Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-11-25
Progress of Freedom in the War,


pressible conflict" between freedom an
slavery has again resulted in a gloriou
victory to the cause of humanity an
civil liberty. This gigantic rebellion in
cited to preserve intact the right to hol
slaves is making great havoc to the "Pe
culiar institution" and rapidly addin
states and communities TO the number q
free states. Since the commencement {
the war slavery has been abolished in tn
District of Columbia; the Fugitive Slav
Law has been repealed president Lin
coin has issued his Emancipation Proc
lamation, which has released the bonds o
thousands of slaves; one half OF th'
Old Dominion has a free state constitu
ton. and last, but the greatest stride o
all, the rich and populouS state of Mary
land has shaken off the pollnting insttn'
ton that for many years past has infused
a deadly poison in all her civil polity
weakened the arm of the state, and rem
dered efreminate and lascivous her peo-
pie. Maryland possessed all the natural
advantages requisite to make one OF the
richest and most prosperous states in the
Union, but the institution of slavery with
all it's customs, codes and requirements,
rested like deadening weight upon her
whole social fabric, preventing the immi-
grafton Of the healthy, energetic, resoute
portion of the American people from en-
teriug it's borders and developing its riclI
resources. But now by the choice Of
her own people she takes her place in
the great empire Of free states and joins
hands with every free nation on earth TO
fight the great battle for universal liber-
ty. This great struggle for national life
has demonstrated clearly among many
other things that there is recuperatingI
vigor, healthy, energetic verve, and a.
strong national will in the American com
monwealth that can carry il through even
this fiery ordeal in which it is now pass
ing. The grand elements Of powerful
nation which have remained latent and
almost unrecognized by ourselves, are
now apparent, causing AN utter rout and
discontinue of the bordes Of traitors and
corrupted men who were hattering them
selves that vampire like they had SO fGs-
tened themselves upon our benefcent
system Of government that at any favor
able occasion they could guaw out and
consume the very vitals Of the nation
The adoption Of free state constitution
in Maryland lberates $4,000 slaves and
confers an inestimable benefit on this por-
ton of that degraded race, but the great
benefit that they receive is not more than
commensurate with the great beneficial
results that will accrue to the state oil
Maryland, TO the whole United States
and to the cause Of human progress and
civilization everywhere. 1t is grea
advance to the highest civilization which
is the ultimate end towards which all ma
tions should be progressing. Especially
Is it highly advantageous to the Uniol
cause in maintaining the supremacy o
the federal government. 1t gives US 1
free state on tho great highway between
the north and the capital. Our troop
aud munitions OF war can pass through
the state with safety. No more scene
like that of the 10Th of April, 1861, vii
be enacted in Baltimore, when soldiers o
the Union on their way to the nationa
capital were shot down ike dogs by tn
cut-throats of that city. President Lin.
colu or any other patriot will not again b,
compelled to travel in disguise through
the q monumental city" II will infus,
new coorsge into every living Union low
ing patriot in the land, both in the ARM
and at home. II will show to all patton
that the natural fruits Of this great strug
gle i, the abolition Of slavery with all il
attendant evils. Il will discourage IN,
leaders Of the rebellion and compel theu
TO comprehend that they are struggling
against the natural law Of nations and o
God that they are battling against tn,
NANTES, destiny Of the American nation
which 10 that aR---the black as we'll a
tue whitehall become free and en-
lightened, bound together by The strong
est ties Of friendship, and the most fer
vent love for the Union and the constiiu.
ton. Would that the rebels could see
that they are attempting something I'M
natural and in complete antagonism to
the laws OF God and mana rebellion 10
enslave people, in which an aristoeracy
are madly endeavoring TO rid themselves
Of the rule Of the majority. The lesson
that Maryland has laugh, them is the i'm.
possibility Of their cause, as the re-elec-
ton of president Lincoln must convince
them Of the hopelessness Of their attempts