Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1864-06-17
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
Thus pledging the support of the paper to his
reelection. Now mark the honesty Of the
Times Underneath, as the leading article, we
find the following
"ABUsE OF THE PARDoNING PowER.-It'is
confidently asserted in many of the leading
journals Of the country that Mr.. Lincoln's be-
nevolence has again got the better of him that
his mercy, which endureth forever, is going to
drop like the gentle dew from heaven upon the
heads of two fraudulent horse contractors and
a swindling quarermaster. We are reluctant
to believe such charges true, but it cannot be
disputed that il will not lie the first time that
the Presidents solt-hear,edness has been most
calamitous in its public influence. His clemen-
cy beginning early in the war with the careless
and sleeping sentinel, was gradually extended
to the bastard deserter the failhIess or incom-
peent General, and has now eliminated, it is
said, in pardoning penitent horse-,hief, who,
receiving the official blessing, is officially hidden
TO go and sin no more"
Who has not read the remarks Of Anthony
over the dead body of Caesar, and wondered a!
the subtle influence of those seeming honest
words. The fact is, no surer means for under
mining character and influence exists than those
used under the guise of friendship. This style
has long been peculiar to the Times, but this
article is its masterpiece. Mark the way it
commences: at is confidently asserted in many
"of the leading journals cf the country that
"Mr. Lincolns benevoence has again got the
"better of him" and that he is TO pardon swind-
lers, &c. See how far the Times goes for a
,ho D. "a,
fesses TO support. 1t takes up the "rumor of
the press" and launches out upon the reading
world an article more damaging in its charac-
tel than the most violent copperhead paper ever
published. How ready it is to find fault How
eager to spit out lis slime on the noble, self
made man, who, with his strong common sense
and warm heart, has made himself the oracle
of nation and The fitting head of free peo
pie. Had the Times intended to support him
honestly it need not have taken up "rumor,"
but in his vigorous measures, his constant sup
port of Grant, and his frmness against the
clamors of radicals of all kinds, might have
been found deeds worthy of more brilliant
pen even than Everetts or Raymond's.
saws the Times. Yes, as reluctant as was An
thony to stir the people up to Sudden mutiny."
The Times can never blind the eyes of honest
men with these smooth adder-like articles
They bear on them the dingy color of the dead
/ ~ copperheod. The time has gone by when
/ loyalty can patch her garments with cunningly
( wrought pieces of foreign stamp. Those who
are for the government must support it even as
, we support bosom frend-helping, cheering,
I sustaining. The Times has never done this
/ since Mr.. Clarke left the office. 1t has been
noted for its gross personal abuse, and its petty
/ fault-fndngs and captious criticisms. 1t gross
ly abused Gov Fairbanks for personal motives.
1t grossly slandered Gov. Holbrook because he
would not appoint one of its editors his Secre-
tary of Civil and Military Affairs. The Presi-
dent has ever been an object for attack under
the guse of friendship. And now, to crown
i all, the first time it places his name at the head
/ of its columns it is followed by an article that
| is calculated to raise against him the honest in
digna,ion of tax-burdened people without the
I least foundation, by its own admission, save the
''rumor of the press" on which to found such
charges The Times closes its article by calling
on the people to denounce the man that it pre-
tends 10 support.
abuse Of pardoning potcer!" How long age
was it that the Times was denouncing the Pres.
ident for being too seyereP
This article of the Times is unusually clear
pointed and forcible. II is evidently none n
Mr.. Bigeow's, whose long drawn out billion,
attacks always smack of the pot-house black
guard. 1t is an article that will be copied by
opposition papers generally, and will be pow
erlul addition to their ranks. 1t will have oil
influence as coming from paper that pretend
to be friendly. The Times is powerless, as al
enemy, TO injure, but when, in the bosom of
party II is nursed into life, and urcoils itself il
friendly guise, it can sting like an adder ant
poison like copperhead. TRAxUs.
!