Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-05-08
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PAPERS ON THE WAR---No. ".

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IL, then, the war is inevitable, and if the
interests not only Of ourselves and Of our
posterity, but the cause Of political liberty
for ages to come, rests upon this generation
Of the men Of America, let us nerve ourselves
up to the crisis--to the mighty responsibility
which God in bis mysterious providence has
cast upon US. The work is with the people,
and, under Divine Providence, by the people
is our political salvation to be effected.
How are we TO discharge this high, this
holy duty, II can only be effected by unity,
zeal, spirit Of determination and self-sacri.
flee equal to the crisis, to the great interests
which are at stake All minor questions and
party interests must be discarded It is worse
than useless 20 talk Of parties; that the Repub-
lcan party, or The Democratic party, or the
Abolitonist party must have the honor Of
saving the countty,-the people must save
the country If it Ia saved at all. Discsrding
all party feuds and prejudices, we must have a
union Of all loyal citizens for the "sake Of
the Union" IL is insisted that parties are
inseporablo from free government, and are
indispensable for It's maintenance and pres
ervation. In 'ordinry times it may be so
but party divisions and strife for spoils arc
strangely out Of place now Let, then, there
be a cordial union Of all who are willing to
give up all minor questions for the support OF
the Government and the salvation Of the
country. IL Others are dissatisfied with this
platform, let them unite and form party if
they choose for the eoverthrow Of the Govern
ment and division Of the States.
At the commencement Of the war, a noble
example Of this preference Of country before
party was set by large portion Of the Dem
ooratic party at tie North. Thousands Of
our fellow citizens, had earnestly op-
posed the election Of Mr.. Lincoln, yet when
the standard Of rebellion was raised at the
South they hastily united with their late op-
ponents in support of our common Govern
ment. Perhaps no event in the course Of the
war has caused morcdismay in the counc Is of
the rebels than this noble manifestation Of
loyalty on the part Of Northern Democrats
All who thus came forward for the support Of
the Government must be received as tried
friends, not garded as recent converts to
another party and set to do duty in subor-
dnate rank, but each man must be called to
the place where he can best serve the com
mon cause. II we have among us any man
who lancies that according TO the rules Of party
preferment, he is entitled to reelection to
Congress, or any other office for which be is
unfit, and a competent man can be found out
side the ranks Of the dominant party, the par
tzan pretender must step aside. and the man
most competent must have the place. 1t is
no time now TO regard the trades and arrange
ments of party,--the country is in too much
peril.
One of the first duties Of the people to ef- /.
feet deiverance from our troubles Is to
make thorough reformation in the legisla-
tive departments Of our government, both
State and National Since the doctrine of
the spois system has been eugrafted into our
politics, our legislation has heeome more and
mare corrupt, and the expenditures of the
Government fearfully increased. Party lead
ders have become more reckless, party spirit
more raneorous and bitter, aud in too many
instances worthless AID incompetent men
have been elevated to Offices for which they
were unfit
To get up some question that would create /
a sensation among the people, has been the .
favorite strategem of party leaders, and then, .
in the hubbub and confusion which followed,
secure the coveted Offices. Unfortunately. /.
our politicians hit upon the slavery question
as the subject for their electioneering tricks. |
Had the South been content with that pro-
ltIAlDu VI AAtAl pSNu4lhi lheAlNuNAbHs huhA
would have satisfied Washington, jefferson
and Madison, the mass Of the candid and in
telhgent freemen Of the North would never
have suffered the constitutional rights Of the
South to be disturbed. But touched by the
magic Of Southern demagogues, the accursed .
of slavery becomes patriarchal,
and must be extended over the continent
aud every department of the Government
pledged to its extension and support Mean
while the political schemers at the North we're
not idle, and soon saw that by creating
like commotion here, they too would secure
political promotion. II was found popular to
harp upon slavery, and discuss our neighbors
sins rather than our own. Hence many ia
men and political jobbers have
found their way into high and responsible Of
fees. By force aud fraud the South then
attempted to carry slavery into Kansas and
establish it there, but we're foiled in their at
tempts; and in the frenzy and madness which
followed the election in 1860, their leaders
nave succeeded in plunging that ill-iated sec
ton into rebellion and civil war.
There was no necessity for all this contest,
the interests of the North and South are re-
ciprocal, and should have been made harmon
ious and had honest and able statemen di-
reeted the councils Of the nation for the last
ten years the war would have been prevented
But, how can we now escape from the perls
we are ina The only way is by the old and
homely course of repentance and Of reforma-
ton. Selfish party leaders have got as into
a difficulty from which only real statesmen
can releye us. Able and patriotic men must
be placed in our councils. Honest aud SEN
sble men, many of whom have Stunned poll
ties as they would a pestilence, must under
stand that they have an interest in the mat
ter, must come back TO the polls and assume
that position in society and at elections
which they ought; frown upon disloyalty
wherever it appears, and vote for no man Of
whose loyalty, ability and integrity they are
not well assured lhhey find an unworthy man
in ofhce remove him. If he is Congress, and
it is found that he has done nothing, and has
no wish to do anything, but plumber the
and distribute offices and snecures
to his relatives and retainers, give the place
to better man. 1t follows not that every
one who has high opinion of his capacity
and merits, and fanoes he must have an Of
fee is to be gratifed The President needs
the aid of honest and able men in Congress,
Of men who have a higher and better aim
than spoils." II we can have Congress