
shall not inquire what rights the
states in rebellion have forfeited, but
deny that this rebellion can suspend a
single right of the citizens of the loyal
states. / denounee the doctrine that civ
il war in the south takes away from the
loyal north the benefits of one principle
of civil liberty. 1t is high crime to alb.
duct n citizen of this state. II lie made