The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-09-12
TIL E REPU BLIC.
WASHIN GTON:
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The Times.

The Times.
Wise, indeed, beyond their generation
are they who can look coldly upon the
connections into which the public mind
is thrown by the collisions Of party or
the events which shape the destinies
of christendom. Happy are they who
can contemplate without emotion the con-
tests which undermine the fate of admin
istrations, the crises which shape the poll
cies of governments, or the struggles
which seal the doom of civilization. The
| concentration of stoicism which maintains
an icy equilibrium amidst the tempest which
sways the opinions, nay the passions of
men-passions which result in actions af-
fecting for veal or wo the happiness, the
fortunes, and the Liberties of teeming mil
lions-is capitalization which we may
wonder at, if not admire, in the abstract,
if we cannot hope to emulate it in prac-
tice. Full many headache does that man
escape who can walk in the focus of popu-
lar clamor and excitement without heed
ing their intent; and as many heartache
he who can witness the throes of a new
born impulse of liberty without sympathy
in its success. 1t is safe to lift ones head
above the things which agitate and con-
vulse society; it is a privilege to smoothe
ones brow perpetually in empyrean dew,
whilst others toll, and sweat, and heave, to
cast from them burdens too grievous to be
borne. The spirit which is too sublimated
to be disturbed by elements that sweep the
earth and the people who are upon it, will
find sleep while others mourn and the
heart which excludes from its sympathy
whatever concerns not itself directly, will
beat gently when others are bursting.
II is, perhaps, in the hopelessness Of at
tanning an isolation of soul so intense as e.
defy the influences which impress them
selves upon the times in which we live,
that we content ourselves with the Provi-
dence which cast US in the temper of other
men. II is in obedience to this infrmity
of common people, which we must fan
acknowledge, that we have taken part in
the discussions which concern this coun-
try; and have felt deep and, we trust, a
| iusti6able interest in the catastrophes
which awaited others. We could not see
a brave old patriot, who had entwined the
nationalescutcheon withits greenestleaves,
traduced, and misrepresented, and scoffed
at, without having a word with the scom-
ers. Nor could we witness the attempt
TO blacken and disparage an administra-
ton for the purpose Of withdrawing the
public mind from the malfeasance Of its
predecessors, without exposing the STRAIT
egy Of an implacable and truculent oppo-
sition. Perchanceyin doing this duty-for,
looking at the progress Of events from a
level with other men, we so consider it
we may have added something to the ex-
element Of party strife; but it is not for
Va to withdraw from the contest, though
the Opposition tender battle upon terms
which engender heat. They elected the
T mode Of warfare, and they had to be met,
, OF else allowed to ride rough-shod over q
PROSTATE party. 1t is not the temper in
which il is pleasing to conduct cam
] paign; II is not the spirit which betokeni
! the wisest and happiest results, or il
most credltable to the country or the press
: But II required more philosophy than W,
can boast to look calmly on and see tn,
Government wrested from the hands of
pure and good President, because thos,
; who would wrench II from him use mean
which prove them unworthy of the trust.
II may be, that in the warmth of dis
! cussion and the excitement of conflict, W,
! may commit blunders; 1--WE claim no ex
: emption from the infrmities of human ma
ture;) we may be misled to do injustice u
an opponent, OF wound friend; thes
would deter us more than our repugnanc,
to ebullition, Oi natural emotion, were no
: the satisfaction Of repairing wrong create
than that Of gaining victory by persist
i ance in error
a Through tbr same susceptibility to tn
Z influences which affect those around us
. have we been touched by the struggles 70