The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-12-03

He then proceeds 20 argue t. cause of the
rebels as follows:
1.-THE preamble 10 tie Constitution does not
speak of perpetual Union, but " more perfect
Union, to establish justice, insure domestic tran
guilty, provide for the common defence, promote
the general welfare, and secure the blessings Of
liberty to ourselves md 10 our postrity" And
the very ground wh ich the Southern States as
sumo is that the whole of this design has been
frustrated with respect to them-that not III:
South, bat the North, has violated justice, des-
troyed domestic tranquility, opposed the general
welfare and thus eifectually broken the bonds of
the Constitution. by their determined and unceas-
ing assaults upon the domestic institutions Of
those who were intended to be their equals and
their brethren, making it virtually impracticahle
to live in peace together. The power of the Tree
States which have thus carried on their assaults
upon Slavery has at length obtained the mastery
in the administration Of the government, and
therefore the Southern States have resortcd to
their reSerUedrghts by seeding, as the only peace
able remedy remaining, since warnings, expostu-
atons and arguments have been employed for
many years. and all in vain"
We DO no! quote this secession heresy, this
apology for Southern treason and the slavehold-
er5' rebelilon for the purpose of conroverting it,
the Southern papers, the Southern leaders,
and the Vice President Of their bogus Govern
ment, Alexandsy ii. Stephens, have done that
but to Show our leaders what Vermont Bishop
ia capable o. writing. The Bishop says he has
not voted for thirty years, and takes no part in
politics. lie probably became 50 Disguised with
jackson for squelchng notification when it first
appeared 10 South Carolina, that be retired from
the cares, auxey1s and studies Of statesmanotip,
and devoted himself 10 his 81 Bible View," and
only returns as a champion into the arena Ct
politics, when h. th-akS he sees an opportunity
to aid the slayonoller by asserting the divine
right Vi the master to fog, main and debaucl
his sayt8 and when he hopes to advance a cause
less and wicked rebellion, by asserting that it has
just cause, and Constitutional right.
We have no objection to a clergyman or a
Bishop having and cXpressing an opinion respect
| ing Slavery and secession, and when he does so
his motives and bis arguments are to be estimated
4. what they are really worth. But we suggest
that it would be more respectful to his office,
more in accordance with the fitness of things, not
to say more decent and manly, when John II.
Hopkins gives bis opinion respecting Slavery, the
Declaration Of Independence, and Eastern Phi
anthropists that be should content himself, Tor a
signature, with plain John II. Hopkins, without
the addition "your faithful servant in Christ,
Bishop Of the Diocese Of Vermont We car.
not now understand why he did not add to this
title Principal of the Episcopal Institute at
Burlington and, if he had happened 20 hold
such an office, Dire tor 10 the Vermont Cen
trail Railroad Company Certainly he might
have done SO with as much propriety as he has
shown in his endeavor to di-nty his heretical
and disIoyai and pro-slavery opinions by blasphe-
mnnely throwins o,er Them the robes of his holy
office.
But We will leave the Bishop with the single re-
mark that, SO far as we know, the Episcopal cler-
gy and laity of Vermont, whatever they may
think Of bis fitness for the office he holds, have
no sympathy whatever with him in his pro-savery
and secession opinions and teachings, but on the
contrary, Indignantly reprobate and utterly abhor
them.