Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-06-02
FROM the New 9ork ft!Lune.
be lllyernment and tho Grow Iaf.

The SEYMOUR sophistdes and the Vallahdigham
varnsh dsGeive only these who wish to be decsv-
ed The lacquer OF patriotism ID too superficial
to be regarded by Government wrestling for its
existence. Military ustiee Is always quick and
sharp and disregardful Of forms, from the very
nature Of the disease and of the remedy which it
requires. When it is blowing great guns, sailor
may honestly differ from the master upon the
question of furng the topsaiIs; bat an angry
statement of his dissent may lead to something
worse for tho recalctraDt mariner than merely
going alof. All government signifies, 10 a GER
tain extent, restraint 1t must be understood that
even under democratic forms, the people still owe
a feally to the Government of their own oonstruc-
ton, and that treason is just as possible in Re-
public as in Monarchy. Gov. Seymour himself
would be very easily put out OF temper by one
who should say of his administration Of affairs that
it was clumsy and corrupt and il any one should
go further and say, that it is criminal our Govern
or would probably Use all the power which he
possesses to punish such audacty Courts Mar.
tails are not unknown even in times Of peace and
many subordinate Of our State Militia has been
| tried and convicted and punished for words dis
respectfully spoken Of his commanding officer.
II you take the ground tina: in Republic it is
impossible to commit any political offense worthy
Of punishment, and that no speech is so danger
Gus that it should be restrained-then we ave
only to say that we wish, for the sake Of consis.
tency, that the Democratic party, OF which Hora.
ito Seymour and Ben Wood are the Respondent
lumlnares, had taken the same ground in the
earlier stages of its existence. Its love Of free
speech has heretofore been that Of a bully who
Grams his defiant curses down your throat, and
threatens to crack your crown ii you are FESTIVE
under bis lingual license and defiant volubillty.
Never before or since have we had party so dis
gusngIy and drtily arrogant. 1t has lived by
badgering and terrorlsm-by the logic of the cud-
gel and the soft persuasion Of the pstol-by the
rowdysm Of Rynders and the potroonery Of Pres
ton Brooks-by the audacity of smashing ballot
boxes--by the utter denial Of our right TO discuss
certain political questions at ably continual ei-
forts to coefce opinion, by mobbing the meetings
Of It's opponents, and by total disregard OF the
right Of petition. A pretty party this to talk Of
the Freedom Of speech A pretty party this to
mouth Of the sacred rights guaranteed by the con-
stituton A pretty party this 10 grow FESTIVE
under wholesome treatment, and to roar about
liberty The mean the inefably mean creatures
for years. ia Kansas, in South Carolina, in Wash.
ington, in New York, in Boston, in every great
city and in every little village, have been trying to
muzzle all dissenting men-to prosecute and des-
troy every object Of their hatred, and now they
turn about like some old procuress, converted il
her oil age to virtue, and bawl for the largest
liberty Of discussion Liberty Of discussion may
be very fine thing, Mr.. Ben Wood, but il you
think you love il, you labor under hideous hal
ucnalion. Freedom of discussion may be de-
ightiul principle, but when did you become en-.
amored Of it, Mr.. Horato Seymour? A pretty
pair Of consistent creatures you are A precious
pair of noodles you must be, il you do not know
that you are stealing all the fine thunder of thu
Abolltionists, and very awkwardly you handle the
pfered bolts You for freedom OF discussion
Why, had you only had your own way, you woult
long ago have hung Mr., Gorrison, beheaded Mr.
Sumner, drawn and quartered Henry Wilson, ant
set your bull dogs Of the GROCERY aud the brothe
and the gambling hell upon the office OF this pa
per You know you would, Ben You know
you would Horatio Don't deny blushingly thu
soft impeachment You know in your hearts
C ear down to the black bottom Of them, that yol
would have done it Nice men you are 10 talk o
the Freedom OF Speech You would keep Satal
rebuking sin quite in countenance
Ii is no business OF ours to defend particular
acts Of the Administration, but when it is assailed
by Southern Asssssips and Northern Copperhsads
it has right, by the law of self-preservation, L
defend itself. What we have right to urge is
that those who now undertake to defend LIbert,
Of Speech, have heretofore been badly distinguish
ed by their hostility 10 that Liberty and to a.
other liberties whatsoever, except their own. Til
people had better beware Of hearkeuing to suc|
re cent converts