Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-09-04

DAN. TARBELL'S LETTER.

unquestonably is either to raise himself from
political iusgnifcauoe, or to redeem himself
from political degradation There are few
things in human experience that he has not
tried for the purpose OF self-advancement, and
having failed in all to become the acknowl-
edged light and leader Of his age, be now
looks up from among The shades, and gives.
through this dark ldpicrn--the Argus blue
and yellow light, which he assures his fellow
citizens interests them ALL
How important This great defence must
be read for SO rare flower should not waste
its fragrance on the desert air.
His arguments are multlotm, and curious
as they are various. As Shakespeare would
express it, they are tragcal-comical, tragi-
cal-historical, comical-pastoral," and his fell
low citizens who are " interested in his ex-
perience should be thankful, that though the
Worlds light went down at Sandusky, the
God Of many eyes can find him in his
darkness and help them TO see his transcend
ent glory.
It appears that for some reason or other
few soldiers demanded Of him, in the fall Of
/ 1861 an expression of his boosted loyalty TO
the government. and demanded Of him a cheer
/ for the good Old Flag. For this he is pleas
ed TO term ihcm traitors In what does this
treason consist Does he tell US: He pro-
iesses loyalty to every principle Of the gov
eminent Of our Revolutionary fathers and
yet be calls these men traitors who are sworn
" TO defend that government against all It's
enemies or opposers whatever" Just because
they asked him 20 cheer for IT,
/ Perhaps they were a mob, and it may be
even that they committed breach Of the
peace. If so, that is to be deprecated. But
/ If treason consists in calling for an expression
Of loyalty, il is pity that our Constitution
does not contain this definition Mo- lie
calls them traitors because he wants 90 use a
vile term Of reproach against them, for party
motive. as Nallandigham calls the President
a traitor, tyrant and usurper. lie calls the
soldiers of his country traitors What a
thought They have fought and bled tor it
since, and some of them have died for it,
But he lives TO condemn it and them for de-
Tending it.
But Dan is political, as well as "tragcal-
historical &c, and gives us his principles
/ Nobody knows Why or ever before supposed
be possessed any. Bu, Just before Freemen's
/ Meeting it seems that he has ctawlcd upon
| platform. / have seen snakes by southern
rivers and bayous crawl from their Shiny
abodes upon the wharves and bask IN the rays
of the warm sun. But never before now have
seen one crawl upon hi, own curdlcd slime
and try to charm the public with the iacination
of hi, purity.
He says be has not written TO gain posi-
zion OF course be bias not for the Leeisla-
tune has refused 20 make Sandusky indcpcnd-
emit of Granville. and the people of Granville
are not FOOLS Oh, no But be has written
simply 70 defend his political views, which
are, 10 curse the Government which we are
taxed hundreds Of dollars 20 support% simply
/ for the failure of Justice Of the Peace 90 adj
minister the law against men for obiging
him TO cheer for our iorefather3' good old dag
Alas, for our country IL must fsll ltis
too weak 10 be worthy Of defence and main-
teuance when it will tolerate a petty magis-
trate who cannot see the enormity OF such
personal wrongs. No use in fighting any
more Our liberties are on gone. A little
Justice Of the Peace, whose civil Jurisdiction
cannot everstep two hundred dollars, has fall
ed in one instance to exercise IL. and there
fore dark and drear pail oyerhangs Ibis
fair land, and ia fast reducing us TO human
bondage or determination" Oh, no our
country is not worth saving. and even il it
was, we have pursued the wrong course to
save it. Why did not this genius, this Mo-
loch Of a mystic faith, speak out before. He
tells US that mere lip loyalty, or professional
/ love Of liberty, will not save the country
What, then, will; Onewluld naturally sup
pose that action would do tue work if words
would not. But that cannot be, for he saws
I" Let successive demands be made for your
money and gallant sons as they WU be, and
your homes, once SO delightful, will become
the drear babitatons of mourning for the loss
OF your sons and kindred, aud your fertile
fields will become the deserted bush pastures
of deserted, discouraged people
SO, then, Dan, 1t appears that our words
and professions will not save the country,
and that il we work, and fight, our homes are
TO become places of solemn mourning, our
fields deserted pastures, and our country
ruin and a waste.
lie does not believe in putting down the
rebellion by force Of arms, for it will ruin as
and turn our meadows into deserted pastures.
And he says he believes that government is
the will Of the governed He deprecates
MODS, but this is the very spirit of mob law.
/ Government is rather the obedience of the
/ governed to duly established laws
He claims to desire the perpettity Of our
nation and the union of all the states and to
this end wants them all to be allowed their
] ptCuIldr IlBuls uuuer the Constitution, and
relies upon their consent to live together in
harmony and peace.
No man on earth disputes the fact that be-
fore they attempted to seoede, the Southern
states enjoyed their full rights and priv eyes
under the Constitution And yet, they would
not live together in peace How false then
is this position, and how utterly unfounded
his reliance They attempted to withdraw
from the government of the United States.
and would not consent to live under it and
they took up arms and fired upon the very
harmony Of which he speaks. They do so
now, and how, let me inquire, will he bring
about the result which he processes to desire
unless he deprives them of the means of their /
resistance, or brushes them out The facts
are against him, and his theory is a rope Of
sand. Like all other copperheads he denoun-
ces and struggles against the movements Of
the Administration, the army and the loyal
people, for crushing the rebellion and insur-
ing peace, but proposes no way himself Like [
other copperheads be condems, but does not
assist nor advise And as in all other cases
OF their discussion, his whole argument re-
duces itself to negative pregnant, and the |
Il A 49,