Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1865-07-13

its own oligarchy and controlling the
policy of the free states by its sympa,
thizers and abettors, il was but a natu-
raj step in the advance TO defy the voice
of the nation and seek the life OF the re-
public. Hence came forced upon the
friends of the Union the issues OF war,
"a separation rom the oligarchy of
slavery or surrender Of all the dear
old truths, which amidst prayers and
tears and blood our fathers announced
as the fundamental principles OF the re-
public,
1t will thus be seen that all our ma
tional tribulations have grown out OF
the one great and damning crime OF AT
rican slavery.
Since IL has been seen that the march
of our country and the march of slave
ry were upon parallels-that instead OF
being weakened in the growth and de-
velopment of the nation it In fact be-
came stronger day by day and year by
year, no question has been more widely
agltated by statesmen and philanthro-
pists than how or completely with the
national crime could be peacefully and
constitutionally sundered. But q few
years ago nothing seemed more improb-
able than the solution we witness to-
day. Here again the great truth comes
home to US that man proposes aud God
disposes. The voice of the republic had
called TO the head of the nation repre-
sentative man of the people. Born un-
der the fiery starof the slave od-nur-
tured in its school of oppression-a vol
untary exile from the land of chains
and servitude, and literally hewing out
for himself hone and name in free
state-plucked by the hand of Jefferson
from the devastating flames Of slavery,
Abraham Lincoln came in his simple
ity and trusting in q Higher Power, TO
the administration Of our national az
fairs. Sitting in the chair OF state he
saw the Threatening clouds gathering
for the storm. They portended war,
but few could be convinced that the
most beneficent government the sun
ever shone upon would be voluntarily
touched by the unholy hands of rebels
in arms. When Iuffian hands had &C
tually fired upon our honored flag it was
vatnly hoped thai our political horizon
would be cleared in sixty days, and the
sun of peace again shine upon US.
The Southern States were only "seay-
tCard sisters who needed proclamation
and little reasoning, and would then
lay down their arms and assume
rightful allegiance.
Time demonstrated the fallaCy of this
reasoning, But the powers Of diplo-
macy were still to be tried against the
fact of war. The border state policy
would yet satisfy tle south. This was
the silver lining Of the cloud which
seen upon the other side would light the
southern land with the rays of peace.
The nation saw in theory that slavery
was the burden of this war, but they
hesitated to touch the monster coiled
and venomed for his fatal plunge. Mil
lions of human beings watched and
prayed and groaned for deliverer. The
affairs of earth were wet with their
tears-the very air was laden with
their walls, and He without whose no.
tice not even q sparrow falleth to the
ground, was fashioning events with an
unseen hand for their salvation. We
would poultice aud molify our national
sore, but we would not extract the
thorn which was fostering in its great
infamed centre. The voice Of God was
heard above the din of the conflict as
our soldiers fed in confusion from the
Bull Run battle field" Loose the bonds
of wickeduess-undo the heavy bur-
dens-let the oppressed go free-break
every yoke " and henceforth We shall
ride upon the high places of the earth
for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken
it." Thanks be to God who giveth US
the victory this voice was needed. The
gordian knot was tied, but the sword of
justice in the proclamation of freedom
severed its intricate fastenings, and a
new era dawned upon the nation. The
thorn in the flesh of the republic must
be extracted as a condition precedent to
the process Of healing. Every fibre
must be removed ere the warm and pure
life current would flow to every extrem-
ity and the purified nation stand up once
more, the emblem of justice, humanity,
liberty and law. The nation incurred
in sackcloth and ashes for its SINS
Bowed in humility, it clasped to it's
great heart the immortal declaration OF
independence. Rising with the con-
seriousness of the approving smile of
Heaven, it girded its loins for q new
and holier conflict. He who rides upon
the whirlwind and directs the storm
was our great Captain. But the hour
of triumph had not yet come. There
Were dark corners of the Republic
where the demon of slavery still Turk
ed. Up from the land of slaves still
came the cry" Break every yoke''-and
a brighter era dawned upon the young
Republic. By an irrevocable military
tat the chain OF every slave under the
dominion of the rebel flag was broken.
In kentucky and part of Tennessee, in
Missouri and part of Louisiana, the lair
Of the demon was undisturbed His
Businesses must be invaded, and the
crushed, This was the work
Of the statesman and the 38th Congress
must harmonic the Constitution OF the
United States with the declaration of
....
come now to the work of the consum-
nation of Liberty. The last day of Jan
nary, 1865, will in all time be as memo
rabe and historic, as that which gave
birth to American Independence. The
38lh Congress will be hereafter referred
10 as the one which consummated the work
which the fathers of the revolution began.
do not wonder that on that memorable