Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1868-02-19
gaatthman & Stair 5uurnaI.
BY E p. WALTON
MONTPELIER. FEBRUARY 10. 1868.


POLfTTCAL.
CASE IN PoiNr.-In Sir Walter SCOTS bogra-
ply Of the late Duke Of York, is the following
anecdote, which affords an excellent illustration
of the case between Gen Grant and the Presi-
dent relative to the War Office
AZ the table Of the commander-in- chief not
many years since, young officer entered into
dispute with Lieutenant Colonel - upon the
point to which military obedience ought to be car
red. The young gentleman at the time of
life when soldiers are apt to carry a Of mill
tary duty to enthusiasm " II the commandcr-in.
chief, said the young officer, like a second Seid.
" should command me TO do thing which knew
to be civy Illegal, should not scruple 10 obey
him, and consider myself as relieved from all res
possibility by the orders OF my military superior"
" SO would not l." returned the gallant and IN
trlligent ofcer, who maintained the opposite side
of the question; =" should rather prefer the risk
OF being shot for dsobedience 10y my commanding
officer than hanged for trausgrcssng the laws and
violating the liberties 81 the country" " You
have answered tike yourself said his Royal High
ness, whose attention had been attracted by the
vivacity of the debate; and the officer would de-
serve to be both shot and banged that should act
otherwise | trust all British officers would be as
unwilling to execute an illegal command as | trust
the commandcr-in-uhief is incapable of issuing
one.'-Scotts Prose Works, Vol. ! Page 2Ol
The Baltimore american says: 1--WE do not
believe that in all Maryland there are one thou
sand Democrats who would not vote for the tees-
tablishment of slavery if that question was sub
miited T. them. As it is they have placed in the
Constitution of the State demand for compcn-
sation for their slaves
The Nco York World (dem is trying to get
rid Of Villandgham. That is good so far. But
why does not the World try to drive out from the
Democratic party all other lmpathzers with re-
belion and better STILL al the rebels; Consist
eucy is jewell
Ihad Stevens is against any more attempts at
impeachment, saying: 1--WE had better stop just
where we are. There is no use in making our
selves ridiculous before the country and trying to
get up an excitement, and when we come to the
point flying the track"
In allusion to Prcsiden, Johnsons promise to
pay Grants fine if be would violate the law. the
New York Ledger pertiuently asks why the presi-
dent did not do his own law-breaking, instead Of
asking Grant to do it for hm2 Very true that
goes straight to the root of the matter The Pres
ident would have il done but dare not do it him
self lie is coward in his sin. Grant is brave
in the right.
A Grant Cub has been organized at Burlington,
of which Gen. Geo. j Stannard is President.
THE LAST TRicK.--Thc Presidents nomination
OF Sherman to be brcyet Cen Commanding
the armies of the T. s., is recognized as trick to
head off Grant, and as such is denounced by Gen
Sherman himself who, it is said, will resign rath-
than accept position that can by any possible
ity bring him in collision with Grant.
Tie New York Times thinks that the Pendeto-
Man policy is more IN tie interest OF peace than
any other hat could be adopted as after adopting
it we could negotiate no loan for any purpose
whatever
The ANrI-REcoNsrRUcrGoN CoNsP1RACIEs.-
A special dispatch to the New York Evening Post
says:
Thomas W Conway, who has travelled extern
siyey through the South, has Just written letter
TO Mr.. Thomas w Tullock, the Secretary of the
Union Republican Congressional Committee, Civ
ing his opinion on Reconstruction, and his reasons
for the failure Of the whole business unless Con-
gress shall pass some such measure the bill now
before the Senate judiciary Committee, making
maiorics of the votes cast sufficient to ratily the
State Constitutions lie states that the rebels are
determined to defeat any plan OF reconstruction
coming from the present Congress, especially IT
the night TO vote is given to negroes; that this
class is thoroughly organzedau aud act in concert all
over the South; that they have the entire control
of the Associated Press and its machinery in the
South, thus giving them great advantage over
their opponents; that they unite together to pro-
scribe all Unonists both white and black who
vote for the Congressional plan OF reconstruction,
thus creating reign of terror and preventing men
from going to the polls that Notwithstanding the
poverty OF the South, large sums Of money have
been raised for tue purpose OF defeating the Con-
gressional plan OF reconstruction. Mr.. Conway
adds that the spirit of seli-sacrdce and devotion
to the lost cause" is as great in the South now
among implacable rebels as it was during the war.
FRAUDS OF The WHISKY MAKERS The tele-
graph announces that Gen. Steadman has resigned
the office Of Collector Of Internal Revenue at New
Orleans for the purpose of getting himself at the
head Of the Revenue Department at Washington
We remember that he was in bad odor with the
Republicans at leas) in Washington some year
ago, and therefore not surprised that he comes
to President johnson with stunning recommend
alton. 1t is substantially this none but men il
thc whisky ring can get license to dstil in New
Orleans and to do this each member OF the ring
had to pay ) $1,000 per month to the Collector o
Internal Revenue, and $500 per month to the As
SCISSOR; that the quantity distilled by" the ring
is about four and half millions of gallons pc
year, on which the duty would be nine millions 0
dollars but that the amount actually returned fol
duty between May and Nov l., 1867, was onl
234 barrels! In short the Collector and Asscssoi
have made great thing Of it, aud the Natona
I Treasury has got the duty on few paltry barrels
This is the sum of a statement made to Congress
and to the Secretary OF the Treasury by a whisk,
man of New Orleans, and be is in some respect
sustained by the statement OF assessor unde
oath. President johnson once thought Of making
this Collector Steadman his Secretary Of War, bu
it was said he woul not take the Office Nobod,
will wonler if It turns out that he thought til,
head-ship of the Revenue Department would pdl
better should Steadman persuade the presilen
to make the nomination, the Senate will find re
lection easy job, and all honest people will res
pond hearty amen.
NONE MATTERS.
STATE FAIR The premium list for 1868 vii
| exceed $1,000 for horses, and the premiums 70
, cattle have been increased 25 per cent H. S
Morse Of Shelburne is t. be neral Superintend
enti Henry 3 Keat OF Dorset Supt of horses
t and Henry b Hayward Of Rutland Supt. of cattle
81, g Ls.1I - e..