Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1864-02-19

Two months ago the hopes Of the loyal
North were at high-water mark The rebels
had been whipped at Chattanooga. Their
rams and prospects of foreign aid had been
stopped. \ winter of starvation and ruin
was setting in on them. We We're filling
rapidly our final call for volunteers to close
the fight. The people, discountrng all the
trouble to come, jumped eagerly to the con-
clusIOn that a few weeks or months would
see the crumbling Of the Southern Confeder-
acy and all the talk was Of reconstruction.
and the terms that should be granted to van
pushed or repentant rebels.
But two months have brought an obvious
change in popular feeling. Ii Is plain that
the rebellion, certain as it, ultimate failure
is, will yet fight with the desperation Of the
wild boar at bay. Its leaders are determin-
cd to maintain the contest tall the result Of
our next presidential election is decided-the
result which Is 10 determine whether they
can treat for peace with their friends at the
North, and come back into their old places Of
influence and power in the Union. or wheth-
er they must fly from the country they have
well-nigh ruined or hide in obscuritv while
the Government fills the places of power and
trust IN every southern State, with loyal men
In spite Of assertions and Encouragement,
JEFF. Davis POSSESSES tine power to recruit his
armies, and to plan offensive campaigns
for the spring. President Lincoln has
found 1t necessary To ordcr;.a new
draft, to supply the Deficiencies of former
calls. Plenty more Of hard fighting and
bloodshed Is obviously coming The hungry
and bowling politicians of all parties, are
busy as bees with schemes which have regard
solely to personal and party profit, country
or no country The opponents Of the Ad-
ministration and OF the War have taken
courage and are plotting treason with fresh
activity. There arc ominous symptoms Of
division among the supporters OF the Gov
eminent. Bills are beingi crowded through
Congress which must give iruitful capital
to the howlers, iwhetheri they are lsisncd or
vetoed by the President
These and such like indications are of
course noted 10y the people at large. and
many truesmanIwhose heart beat high two
months ago. is now looking out with clouded
brow and anxious heart There i, danger
that reverse TO our arms. such as NAV
come any day,-for there is no certainty in
war,-may make an ebb Of popular conf
dence and courage as great a. was the flow
that followed the storming of Mission Ridge.
Against all possibility of such a rcyulsion
every patriot should strive, with earnest and
constant effort Let each animate his
own faith by recalling the substantial
progress we have made thus far. and by
remembering that as in the past, SO in the
future, over all reverses, in spite of divisions
and discouragements. the war must 60 on |
Whether 1t takes one year or ten it must and |
will be fought through. to final and complete
victory for the cause of Union. Liberty
and equal rights. Whether it shall take one
year or ten is simply question of the amount
of harmony and singleness of purpose IN our
people. Let all as heretofore. join hands to
push on the 'car; give hearty support to the
Administration, which represents the Govern
ment, by support Of which alone can we now
support the Government, and which in every
department is laboring earnestly and honest
y for the salvation of the Country and the
good of the Republic; labor to furnish men
md money still as they are called for. and re-
use to be drawn aside from the one great
business and purpose of the country, by poll
ical schemers, and We shall soon reach the
nd all good men desire. ;