Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-09-24


We do not seem to be able to hit the
humor of the Gazette in what we put forth
upon any subject; and that able and dig
nifed Journal is, just now, expending large
share of its editorial vigor- in informing
mankind how utterly shallow, ignorant,
dull, pretentious, and illogical we are It is
a noble undertaking; and if that vigor was
any thing extraordinary, we should, doubt,
less, long ere this have been anuihilated.
Somehow or other the Gazette appears to
have fallen into delusion that it is in a
controversy with us. We do not understand
it so, at all. Like crazy Irishman at Dom
nybrook, it has been dragging its coat. tails
up and down, begging somebody to tread
upon them, and evidently spelling for a
fight. Because we thought it would have
been better for General Fremont to have
conformed to the recent act of Congress in
that part of his proclamation which related
to slaves, the Gazette took it into its head
that we approved of all the rest of that docu-
ment, and not only so, but were ready to
become its champion by showing, on de-
mand, civil or statute laws for its authority
We never intimated such an idea nor have
we written a sentence which by the most
forced construction could be made to look
that way.
On the contrary we have nothing to say
against the principle of that part of the proc.
lamation. The property of rebels, in what
ever it may consist, is at the mercy OF the
Government, to seize and confscate or not,
as it may deem desirable. Neither have we
ever claimed that the military power was
limited by the act of Congress of August 6.
We simply held that it would have been
better if General Fremont, being a subor-
dinate military officer, acting in the absense
Of Instructions from his superior, had taken
the act of Congress passed only a few days
before, for his guide, at least until further
advised; and one reason for this opinion
was, that by so doing he would have escaped
the very issue that has now been made be-
tween him and the Administration.
The low appreciation which the Gazette
manifests for our articles seems naturally
enough to be attended by very high ap-
probation of its own. To call attention TO
our dullness, ignorance, superfciality and
obseuIity, is only modest way it has to ad-
vertise its own keenness learning, depth and
brilliancy. A fair and honorable controvert-
ist would perhaps content himself with show
ing the errors of his opponent, and spare
himself the labor of entering into general
disquisitions upon his character and qualities.
We do not know that we have right to
expect this from the Gazette. There are, un-
doubtedly, people in the world so much
lifted above the errors and weaknesses Of
fallible humanity as to have right to look
down upon the rest of mankind as their in
feriors They who are so entitled, however,
are usually distinguished for the indulgence
with which they regard the errors and short.
comings of such as are beneath them; and
it has sometimes beer thought that the affect
alton Of airs OF superiority and a disposition
to belittle and depreciate all who happen TO
disagree with ii in opinion, is not the mark
OF either noble spirit or great abilities.