The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-11-08
A Chapter of Grumblings. Illustrat ed. /.
(From the Springfield Republican,
New YORK, October ~, 1851.

tfTom the Springfield RepubiIcan.l
New YORK, October ~, 1861.
very much fear that one of the choicest
privileges of free man is about to lapse
for want of use. In the era of good feelings
upon which we have Just entered grumbling
is held to be almost a crime. while the fact
is, good, wholesome grumbling is the thing
that, al this moment, We stand much in need
Of. There are two sorts of grumbing-that
INDUCED in from an evil disposition, and
that which, directed by sound iuGgmen,
and good purpose becomes a virtue Of the
still enough and to spare, and more than one
OF the journals of this city give US an un-
wholesome breakfast os it every morning.
But the other sort, which is nothing more
nor less than sound criticism upon men and
affairs. is held unlawful and urlwise. Al the
time Of the battle OF Bull Run a clerk in one
of the departments at Washington requested
of the secretary leave of absence for few
days. The rep was, that if the battle Went
against US, of which already there were some
indications, they would all have leave Of un-
limited absence in the course of day or
two. Circumstances seemed then 10 Justify
that representation. 1t seemed Impossible
to believe that if that militia training at
Manassas should erd in disaster. that the
country would consent that those who we've
its authors would still be permitted to hold
the destiny Of the country in their hands
But somehow it was contrived from that
date that there should be no further erumb-
ling OF those IN power that we should all
give hearty support to the government as
if all wisdom and all efficiency must needs
die with half-a-dozen gentlemen at Wash
ington; nobody seeming to consider that il
might be within the nature of things that
such support, without protest and without
criticism might be at the sacrifice of that
cause which the government was bound II
sustain and carry on.
Now It may seem quite supereroSatorv
reflection to say that il is one thing TO COM
plain of the government. its men and It's acts,
with a captious and inimical purpose, ans!
quite another to criticize its men and its
acts from an honest apprehension that they
are not tending so triumphantly to that end
we all have so much at heart. But we do
not seem to have kept this distinction in
mind, and have come to consider grumbling
of any sort equally Objectionable. 1t was a
dangerous experiment to square our conduct
with that conviction. The result is that
those who mean mischief find ways enough
in which to SOW the seeds of discord, while
those whose suggestions are valuable. and
whose pointing out of short comings, of
faults of omissions and faults of commission.
are silenced. We have bound ourselves to
submit to imbecility, on the one hand, and
dishonesty on the other, in a blind faith
that the government was sure to do righ, il
it were warmly supported.
Perhaps you will be sent to Fort Lafav-
ette for permitting it to be said in your col
umns, or may be sent there for saving it,
but l verify believe that no administration
ever more needed to be guided by a wise
public opinion than that now at Washing
ton. But the public opinion which | gather
in my intercourse with my. feIlow-men and
the public opinion which read in the daily
papers, are of widely different character
There is, l think, very widespread and
deep anxiety as to the present aspect Of pub
lie affairs, which finds no expression .xcep,
III the private intercourse between man and
man. 1t would be well if the government
could have the benefit oe it, but an unwise
and idle clamor, how raised or where origin-
ating it is not easy to tell, at least in one
line, has 50 overawed US that We look on
with bated breath, while much goes wrong