The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1861-07-18
ii. w. McALARNEY, EDITOR.
ga.

gsy- Man is the slave of Public Opin-
ion! Have it as you viii; make what
laws you like; advocate reform preach
doctrine; profess principles and yet,
when you come to the mainspring of your
actions, when you study the motives that
stimulated the exercise Of your feelings
and passions in any one particular diree-
ton, whether Of Church or State policy,
you must confess that the great motive
was desire to cater for the wants of this
something, called public opinion, that the
study of 1t gave you the guidance by
which you have thus far pursued your
course aye, you have been the slave of
lit. And more, you have sold what you
counted the most vital principles of your
nature for its appreciation, you have crept
back in fear with those ideas of change,
advancement and Improvement that you
have cherished these many years, ever
keeping this dread monster as guard over
them.
And as with individuals so with ma
tionS, whether weak or powerful they all
have the same fear and to a greater or
less extent exercised by the same desire
This is well evidenced by the course the
English nation has pursued in reference
to this country. Up to the assembling of
the people in in such vast numbers on
the tented feid-the result of public
opinion--they held themselves neutral
to great extent, and failed in the ex-
preston of desire that all might be set
tied in favor Of the Union But that
was q month or two since: public opinion
had not expressed itself, all the talk had
oeen BY few unprincipled politicians, it
now begins to talk, and look at the re-
suit as DR.. Patton says, "the tide is
turning" they now begin to feel that an
Engiishman may not be able to see fur
ther than one who is not. Expressions
Of regard are beginning to feel their way
out, 1t is true they are very guarded, but
yet they come and they increase in strength
and volubility as public opinion claps her
hands and cries, "Good p Buchanan
failed for a time to act, and when he did
ne fingered his way very feebly He
thought the opinion of the South and the
opinion OF one wing of the North was for
Dissolution, and he no doubt acted from
a belief that the balance of power of pub
lie opinion in the whole Union was for
Dissolution, and acted accordingly. When
Lincoln took his seat, public opinion drew
close reins upon him and said in plain,
Saxon words, the course not that he had
best, but that he must pursue; and it is
this day driving him along to the perfect
solution of the question whether We baye
government. Public opinion is change
able, it is mortal and therefore not infalli-
bic; it is based upon assumed principles
while principles spring from it; govern.
ments give its edict, expression, while ii
is the result of governmental action af.
flecting the people. Different men in
their several countries serve as its expo.
nent, just as Lincoln does of the North
ern States o,day, and yet while they are
in some measure the creators, they dare
not act in opposition when once fairly
aroused. 1t is either curse or a bless
ing; when perverted it may do much evil,
when guided IN the right channel it will
prove safe guard to our liberties Every
mans course has its effect and his words
are treasured by it; let men be careful OF
That their mouths speak at the present
time, let them give this mighty wave Of
public opinion, that is now rolling. over
the North, all the encouragement posi-,
bic, that our enemies in foreign lands may
hear it thunder its Union anthem along
their shores.
The House of Representatives Saturday
expelled John B: Clark, the member from