Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1864-01-07

1863 and 1864.

has just expired as one OF the Welghtiest
in its results upon the progress
and right development of the human
race. 1t will probably be marked as the
year which witnessed the turning point
in the final gigantic struggle of aristoc-
racy against democracy, despotism
against free government popular degrade
ton and ignorance against progressive
elevation and education, might against
right, slavery against freedom the
world over for the influence of the
mighty conflict here raging is not to be
restricted within the limits of these Uni
ted States or of this continent. 1t is to
be Illuminated upon the pages of history,
as now seems beyond doubt, as the year
which decided the triumph and perma-
nency of freedom and progress as en-
bodied in true democracy.
In some of the New York papers we
hnd summaries of the pregnant events of
the year past. One is most forcibly
struck, on comparing these reviews with
those of the year before with the few
ness but fruitfulness of the great bat
ties of 1868. Charlottesville and Gettys-
bnrg only, it is found, are added to the
history of the army of the Potomac;
Stone River and Chicamauga to the ar
my of the Cumberland the series of
battles before Vicksburgh to the army of
the Mississippi; Port Hudson to the ar
my of the Gulf; Chattanooga to the
combined armies of the Cumberland and
the Mississippi; to which may be added
the smaller battles Tin the numbers en-
gaged) resulting in the repulse of Long
street at Knoxville, and in the capture
of Fort Wagner near Charleston. Aside
from these we have but small engage
meNts and skirmishes though many in
number, and some of them fruitful in re-
suits. OF the above some were nominal
defeats to US, as Charlottesville and
Chicamauga, but were also defeats to the
enemy in the irreparable losses of officers,
(Stonewall Jackson at Charlottesville,
for example) and men. The others Sc
cured to us the Mississippi River, Ken
lucky, Tennessee Arkansas and parts of
other States at the West and settled the
question of Northern invasion at the
East.
The effect of our victories OF 1868, how
ever, has been by no means restricted to
the rebels. By their influence we have
conquered abroad Interventionsof Eng
land or France is no longer thought Of
Rebel war vessels building in their ports
are stopped. Rebel loans are out of mar
ket for the want of bidders. Rebel credit
is completely exhausted there as well as
at home. ....-
The voluntary support of the people Of
the South, given in the outset to the re-
bellion, is also exhausted The rebel lea
ders are compelled to resort to FORCE to
keep in the ranks those whose terms of
enlistment are expiring; .forci6le meas
ures only are thought Of by which to
circulate among their own people the
worthless confederate currency In
Richmond ITSELF the rebel promises to
pay pass for less than five cents on the
dollar confidence in their so called gov
eminent is at the lowest ebb; rebel lea
ders assail it and each other; the rebel
press howls with anguish, and even the
pro-secesh correspondents in this coun-
try of pro secesh journals in Europe the
most sanguinely pro-secesh of all, are
dunbfounded and discouraged.
The North has become unitedly loyal,
patriotic and full of hope as it never was
before Disloyalty has met as crushing
defeats at the polls as in the field. Gov
eminent in all its Departments is sus-
tanned bya willing people. Volunteers
are filing up the ranks of our veteran
armies, the veterans themselves are
voluntarily re-enlisting; the people are
eagerly supplying the treasury our ar
mics have learned from experience
how to fight for fruitful victories
the rebel power of resistance is fast dis
solving altogether.
The grand contrast between the situa-
tions in the beginning of 1868 and 1864,
may be summed up in these few words -
the question then was, Can the rebel
lious States be restored to the Union -
the question now only is, "what is the
best plan of perfecting the restoration"
Lukewarmness inborder Slave States
has given place to active loyalty. With
love Of Union comes hatred of the " in
stitution" which came near causing it's
destruction
For what 1868 has done, then, we have
cause for the profoundest gratitude.
With 1854 We hail the advent of year,
which with the continued blessings of
Providence, shall witness the destruc-
tion both of the power of rebellion and
its cause, and Union restored upon the
basis of universal freedom which can
alone develop all its resources and bless.
ings, and render it indestrnctible
THE ADMINISTRATIONS AND THE CONDUCT
OF THB WAR.-The New York Times. from