Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1865-01-27
THE LESSON.

From the experience Of the past we are to
learn wisdom for future guidance. The events
of the past three or four years are frought with
valuable instruction. In no age or country
have their been greater lessons for the thought
full than those which have been open to the
study of this nation. The most gigantic re-
belon, the most fierce and bloody battles that
were ever known, have deluged our country in
blood, and filed our homes with sorrow. I'm
told treasures have been expended 10 carry on
this terrible war. AID what is the lesson p
Why all this sacrifice of life and property
What the primal cause Of all these losses and
sufferings? 1t is to be sought in departure
from those great principles of liberty, justice
and right on which it was intended to lay the
foundation of our government and on which
every government to be stable and enduring,
must be based.
Our fathers declared that all men are emit
tied to equal civil and political rights; that
among the unahenablc rights TO which they are
born are life, liberty and the pursuit Of happi
ness. Our government was established TO Sc
cure (among other things) "he blessings of
liberty to ourselves and our posterity." Here
are grand principles Nhey accord with the dec.
larai;on of the greatest and noblest OF the first
teachers of our religion: "God has made of
one blood all nations of men," A government
established on the basis Of such principles
ought to stand mistaken, and it would stand
firm as ashore of rock" if administered in
accordance with the spirit Of these principles.
But at the establishment OF our government an
institution was allowed to remain in some Of
the States utterly at war with these principles (;
it was tolerated by the National government;
nay, more, it was not only recognized but fos-
tered by it. The government allowed slavery
TO have an influence in the House of Represen-
tatives it allowed the continuance of the slave
trade to the year 1908; it enacted fugitive
slave law during Washington's administration
another more unjust and barbarous during the
administration of Fillmore; and at later pc
Rod the head of the judiciary branch of the
government declared that "negroes have no
rights which white men are bound TO respect"
In this institution we find the disturbing force,
the destructive element of our National peace.
The demands of slavery were imperious. The
more it got the more it wanted 1t ercroached
on liberty. 1t was constantly asking new
pledges for its security and extension. 1t was
determined to rule; to bring the whole govern
ment and country under its power,-and when
it found it could not do this when liberty as
serted its rights-when ii had gained over the
majority and man elected President
pledged to restrain and limit the aggressive
power of slavery, then its minions seeded
nominally established separate government
made war on the constitutional and legal gov
eminent of the country, declaring that they
would have an independent Confederacy will
slavery as its cornerstone. Hence this bloody
war. Hence the sacrifice Of 80 much blood ant
treasure. For we could rot submit, TO such al
outrage on our rights. We could not ALLOW
our government to be overthrow our Uniol
dissolved-our liberties trampled in the dust
and our institutions destroyed so we rose il
our might, met the foe in deadly conflict, AM
are determined to conquer. And now what i
this. A people to be peaceful and prosperou
must practice that which is just and right A
. nation to be strong and enduring must wall
uprightly and deal justly with all men. A gov
eminent to be stable and firm must secure thei
inalienaLle rights to all that come under il
rule. 1t must guarantee and protect the libert
and the rights of the poorest, the weakest an,
the most ignorant as well as of the highest III
strongest and the most gifted. This expert
ence which we are now having verfes in mos
emphatic manner tie ancient declaration, tru
always, Righteousness exaleh a nation, bu
sin is rtproach to any people" And now lie
us get rid of this disturbing element, this ma
tional sin and national curse let us make tn
practical working of our government accor
with the spirit of the declaration of our fathers
doing strict justice to all men, procaimng iii
erly throughout the land to all the inhabi,ant
thereof, and securing to all their rights, an
then, when this rebellion is over and the W,
ended, We may rghliully anticipate long yea
of true peace and righteous prosperity.
KANSAS
The Legislature and the Supreme Court