The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-09-23

rat" ~ iieeuoni ahu Tue hlghts OF Man.
We call upon the People to bear in mind
that, by whatever sophistries they may cloak
their purposes, the Chicago Conven ton neith-
er condemns the action Of the Richmond Re-
bels, nor proposes to expel them against
their will, or by any exercise of force, from
the seats Of power they have usurped. In
all essential respects the action that Conven-
tion stook accords with the results the Rebels
seek. Both desire cessation of hostilities.
Both denounee,with unsparing bitterness, the
Government of the United States, and both
alike seek its overthrow. Both demand that
the attempt to conquer armed Rebellion by
force of arms shall be abandoned. And both
demand that, when the Government of the
United States shall have passed into the
hands of men opposed to an armed defence
of the Government against rebellion the war
shall end by peaceful conference of these
allied powers. What more than this could
the Rebels ask or need for the consummation
of all their plans ? We call upon the Peo-
pie to bear in mind that, if they elect the
candidates Of the Chicago Convention, they
arrest the Government in the execution of
its plans and purposes on the very eve of
their ful6lment, and one-third of year be-
fore any new administration can take its
place. The interval will be one of hope and
confidence for the Rebels, and of exuta,ion
for their allies in the loyal States. In the
Western States armed preparations have
already been made by the disciples and ad-
yocates of secession, 10 follow the example
Of the South, and sever the West from the
Federal Union. The success of the Chicago
programme in November will be the signal
for carrying these designs into execution !
and the fourth of March will dawn upon a
new Western confederacy, aiming at indepen-
dence, defying the power of the national
arms, and co-ope rating with the slave power
of the Southern States in blotting from
existence the free Republic Of the Western
world
We c,ll upon the People to crush all these
schemes, and TO brand their authors and
and allies with their lasting reprobation. We
call upon them to support the government,
20 quell the rebellion, to defend and preserve
the Union. We Call upon them to stand by
the President, who, under circumstances Of
unparalleled difficulty, has welded the pow
er OF the nation with unfaltering courage and
fidelity, with integrity which even calumny
has not dared to impeach, and with wisdom
and prudence upon which success is even
now stamping the surest and the final SEAL
His election will proclaim to the world the
unaltered and unalterable determination Of
the American People to quell the rebellion
and save the Union. 1t will strike down for
ever the false hopes and expectations Of the
Rebel government, and proclaim to the peo-
pie of the Rebel States that their only hope
of peace lies in abandoning their hostility to
the government, and resuming their allegiance
to the Constitution and Laws Of the United
States.
We call upon the Union Committee and
the Union Leagues, and upon all loyal a'so-
Citations in every State, county and town, to
perfect their organizations; to infuse fresh
vigor and activity into their operations !;
to canvass carefully and promptly their re-
spective districts; to circulate Documents
and Newspapers containing just and forcible
expositions of the merits of our cause; to
combat by assemblages of the people in pub
lie meetings, by public speeches, by CONVEX
sation, by letters and personal appeals, and
, in all Just and proper modes, the deceptive
and perilous sophistries Of the agents and
political allies of the rebellion. Let them be
on their guard against the arts OF corruption
and of intrigue which will be brought, with
unscrupulous desperation, to bear upon them
The Rebel government, and those toreisl
Powers most deeply interested in our destruc'
ton, could well afford to exptnd millions IL
overthrowng this administration and placing
in power the nominees and representative:
of the Chicago Convention.
J The skies are bright and full of promise
| The lion hearted citizen soldiers of the Re
public march with steady step and unfalter
ing purpose to speedy and glorious victory
) The heart of the people beats true to tn
> Union. Every triumph of the Union arm
: over the rebel uoops arOuses afresh IN
5 courage and confidence of Union men, AM
chills the heart and decimates the ranks O
: the submission secessionists represented a
D Chicago. A Union victory in November vii
: end the long and laborious strife. 1t wi
: paraize the arm Of the Rebellion. 1t wi
s disperse its armies, destroy the hope b
/ which the depotism at Richmond now hold
e its subjects in bodage, release the people G
s the Southern States from their enforced dis
loyalty, and give them again the blessings @
self-government within the Union and unde
f the protecting Constitution and Flag Of tn
e United States. 1t will enable our own 60,
/ ernmsnt to exchange the weapons of war fc
i the counse.s of peace, to relax the ster
o control over public action and public speec
g which state of war renders unavoidable, {
!. restore out financial system, to dissolve a
Y, military courts, and hand over again to tt
r civil tribunal Of justice the punishment
n crime and the preservation of public orde
i. and to restore to their fresides and the