The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-04-18

rom speaking IN popular assemblies. But m)le l.
especially decline to do so because | was IN :,
formed, net very long since, that officers per
hitting themselves to take part in public affairs
outside OF their professional duties had been
by high authority as political
Generals" But in giving say to this usage,
am not at ali satisfied that il is the correct view
of the scope Of an officers duty in this country,
and amidst the disorders CT civil war. Under
other forms of Government, where the head of
the nation shapes and directs its poliCy, and
where the agents and the people themselves SIM
ply conform, this suppressed freedom OF speech,
where it must have expression, necessarily takes
the form of revolt and is consequently more
incompatible with the public tranquility. But IN
this country where there ia really such thing
as public affairs upon which the nation celebrates
and where the vitality Of the system depends
upon the fact that every man is expected to take
living interest in them, the case is wltely
different. Here the Government simply executes
the will of the people, to which 1t IS expected
, strictly to conform, and concerning when 1t
ought, consequently, to be we'll informed. lie
mi itary power is only an executive arm OF the
sovereign in this country-the people and IN
stead OF forming that military power into dis
tinct and separate class, and creating barriers be-
tween the army and the people, everything ought
to be done to keep the soldier one of them, hav-
ing common interests and common opinions. 10
! isolate them and their sentiments would be, or
might be, highly dangerous to our free Govern
meat, and in this country there should be no such
thing as military party.
! We have lately seen with what satisfaction the
country received the resolutions Of our troops in
the feid--how timely and important was their in
ha lose hacanSe II was evident that
,tey had no idea of merging into the soldier the
sympathies and privileges of the citizen. And l,
is absurd to say that IN war OF ideas conflict
of principles, in revolution which is taking the
shape of a reformation-a revolution which in
wolves the civilization of the age, and to the re
suits of which the friends of liberty are looking
with the deepest anxiety and interest in ever,
part of the word-in all this m0mentous struggl
that the merl most actively concerned, taking tn
most active part, and making the costtest sacrh
ces should have no opinion. II is idle to tell u
that the opinions of officers in important place
have no Influence on the conduct and the result
of the war. Nor does it always happen that
General has the choice to render b $ rvce to III
country in the more congenial duties of the field
he may be placed in charge of a distant and re
belllous province, separated, disconnected iron
the seat of the Government by the conditions Q
the war, and where necessarily he must be gov
erned by his own convictions and bis own opn
ions. Would it rehect-does it reflect on tn
solderly qualities of that General that he had tn
ability to institute a p4cy which enabled him, il
the midst of rebellion and anarchy, to hold i
subection to the laws, and to reduce into goo
order and healthy proprety, and to restore, in it
S commercial relations to The Union the great me
e tropois Of the South. Men who, by uniting wit
you here two years ago, Subjected themselves t
J the charge OF being political Generals, have sea
a ed with their lives their devotion to this cause
S Then Schenck, and Mitchell, and Blker spoks t
/ you here. The one has given his blood and tn
:. others their lives in your service. Were they th
d less good soldiers because they came to you herr
on toe eve OF battle, 70 get inspiration and to hn
= encouragement and renewed strength 10 the a.
n surances OF your support? 1t is not here thu
e that the name of"pohrcal General" can be cor
e sidered a stigma or disqualification.
$ Already shadows begin to people this place, an
t the spot has become classic ground. Two yeaI
u ago this was one among the many beautiful opel
d ings which decorate your city. You had no Bur
d ker Hill to serve as tieId-alar of patriotism.
II this splendid cty-ihs radiatug center of the ma
> terial prosperity Of the country-there was wan
IS ing the traditional spot in sight of which no ma
n could, without shame, fall be!Jw the spirit of II
IS day which gave it an historic fame. But here a
C ready you have sermons IN these t&'
i you have your feld-altar In sight of that stau
d of Washington, you come here to-day TO rene
Al your pledges-you promise that in his hand
J, which two years ago held up to your indigmr
e gaze your discarded and outraged flag, you wi
y yet place the standard which snail be raised
victory over the walls of Sumter. You promis
,f that you will never agree to dismembermeut {
J. the country whica he left you and that next t
Of the crime of the traitors who are striking in arm
/, at the life of the nation, yeu will hold the guilt