The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1866-01-12
The Voice of the North.

Those who have solaced themselves
with the prediction that the members OF
during their vacation, would
meet with influences at home calculated
to soften their dealings with the late re-
bellious South, will not derive much COM
fort from the perusal OF the documents
recently issued in connection with the as
sembling of Northern legislatures, They
probably exported nothing from MasSa-
chusetts-and they get it. Governor Bull
lock has not yet spoken, but his decided
sentiments on national affairs are sutfi-
GENTLY well known already. Governor
Andrews valedictory has spoken for IL
self. and the whole country will not be
Indifferent to its earnest and wise eounsel>.
While dealing with the whole subject IN \
very dispasSionate and temperate tone,
Governor Andrew yet firmly maintains
that we have no right TO omit TO secure TO
the freedmen their equality OF rights be-
fore the law, including the right to vote,
according to regulations of universal, and
not of unequal and capricious, applica-
ton.
And this seems to he the general senti-
ment of the North, 50 far as we can Judge
from the expressions of lis most recently
chosen representatives. Gov. Cony OF
Maine says that " the return Of the re-
VOTED states to the Union upon any other
basis than that of limiting the exercise of
political rights to the actually loyal popu-
lation, or one which shall fail TO secure
the recognition of the colored race as free
men, having equal rights and obligations
with the whites, or omitS TO provide for
their moral and intellectual culture - III
dispensable to the citizen of the free state.
cannot be contemplated except with the
profoundest alarm" Gov. Femton of
New York declares that anything less than
the most explicit guarantees of loyalty and
justice on the part Of the rebel states will
be mistaken leniency, and will endanger
the perpetuity Of the government. Speak
er Tremain of the New York assembly
enumerates among the great duties of the
day, - the civil and political rights OF the
freedmen, and the best modes OF protect
Ing, securing and improving those rights. "
Gov Fairchild of Wisconsin declares that
the indispensable conditions of the read
mission of Southern states should include
the protection OF the freedmen ia all his
civil tights and his admission To the ballu,
box according 10 Somc standard vi inlcli-
gence. The presiding officers ot the two
houses Of the Pennsylvania legislature III
ter their sentiments with great holiness.
one of them, after picturing the atrocities
of the rebel leaders, and douhting whether
their present appeals for mercy ought to
be granted. says: '-Ccrtainly none >ach
should ever be allowed 10 TAKE any part iii
the government OF the nation
These developments are significant only
in view OF Tie attempts recently made 10
represent the North a. yiellin. to a rc.,c-
tionary tendency since the first assembling
of congress There Is not he las. ionn-
dation for any such cilar.e, The i.eoi.le
are As determined upon securing the ia-t
fruits of Victory o.cr treason ior the >ike
of justice 10 all classes. AMI oug OF REGARD
10 the permanent peace am,! ~ccuritv OF The
land. rs thev Were upon the lay when
they heard OF Lees surrender. or upon
that when they heard of President LII
coins ASSASSINATION. Il they see the Iiili-
culties of the whole stihiec; somewhat
more plainly, that may modify ,heir poll
cy, but does not affect their purpc>c.-
Boston J0armaL