Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1865-12-01
a i ear ago and Now.

Then, the sound Of mighty war came up
from all quarters of the vast field on which
it had ragged for most Of the four previous
years. Sherman with his great army had
been for weeks lost to sight, working his
way-remote from any base of supplies or
aid. without any power of communication
between him and the Government-irom
Atlanta through the heart Of Georgia, to
reach, if possible. some indefinite point on
the seaboard We heard from him only in
the reports Of rebels claiming partial sue
ocsses over him, and prophecying the sure
destruction or capture Of his whole force
We did not believe them, yet we could not
but be anxious for when before in any land
was there such hazardous and daring move
ment? Months had passed away since
Grant with his large army had occupied the
position below Petersburgh, and so far as
the popular eye could see, he was no nearer
the capture of Richmond than when the in
decisive battles OF the Wilderness were fought.
On the banks of the Cumberland, FIRE b
and bloody battles between the forces under
Hood and Thomas were impending. True,
the courage and spirit Of the loyal people Of
the North did not fail them. They had just
met at the polls the band Of conspirators
against the nations honor and liberties,--who
declared the war. on the part Of those who
had been at the head OF affairs for four
wears, failure and disgrace, and that
peace must be sought at once by concessions
to the rebels,-and they had given them and
their deluded followers g stunning defeat.
With undated zeal they were filling up the
Union armies with fresh recruits. Yet, to
outward appearances, the rebel leaders were
as deteImIned-eertainly were as defiant
as ever.
We need not recount what took place be-
tween that time and the middle Of April
how Sherman swept through Georgia and
South Carolina, how Savannah and Charles
ton were captured. how fercely and how
long the battle ragged below Petersburg. how
Richmond in flames by the hand OF retreat
Ing .ebels was triumphantly entered by the
Union troops how Lee and johnson surrender
ed. how President Lincoln walked uuguarded
through the streets cf Richin nd, how jeff
DAVIS fed and WAS captured, how that
black deed OF treason and murder at Wash
ineton SEM mourning, woeTin- and anguish
oYoy the land and caused a siujder Of hor
ror shrough at all christenlJm. In a few
short months, al these great cvcnts-iike
the sudden shifting of scenes an . theatre
passed before Us.
All JLis has passed away. almost like dream
Of the night. Eight hundred thousand men IN
arms have been quietly dishauded and sent to
their homos. lects Of armed shiQs have been
deprived Of their armament and sold to he US
ed peaceful commerce The iron monitors are
slowed away in barbor. From the great lakes
to the Gulf OF Mexico. from the banks OF the
Potomac TO the Rio Grande, no; solitary
squad Of men is urrlyod in arms against the
National Authority; not fort. ship, or
outpost has the r,',l confederate flag lyiuc
over it. SCOTS ana jcess from presses in the
interest of the rebels. come no more to Us
from beyond the Atlantic. Ire United S;atc>
is spoken OF abroad only as a great and
powerful nation whose friendship l. mos
important and whose commerce is To b,
sought for.
But though Congress has no more work to
40 in providing for the wants af q mighty
war, 1t has a great work before 10 600 secure
a lasting peace. and TO prevent that poison.
Gus element which was the cause Of SO much
bloodshed and woe, from perpetuating its
life and power Of mischief. There is large
body-apparently a yet controlling body OF
men at the South-who hope to regain by |
craft, by false pretcnces and by the and o.
those who sympathize with them at the |
North, the ascendency in tie National coun-
ellis which they had for so long period be-
fore the rebellion. Under the deceptive
phrase-''no State can take itself out OF the
Union most dangerous doctrine is
asseered by many. The language
of large party is that every
State, even though it waged cruel
and relentless war against the National su-
thority, COR four years with all its resources.
ami says ii submits to what 1t cannot help
now, since it can not fight any more. has
a right to take forthwith It's place in Con
gress by its senators and representatives, I'M
questioned, just as if it had always been as
loyal as the best; and that fragrant rebels
have as good right to elect and be elected
to State and National Offices as those who al
ways were the most loyal. This monstrous
doctrine cannot be admitted without imper-
illing the future OF the Nation TO fearful
degree. Though the Executive and Congress
may well lean towards mercy to the guilty,
yet treason is great and dangerous crime.
To overlook it wholly is to weaken the power
Of the Nation for good, both at home and
abroad, beyond all PREPARATION. We have no
ear that the National authority, exercised
through any ofits departments, will be guilty
If excessive severity towards the people of
he South who have levied war against it's
authority, taken individually or collective
y. Whatever might the course in govern
nents on different basis in such a case,
he Iropensities of popular government do
lot lie towards severity. They are all in an
opposite direction, and so much the more in
his case will it be prudent for Congress to !,
,e careful not to commit itself to false steps
which can not be recalled.
There is little doubt low, that before long
be Constitutional Amendment will have {
eea ratified nv the reouisita nuuher IF 4