The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-02-09
The Position of the Democrats.

slge to the slaves of rebels, and was doing
similar acts bringing qualification to the
pro'slavery Democracy, it was generally thought
that his course was inspired not so much by
any real hostility to the measures thus inau.
gurate by the Republican Generals, as by the
belief that while the loyalty of the anti-slAvery
men of the country would stand any amount Of
snubbing, that quality in the pro-savery party
was Of so delicate a nature as to require the
incest care, the most assiduoas nursing, and the
IN ost delicate and constant attention. We regret
TO say that the events of the last six months have
proved this opinion only toe we'll founded. The
Repa blicans, Notwithstanding the fact that the
policy which they constantly urged upon the
Administration was not adopted, remained
Is teadfast in the support of the war, and urgeG
upon the Government still vigorous proseeu
tion of the war. They never hesitated q mo.
ment in respect to any call for men to ill ur
the ranks, although they knew that the volun.
tsers would serve under General in whose
military ability they had lost all confidence
And we all remember what clamor the Dem
ocratic press of the country set up when Gen
Andrew, in response to an irquiry from the
War Department as to the number of troops
Massachusetts, could send on a short notice
suggested TO the Government the policy OF
striking at the sources of the rebellion, as the
BEST incentive to volunteering in his State. He
was charged at once with treason, as putting
conditions upon his loyalty, and as refusing
support TO the arm Of the nation unless his
own views were adopted in the prosecution of
she war. And we all remember, too. how,
when the demand really came for troops, the
thoroughly patriotic Governor of Massachusetts,
gave the most emphatic denial to all these base
charges by the alacrity with which he respond
ed to the call. And this instance was only like
E II others in which Republicans, all over the
country, although sorely disappointed and mu eh
disheartened by the course the Administration
pursued, still responded generously and heartily,
1t not enthusiastically, to every call for troops
to put down treason.
What contrast between the patriotism 80
characteristic OF the Republicans, and that other
= kind, 80 near akin 70 disloyalty, which, since
the removal of Mcclellan and the adoption of
Ewancpation as a war measure, has been ex-
Aibited by the pro-slavery Democrats! The
latter now make no secret of their hostility, not
to treason, but to the war They hesitate no.
Mt ail in saying that no more troops can be had
fer the prosecution Of the struggle against t1ea-
son. They beast that the Army Of the Potomac,
or portions Of it, have cone ludsd that they have
ne further interest in the controversy, and are
quito as ready to march on Washington as on
,Riehmond. And they are openly clamorous
for peace and compromise, boldly saying that
now the sword cannot settle the strife, but tina
it must be composed by giving these " srrine
sisteas" new guarantees, and if necessary
leave New England out ia the cold.
And the most refreshing impudeuce is exhib-
tod by these aiders of treason, and these enc
mies Of tn, Government, in the unbushing way
in which they charge the Republicans with be-
ing the cause of this division of sentiment at the
North, and SO being responsible for the disloyal-
ty of the Democracy that recently confronted the
Administratio When they thought the Admin
lstration had adopted their views, they clothed
President Lincoln every day with their garments
of praise, uttering, at the same moment, the
most terrible maledictons against every one who
intimated dislike for The policy at Washing
ton going into very tempest of indigna-
.tion at peaceful meeting of loyal Governors
at Altoona, because it was suspected that
meeting had for its object discussion of the