Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1864-01-29
From the New York Timesl
The ReNOlntIon of Ideas.

The Revolution of Ideas.
The Ideas Of the Raids; The IDEAS Of the Con-
serrGfiues; The Ideas Of the Politicians; The
Ideas Of The People; The Triumph Of the
People ia a Great ReroiUii0a.
TuE BEEcHEs. Thursday, Jan. IA, 1864.
The rebellion Il a great affair; the war is a
great thing; the energy put forth by the country
Is a mighty work. But greater than all these,
by far, is the revolution Of ideas. 1t Is the great
est intellectual movement ever known in SO short
a time. Three brief summers only have passed
away, and a vast fabric of intellectual fctions
apparently deep-seated in the minds Of the lead
ing men of the United Sates) has been swept
away. 1t is true they were fctions; but what
have been the greater part Of the ideas preva-
lent in political society, but fctions Europe is
overlaid with legal fctions of the most monstrous
kind-sanctoned neither by God or nature. We
should soon have been in the same condition, if
the rebellion had not fortunately come on. The
supposed divine right Of Kings is no more false
than the supposed right to hold slaves. Yet this
fictitious right was imbedded in the Constitution,
made practical in laws, entered into commerce,
and became literally an element Of the American
mind Men were found in all ranks and con-
ditions Of society, who continually asserting
they were not for Slayery-not they Yet they
were continually siding with the party, the men
and the acts, which sustained Slavery They
seemed 10 be utterly unconscious that their words
and acts were in direct contradiction. They were
not to blame. Ii Is one Of those common histor-
ical decisions which are prevalent among all
people who thoughtlessy adopt popular and
fashionable opinions. Il Is as prevalent in poll
tics as in dress. To such people the rebellion
was ike the earthquake at Caracas. They were
shocked into truth by falling houses rendered
unilhabimble Their political structure in
ruins Their political ideas were vagrant, in
search Of other dwellings But such a revolu-
ton never stops half way. Rebels and National
ists have been compelled TO adopt a new philo-o-
ply. II Is a healthy, inyigorating process, ben
cfcial 10 both The nation viii sail grander,
nobler, better from the revolution ofideas. In a
brief time the H0Ui h0HiHes-the men Of new
idcas-will rise to the act of government in both
North and South.
But let Us look al this revolution ofideas, aud
see what has been done. With what ideas did
the South begin this war, They can be very
briefly stated. They are simple propositions |
First, Cotton j. King" Next because Got |
ton IS King slavery is essential To the
prosperity Of the South and it, institutions must
be founded on slavery Thirdly, the ''Ststes I
Rights Doctrine gave them a right 10 seceie [
and fourthly. Secession would be PEACEFUL
and they become au independent, hourishing /.
Slave Empire These were the political and |
commercial ideas Of the South when they COM /
menced their work Of secession. How much of 1
all those ideas remain ia tine Southern mind /
Except IN a few dies erite leaders Of men, not a 1
particle Of that vast fabric remains. Cotton /.
j. King " here Is IT'S kingdom, The South /
expected Europe 10 rush to arms for cotton. /
What has followed Europe Is and Will be- "a /
quiet as lambs Europe wants bread more than |
it wants cotton. Cotton was not exported from |
aI,1s. az. . j !
do for cotton then Was there no one to tell |
these deudei mortals that the world had once I
got along cry well without american cotton I
Cotton failed, and there are no more cotton ideas
IN politics. Slavery is essential" Cotton and 4
sugar are now easier raised ou the Mississippi I
without Slavery thlu with IT, The necessity for 1
Slavery has vanished Arms have captured the /
slaves and Juruel them into soldiers The thing |
itself s last disappearing. Secession will De |
peaceful o.. Look 40 the peace It has produced I
Battles--e-es- ruin-blOod-leat and desola-
tion Ii is as peaceful as the fan Of Lucifer !
from Heaven
The South is as peaceful and happy as that
dark, demoniac kingdom. over which Satan
reigns with wailiHg and guashing of teeth |
What harmony they enjoy AT Richmond What /
quiet, happy times in Charleston What lovely .
scenes on the ruined plantations Of Mississippi I
and Louisiana States Rights doctrine -
What greater delusion Had DO men in the
South sense enough TO see that no country could
exist with such a doctrine That even if It were
possible with the small Confederate States Of
Greece, it is utterly impossible with great ma
ton Where are now those great Ideas of the
South? Vanished, ike the fabric of a vision.
The spear Of lthuriel has touched them, and the
South will rise from her Madness clothed aud in
herright mind
Let Us look at conservative ideas. What are
conservative ideas | can find no better illus
tration than in McClelans impertinent letter
70 the President, Of July 1862. That extraorii
nary document has this passage
Neither eondsoaion Of property, political execu-
tons Of prisoners, territorial organizations Of
States, or forcible abolition Of slavery should be
contemplated for moment. Unless
the principles governing the future conduct Of our
struggle shall be made known ana approved the
effort to obtain requisite forces will be almost hope
Ices. declaration of radical views, especially
upon slavery, WIZ rapidly dlsinte-raie cur present
armies
This was in July. 1862. Congress did coniis-
cate property, the President did emancipate;
tens of thousands Of slaves were captured; and
tens of thousands are in our armies. Yet, the
army Is not dsintegrated; volunteering hes not
stopped; and the army was never IN as good
condition. Indiana and some other States have
filled their whole quota of the last call by yolun-
teering alone; and if Mr.. Mcclellan Will show
me any considerable part OF the army which is
not for abolishiny Slavery, shall be obliged 10
him for the information such are conservative
ideas Where are t5e,-r,,e VfJ- Lo -
beyond tie food Ana ,ri.. Il. ;,,.ili'.er, -
men of the South rsi,s Of -fsn,,
Gen. CAN'T. or Arkansas -
..Tto,.,..- .-.t.-,-
fields. f5rsaseI f- ,5 .,5,i h, q. "a re-.
monument Of slavery. They turn fr',. n wish
oathlng lnqeserhd lo- Pr "tiis 90 9-a are 80 :
~. ~ g'a' '' i'l.,aHgs ron ne ese
., 10 ss.5 l.e ,s IT, ~. ais n r.- -'l +, i,T r
'.le-a.,s WIN s-afe1{ t.tted from cur state q
2IIstltuton: what a sight j. here presented !
var vorI 4iis o4y 10 -sta.e ,tisr,ik lr s-r.
'atism." [
Nov. what are the iieas OF rol.-i,,r.s Inst d
low they are in "a state .s ,gaDderfll bavflIer- RI
nent They have vske,l nm and fund no. =
location gone There E, d. ..,olu,i0r "a, ,I..,. r
ieas. Heretofore -bav bay. l.,.r ..,,.,,-,sj -
80. ill., %