The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-01-08
Gov. SeYmour's Inaugural.


every personal, every family, every sacred inter-
est Is involved. The truths of our financial and
military situation must not be kept back There
must be no attempt to put down the free ex
preston of public opinion.
Atrighted at the ruin they have wrought,
authors of our calamities, at the North and
South, insist that this war was caused by an
unavoidable contest about slavery. This has
been the subject. not the cauee OF the contrOver-
sy. We are TO look tor the causes Of the war
IN pervadng disregard OF the obligations of
laws and constitutions, in disrespects for the
constituted authorities, aud above all, In local
prejudices which have grown up in two portions
OF the Atlantic States the tW0 extremes of our
country There is no honest statement of our
difficulties which does not teach shat our people
must reform themselves rs well as the conduct
OF the Government and the policy Of our ru-
lere.
1t is not too late to cave our country, if we
will enter upon the saered duty in the right
spirit and in the right way. " hen we do, the
effect will be seen and felt throughout our land
and by the civilized world. We shall then
strengthen our government, we shall weaken
the rebellion, we shall unite our people. and
the world will recognize our capacity for self
government when we show that we are capable
Of selt-ref0rm. Where it is the right OF our
government to decide upon measures and policy,
1t is our duty to obey and give ready support
TO the decision, This is a vital maxim OF lib
erty.
This war should have been a7erted, but when
It's tood-gates were opened the Administration
could not grasp its dimensions nor control its
sweep. Government WAS bOrns along with the
current and struggled US is best could with the
resstles3 tide. Few seemed able 10 comprehend
It's military or financial problems. Hence we
are net to SIT in harsh judgment upon errors
IN conduct or policy. But while VS. c0ncedo all /
these excuses tor mistakes, We are not to adopt
errors, ner sanction violations of principle. Tie
same causes which extenuate their faults in
Judgment must make us more yigiant to guard
against their influences -
The Governor then urges that economy and
integrity in the administration of affairs arc |
vital in war, and says that meddling and in
trigue have .hwarted and paraly2ed the valor
OF our soldiers and The skill Of their Generals
within the influence of the capital while our
armies have gained victories IN fields remote
theretrom.
The Governor says that the National Const- |
tuition must DO held invi0late and holds that the
rights OF States must be respected not less ga
cred. consolidated governments would des-
troy the essential home rights and liberties Of the
people
On the subject of arbitrary arrests he says
. The suppression of journals and imprson-
ment Of persons have been garlngIy partisan
Conscious of these gross abuses, an ATTEMPT ha
been made to shield the vioators of law and
suppress inquiry into their motives and condact.
This attempt will fail. Unconstitutional acts
cannot be shielded by Unconstitutional laws.
shall not inquire what rights the States in
rebellion have forfeited, Tut deny that this re-
belllon can suspend single right OF the citizens
OF the loyal States. / denounce the doctrine :
that civil war in the South takes away from the
loyal North the benefits of one principle of civ
il liberty. 1t is high crime to abduct citi-
zen OF this state 1t IL made my duty by the =
Constitution to see that the laws are enforced.
shall investigate every alleged violation of +,
oar statutes, and see that the offenders are
brought to Justice +;
The Sherids and District Attorneys are ad
Honished that it is their duty 70 take care that &
10 person within their respective counties is i'm %
NOR carried by force beyond their lin
ts, without due process Of legal authority.
The Governor, at some length, condemns the ;,
exercise of power under martial Ia as destruc- :,
i've Of the rights of States, and Of tho legisla-
i've and Judicial powers Of the general govern
aent. \
He declares that the Presidents Emancipa- :.
ion Proclamation is lmDolitic, unjust and un- ),
calculated to create MANY bar. :
iers to the restoration Of the Union and cal :,
ulated to be misconstrued by the world as an 3
abandonment of thu hope Of restoring ia re. "
ult to which New York is nobly opposed, and "
which will be effectualy resisted, =
The Union, he says, will be restored by the y
)eatral and Western. States both free and slave !,
rho are exempt from the violent passions which -
ear control at the extremes Those of the =
entral slave States which regretted the ordin- "