Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-09-11
gaatrbman Y STATE OuuruaI.
BY h. P. WALTON
MONTPELIER, SEPTEMBER IL, 1868.
TILE PRESIDENTS LETTER.


As usual when interesting or important
matter is anticipated, the printers were swim
died and the public taatalized by dispatch
in advance concerning the Presidents letter,
which had not one jot Of truth in it. That
dispatch was, like sensation dispatches in
general. the invention Of the Imagination
and in this case it was no. brilliant; but 1t
served to create expectation of formal state
ment Of new governmental policy, by which
the President was to conduct and close the
war. and reconstruct the Union. When the
genuine letter came-and that, too, a day IN
advance Of its delivery to the Springfield
Convendon,-sucb expectation was disap-
pointed, and perhaps now, the importance
and real significance Of the letter ate not
properly estimated. 1t looks like an off
hand poriormanco--an unstudied private let
ter-hank. free and easy. But there IS a
great deal in that letter It touches the mar
row Of those who dud fault with the Prrsi-
dent. 1t is unanswerabe The Boston Daily
Advertiser well says:
no opportunity of representing that the abo-
liuon of slavery has become the object Of the
war Indeed, they have become so hot in
their attack. that they nov forget even their
own earlier ius'i6cauons Of the government
and begin 20 urge that the war was in its in
ception merely an attack upon SLAYER This
rs the ground on which they clearly intend to
take their stand. Ito stgmatise the object Of
a.. t., "a
mere abolition, and to fix this igma upon
the wal itself SO far as il proves to be pru-
dent In the democratic meeting at Worces.
ter on Wednesday evening, it was declared
that the war was occasioned by aggressions
upon .layery,--a statement of its origin now
becoming common in such quarters and who
can be surprised therefore that another speak
er, who urged the duty Of supplying meu aud
money, was met by the Kisses Of part Of his
audience
Such is the course which the democratic at
tack upon the government and the war,-an
attack planned for the purposes Of both this
year and next,-is now taking
TO this attack Mr.. Lincoln makes answer,
by putting upon record plain and urequiy.
ocil defence of his emancipation policy upon
purely military grounds, exhibiting it as the
means TO an eud, and not in itself an object
Of the war, putting it dis inctly before the
country that the proclamation was issued to
=" aid in saving the Union recapitulating in
pointed style tho familiar arguments for the
military efficacy Of the proclamation, and re-
calling the opinions OF generals, never tine
tured with ant-shyery, who hold them
purely az military opinions Thus Mr..
Lincoln bias given 90 the country very Ell c.
tive document, accepting The political issue
made up Boy the democratic opposition, and
placing before the people au authoritative re-
piy, which Will no doubt have great weight
with the mass OF our people. Il 0ill serve
90 correct extra,4gances into which some II
his own supporters have fallen, and 20 recall
the discussion to that ground where the adj
miuistraton is strongest, and from which lbs
opponent would be glad 70 entice its sup
porter-.-ibe ground Of military necessity, as
the Justification for emancipation
To the allegation THAT tbe war ), now to bc
carried on = The purpose Of emanepating
che slaves 10 the in,urgent States Mr.. Lin
coin replies by declaring that, while be be-
leyes no compromise for the restoration Of
the Union J.. possible at this time, no propo-
siuon for any such compromise possi ble or
not, has been made or suggested by the reo-
ftFfa laN. NJ lfNi rhilllituAl4 tiiuul LNe poo
sition of the lovers Of d stable union. that for
the present the only course Of the govern
ment is 90 push on its military operations
with even greater vigor than ever And 60
those who fear lest the war may hereafter be
prolonged for other taan lts original objects,
the President keauiy reioins, % whenever sou
shall have conquered all resistance to the
4 Union, if } shall urge you to continue fight
ing it will be an apt time for you then 10 de-
clare that you will not fight to free negroes "
/ ln these words Mr.. Lincoln touches the only
remaining point on which the opponents Of
the government can rest their attacks, and
gives to the people Of the country signif-
cant warning to beware how they are misled
into unpairiotic courses by the mere antci-
/ patton of future evil.