Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1859-11-23

ing rocks and breakers that lie hidden in
the vast political ocean. 1t is mournful
to have this reflection forced upon ones
mind. Itreminds one of the story of him
that innocently ground the axe, wherewith
his own head was chopped from his body.
We can't affirm that it is certain death for
politician to publish a speech or letter;
because, if he has only acquired that ad-
mirable style of non-committnlism SO
much favored by Martin Van Buren,, his
publications may go forth with impunity. In
this editorial, we have no further or other
object than to set forth an example or two
of that style, for the benefit of such ms
may want to improve init.
Take the following from ]. r. Lowell,
which, though in poetry, will, nevertheless,
present fine specimen. The politician is
Intercepted on the subject of the existing
war, and answers thus:
''Ez fer tho war, I go ngin it
mean to say 1 kind o. du-
Thet is, mean thet, boin' in it,
The best way WIZ to fight it thru;
Not but wut abstract war Is horrid,
sign to tibet with oil my hernt-
But civilization docs git forrid
Sometimes upon pOwdCr-cart"
Now, is not that admirablel See how
nicely he adapts his opinion to those of
his antagonistic supporters. lie goes
'agim" the war, you will observe, but then
only ''kind' of so. "Bein init, he thinks,
MS every patriotic soul in his constituency
thought, that ''the best way wuz to fight it
thru" Yet, he deplores tho horrors of
''nbstract war;" and can only console him
self with the counter reflection that 'civ-
lyzation doosgit forrid sometimes, through
SO deplOrablc an instrumentality. Thus.
then, is not phase of discordant opinions
relating to the question, which he does not
bring out, and with which does not con-
sistently agree. There is the genuine tact
the true genius of political ambition,
which must and will win.
We offer another example from tho same.
The politician is here Intercepted in re-
gard to slavery, and as that is question
which is still living one, and is likely to
be for years to come, the model politicians
answer will be looked to with very great
interest. lie says:
"Ez to the slaves, there's no confusion
In my idccs consarnin' them
think they air an Institution,
A sort Of-yes, jest sO-nhcm:
Do I own any2 OF my merit
On that pint yOn yourself may jctlge;
AL isl never drink any sperit
Nor haint signed no pledge"
If any one had had doubts as to his
position, they must Immediately have
ceased after this lucid exposition. As
there was no confusion in his own "idces"
on the important question, so he manages
to leave none in the minds of those he ad-
dresses. 1t would he absolutely impossi-
BILE for any one to disagree with the opin-
ions he expresses, and therefore none could
possibly be offended at him. He shows
himself to be just such man as would
suit the Republican or Democrat, either
one, fora Presidential candidate. The most
ultra Southerner would feel fully satisfied
at the declaration that the slaves "air an
Institution" and no Northern Abolitionist
would fail to appreciate that significant
qualification-''a sort of-yes, jest So
ahem."
Ihere is vast display of tact in the
graccfulness whereby he turns interroga-
tor, himself. And the easy curve by
which he winds around into the liquor
question, should be the special delight of
every one. True he has not been asked
anything about it, but then, it is Il question
capable of SO handsome an answer, that it
would have been an unfortunate neglect
not TO have drawn it into service. In it
self, the question is an important one, and
. fortunately he could answer it WITHOUT fear
of giving offence to any one. The fact
hal he drank no ''sperit" would commend
him at once:to the Maine Liquor Law men,
and the oH-setting fact that he hadn't
gu ever signed no pledge" would render
him universal favorite with those of lib
ernlviews in the matter of Lager and Old
nye,
In conclusion, we would recommend the
lbove two specimens, to the particular
consideration of tyro politicians.
WHEN wearied by the din and discord
Of this lunar sphere, men are sometimes
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