Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1866-02-27


Was entirely in sympathy with the crowd ne was
il not most of whom would
have eagerly joined mob to hang negroes on
lamp posts, or would have bludgeoned MIR. sum
ner or Mr.. Stevens with the most savage delight
men who would have cheered Valandigham
and Ben Wood with the utmost enthusiasm ana
would have gone wild with joy over the appoint
ment of JEFF. Davis as Secretary OF War. 1his
sea of mad pro-sIavery humanity vocferousiy
cheered almost every sentence OF President
Johnson's harangue, and believed him, az re
seemed only too willing they should, as one of
themselves. The speaker claimed to be following
the policy Of President Lincoln, but his great and
wise, and discreet predecessor would sooner have
given bis body to be burned, than have addressed
such an assemblage with such a TRADE OF abuse OF
Others and 81 ch a surfeit Of aduaton OF himself
Whatever hope may have been felt hitherto
that the President was disposed heartily to CO.
reach safe, wise, and Just reconstruction OF the
South. . reconstruction which should renew the
life Of that portion of the Union in the name and
in the spri of universal liberty and equal rights
this speech must rudey dispel. 1t is an I'M
equvoeal declaration of executive hostility to the
Republican majority in Congress and the Re-
publican sentiment of the country declaration
which in itself, and in all its accessories, is not
softsned by single mitigating circumstance, and
il not relieved by single hopeful ray OF light.
L. is in itself an insult to Congress, and to the
people who make and unmake Congresses and
Presidents, and an insult so aggravated that it
should through the press, through public meet
iuss, and through the solemn action of Congress,
b, calmly yet with proper spirit severely reouked.
The President has by this speech violently sun
dered the tie which up to that moment drew
many hopeful Republicans to him and led them
kindly to construe his language into meaning ia
vorsble to libsrty and he did this under such cir
cumstances of aggre vation, seeking by 1t to win
applause from q rebble whose sympathles were
and -l~ays had been with the rebels and their
cur, tia: he must be indeed a sanguine man
Who can ees 10 the future much hope for success
OF lb,rty and equality from the influence OF the
| sets Of Andrew Johnson.
But no President can long obstruct the march
of ,hi, people to their destiny, the full enfran-
| chisemeu. OF I'll men and equal rights for all.
Id-ss ere stronger than President or Congress
An unf.thful or unbelieving public servant may
pu. sim,,lf ia the wey CT the progress of liberty
Blu. he eaDnot permanently arrest it. If he Joins
| it, enemies his official influence may aid them to
gain temporary success, which they will celebrate
| 9TH meetings, bonfres and cannon, but truth
-ad Righteousness, dsfrsuded OF their triumph to-
d =, gill rene the battle tomorrow. and in the
l he
viii .ot cbsndon their cause lose heart because
b., vhom thsy have chosen 20 carry out their
will il E.ltering, End seems inclined to betray them.
They have determined to fight the battle through.
II |. ders Gesert them, their principles remain
Ju-tice and righteousness are still inscribed on
their ctanoards, and sfound these they will rally
nov - heretofore. They acknowledge no man IS
ll,.der, they follo~ man, who is unfaithful to
these prinsiplss. And if the President chooses
TO turn his face toward the South and oestow the
sunshine OF his favor and influence upon traitors
md Incl. malignant G;Dpsthizers, 1t is IN his pow
o &c do 60 but in doing SO, be will par company
with tho. Tho hsvo made aim chief mag strate'
I'D Ill consign hia nala, TO an iniamy as much
mo.' corapicuou ,hen That OF Tyler, as the cause
la .r-7. i more preciou- then the mere party
Il
-dvantagss -3hich that renegade surrendered.
| CosGREss.-TEs speech OF ths President last
Thy.sdsy his occssioned very deep feeling amoUg
tie Republican members Of Congress. caucus
rs & aeld Friday night and adopted the following
| s,loutio- {:
| RssoseS That one member from each State having
Union either branch OF Congress be
appointed who shall constitute general Congressional
Commuee for raising me distributing cocu
political information 10 the people of the
country, Gene raj Committee shall appoint
Commrtae seven, who, under their superi
sios shall attend to the specific objects in
| licstsd.
MI Woodbridge represents Vermont upon this
Committee.
L, the 5enatc Friday, Mr.. Fessendsn called up
= House resolution relative to reconstruction,
| AID spoks calmly in support OF it, and urged its
pz=@acs declaration that Congress had rig ht
to iaquiso and legisate upon the subject No
action was taken the resolution, and probably
nom will be for several days.
Congress seems ready to meet the issue ten
d0sed by the President dispassonately, and yet
With = settled and resolute purpose The Presi-
dent has pu, himself, by bis Incorporate speech,
clearly in the wrong and has thus made the path
| of duty before Representatives and Senators very
| clear. The people nov look to Congress to meet
the crisis like men, and if they do, the country
4il enthusiastically support them.
INT n