Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1865-01-13
Jaatrbman & STATE ;lu,rsI.
MONTPELIER. JAN. IS. 1865.
BY X. p. WALTON

ABRAHAM LrNooLN.--The leading article
in the North American Review, No. CCVI, is
review of Henry J. Rsymond's History Of
the Administration Of President Lincoln.
We quote from it enough to enlist the inter-
est of our readers, and induce some Of them,
perhaps, to read both he History and the
Review. Very gladly would we copy the
whole article il our limits would permit
after a careful, deliberate, and serious re-
view Of Mr.. Bincoln's course during the past
four years. We 90 not hesitate to say that
there is no statesman in America to whose
hands the great authority aud power Of he
Presidency could be more itly or confidently
committed. And in saying this, we do not
disregar the fact, that the affairs Of the ma
ton during the next four years will demand
the highest stateemanship in the men called
upon to direct them. The questions which
returning peace aud the re-establshment Of
the government will bring up for determine
ton will be no less perplexiLg than those
which have attended the course of the war.
To restore the state, to settle the Union upon
the firm foundations of order, will be task
requiring the best wisdom. 1t is vain to
attempt to predict the exact form in which
these questions will present themselves, but
upon heir correct solution depends the flu
ture welfare of the nation I; and they will,
we may be sure, be debated upon with an
earnestness of feeling proportioned to their
importance. And it is plain that what we
have hitherto been but imperlectly as
nation, we are to become thoroughly. Amer
ion Il Ia hoanpaa Apnarinan W. hava
passed the period of experiment. We have
met, resisted, and overcome the worst perils.
Prosperity and adversely have alike instruct.
ed in the worth Of our institutions, have
alike confirmed our confidence in the genuine
principles OF democracy, and streng thened our
filth in popular government.
" We are now entering upon an era in
which the political principles which are dis
tinctively American, as having been here, for
the first time during the history Of the world,
deliberately established as the foundation of
great, free political community, are TO have
fuller scope and new development. The prn-
ciples themselves are as old as the moral
ture OF man for they ale simply the expres-
sion of the natural rights Of man in society.
The political equality of man, their right to
equal justice and freedom, their right to self
government their right to every means Of
self-development consistent with the general
welfare. these are the essence Of the Ameri-
can system of democracy. To give to these
principles their broadcast applications, to en-
body these rights in practical measured, to
harmonic special acts Of administration with
the general system, is the duty of those in
trusted with the power of the state. The men
who are most fully possessed by the spirit
OF our system, the men who have most con-
hdence in 1t, are those to whose hands the
administration of the general government
may most safely be committed and there has
never been a statesman in America more
thoroughly in sympathy with the best inter-
es's of the American people, or more com
pletely imbued with reverence for those ideas
OF justice, freedom, and humanity which in
spre American Institutions, than Abraham
Lincoln. =
BY birth, by education, by sympathy,
Mr.. Lincoln is Of the people. His training
has been in the popular school. He is an
American in the best sense and it is a cir
cumstsnce beyond measure fortunate, that
man of this stamp should be at the head of
affairs at juneture so critical as the present.
and during period in which American prn-
plies are, as we have said, to receive new de-
veopments and wider application.
The prevailing quality OF Mr.. Lincoln as
statesman is his confidence, as he has himself
expressed 1t, IN " government of the people,
by the people, for the people," From his
first expression as President. this has been
his ruling idea. In the brief address that he
delivered at Indianapolis on the day that be
left Springfield to 90 to Washington, the
l lth Of February, 1861 he said, in words
OF the depth of whose meaning even he at
that time was but partially conscious, " OF
the people, when they rise in mass in behalf
of the Union and Of the liberties OF their
country, truly may it be said, The gates of
hell shall not prevail against them :" and
be concluded his address with the words, a"
appeal TO you ag,in to constantly bear in
mind that with you, not with politicians, not
with Presidents, not with Office seekers, but
with you, rests the question, Shall the Union,
and shall the liberties Of this country, be pre-
served to the latest generation p Again and
J gam, In the short speeches made by him
during his journey to Washington. be dwelt
on this idea. 1t is with you, the people,
TO advance the great cause of Union and the
lConstitution.' am sure | bring heart
true 20 the work. For the abilitv to perform
it, must trust in that Supreme Being who
has never forsaken this favored land, through
the fundamentally of this great and intel;-
gent people," The same idea runs through
the Inaugural Address, resppeadng in various
forms as it presents itself in connection with
the ci erent topics trea ed in that memorable
discourse. This country, with its institu-
tions, belongs to the people who inhabit IT,"
H" The chief magistrate derives all his author
/ i;y from the people" "Why should there
not be patient confidence in the ultimate
justice OF the people, Is there any better or
equal hope in the worldi"
There is indeed nothing particularly new
in the manner of these statements, and moth
ing original in the idea of the supremacy of
the people. The new and remarkable thing
in them is, that whereas hitherto these ideas
have been held with more or less sinceri and
confidence by our statesmen, they are the
groundwork of Mr.. Lincolns political con-
yictons they are the essence of his political
creed. The importance to the country of
having a man in the Presidential chair during
the rebellion who was thoroughly and practi-
cally in earnest in holding these doctrines, is