The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1879-11-06

It war between the United States an
:. and Great Britain. The instruction
g to Mr.. John Henry, the British Agen
: dated Quebec, January 26, lSO9,' ar
e headed Most Secret and Confidential
4: and require the agent to obtain tn
t most accurate information as to th
! true state of affairs in that part of th'
Union New England), which, from
it's wealth, the number of its inhabi
tents and the known intelligence and
ability of several of its most leading
, men, must naturally possess very
considerable influence over, and will
indeed, probably lead the other lead.
ing Eastern States of America in the
part that they may take in this impor-
tant crisis.
1T has been supposed that, if the
Federalists of the United States should
be successful in obtaining that decid.
ed influence which may enable them
to direct the public opinion, that rath-
er than to submit to continuance OF
the difficulties and distress to which
they are now subject, they will exert
their influence to bring about sepa-
ration from the general Union. The
earliest information on this subject
may be of the greatest consequence to
our Government (Great Brittany. as it
may also be, that it should be inform
ed how far, in such an event, they
would look up to Eng land for assist
ance, or be disposed to enter into q
connection with u.s.
From Burlington, VT, February IA,
1909, the agent reports that the Gov
ernor of that State makes no secret of
his determination as commander-in-
chief of the militia to refuse obedience
to any command from the General
Government which can tend to inter-
rupt the good understanding that pre-
walls between the citizens of Vermont
and His Majesty's subjects in Canada.
1t is further intimated that in case OF
a war he will use his influence to pre-
serve this State neutral, and will re.
sist with all the force he can command
any attempt to make it a party. need
not add that if these resolutions are
carried into effect the State of Yer
mont may be considered as the ally
of Great Britain
The entire correspondence is filled
with statements bearing on the same
fact, that the entire Federal party in
New England and were ready to side
with England against their own coun-
try-that, as party the leading men
were disunionists almost to man.
War was declared in 1915. Its sue
cess, except on sea, was not unclouded
1t met with some serious reverses
on land. AT the time it looked most
serious for the American arms the
Hartford Convention met, in 1914. 1t
met in secret caucus-its doors were
closed, none but its members and Of
ticers were allowed to be present. All
that the world knew Of it's doings was
History published by its Secretary,
Theodore Dwight, long the editor of
an snti-Democratic paper, to parry if
possible, the epprobrium brought up-
on its members. That it's object was
treason in the shape of disunion, and
to give aid and comfort to the enemy
there is now. as there was then, no
doubt. The delegates were appoint
ed by Legislatures of the New Eng
land States-the Governors of which
refused to allow their militia to de-
fend the frontier from invasion # out.
side their limits-whO had refused |
the use of their prisons to hold Brit
ish prisoners, and who, in every shape
and form, had sought to render sue.
cess of American arms impossible.
The Legislature of Massachusetts had
appointed delegates of the secession |
stamp. at the head of which was Har.
rison Gray Otis. Federalism had
swept the State, and from the pro-
ceedings of the Legislature and the
speeches of members it was evident |
that the intention was, in the langu.
age of the biographer of Mr.. Jcffer-
son, 'to compel the National Govern
ment to submit to the dictation of
Federalists, or to establish an Eastern
Confederacy. These designs were SUBJ
stantially vowed on Legislative floors,
by the press, and from the pulpit
In Connecticut, by decided vote,
the Governor was authorized in case
of a draft to fill the ranks of the army
To call special session of the Leg.
islature to protect the people-it de.
nounced the war as criminal in its OBJ.
ject, and as, under the oircums tances,
) violation of the political compact be-
tween the Government and the peo-
ple.' Goodrich and Hlllhouse, leading
with five others were ap.
pointed delegates.
The published proceedings Of the
Convention proposed numerous
changes in the Federal Constitution,
prominent among them TO prevent
and the formation of
lew States in the West. Commis-
,ioners from the Convention-viz:
Gray Otis, William Sullivan,
md Thomas II. Perkins, of Massachu-
,etts, and Calvin Goddard and Nathan
ell Terry of Connecticut, were sent to
hands of the General Government.
The Commissioners, or envoysas they
we're called, were en- route to Wash.
ngton when the news of General /,
Jackson's brilliant victory at New Or