Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1861-12-27

The Right Wan in the Right FAneNa
Lord Brougham remarked of Washing-
ton that "the human fancy could not have
created combination Of qualities mOys
perfectly fitted for The scones il which it
was bis lot to bear Aho chief part" This
same consummate fitness for the times
may be recognized in tho man at the head
Of the affairs Of the country 10 this second
great crisis of its existence. Rather we
should say is recognized, as is attested by
the universal commentator Of the Message
just submitted to Congress. Considering
the great diversity Of views which prevail in
regard TO the proper mode Of treating the
rebellion, and the fact that tho Presi-
dent, unlike Washington, was raised TO
power by single political party, this unan-
unity of appreciation is truly surprising
Some, perhaps, might have been a little
better pleased had he spoken more largely
on certain points, or spoken somewhat diff
ferently, but no complaint is heard. The
dominant feeling everywhere is satisfaction.
All the shades of opinion, and all party
preiudices, lose themselves in general ad-
miration for the spirit Of the document, and
confidence in the mind and heart that
shaped il.
Tho universal respect and favor with
which the Message is received arc almost
unexampled since tho days OF tho first
President; and We can hardly help obsery-
ing certain analogy between the cxecu-
tive position then and what it is now
Washington was situated in respect to the
French revolution very much as President
Lincoln is now to the anti-slayery move
ment. Tho one sympathized with the
French people, against monarchy, just as
the other sympathizes with the northern
people against slavery, but in both cases
there was the same danger of license and
general subversion. There were people
then who we're in earnest that the govern
ment should embark actively on the side of
the French republic, just as there are peo-
pie now who are earnest that the govern
ment should broadly commit itself to an
emancipation policy The popular feeling
was then quite as strongly inclined toward
5 the one, as it is now toward the other.-
! Yet Washington felt the necessity Of great
: caution; and in his annual messages, he ex-
Q pressed himself upon the subject with
f discretion and aptness that challenged uni
d versal respect and acquiescence. Though
d his policy did not suit all, all were willing
rs to trust him. They did trust him, till, in
D the end, time vindicated his wisdom
J. There is the same general disposition now
is to trust President Lincoln; and though
If there has been, and still is much discussion,
T. nobody thinks of taking any direct issue
: with his prudent language, 3
is The truth is that, dissimiar as President
o Lincoln is to Washington in many personal
@ qualities, he has still general cast of mind
IS and heart quite like that of tho first Presi-
J, dent. Without anything like brilliancy of
h genius without any very great breadth Of
= information, or literary accomplishment or
4 inventive power, he still has that perfect
G balance of thoroughly sound faculties which
e gives an almost infallibility sure Judgment.
}, This, combined with great calmness of tenn
t. per, great frmness of Of purpose, supreme
n moral principle, aud intense patriotism,
1t makes up Just that character which fits him,
y as the same qualities fitted Washington, for
le a wise and safe administration of affairs in
e. the season Of great peril.
ID 1t is almost fearful to contemplate what
IS might have been the consequences had we
Us an Executive of different mould We have
= had Presidents of headstrong temper who,
I'd when hard-pressed, would listen to no coun-
c. sci, but rush on selfwilled; others of fee
70 beness of spirit that made them the mere
* playthings Of circumstance, or the passive
y tools of other mems, arts. We have had
0, Presidents who would have found it i'm
d possible, in any exigcncy, to rise above par
ty level; others, who, though they might
detach themselves from party, would do so
>, only TO seek the swift popular current that
~ should bear them on to a second term
Had we q man now at the head Of affairs
y - belonging to any of these classes the nation
- al ruin would be almost inevitable. There
of :, could have been hardly a hope Of escaping
u wreck, in this dreadful storm, under such
:, pilotage. The very knowledge that we
VI had so unreliable hand al the helm would
have almost paralyzed effort. There would
:" be no such collected energy, no such grand
" confidence as we now see. All would be
- - uncertainty, dissension, and confusion.--
% We have had many reasons to be thankful
y to Heaven for its orderings in aid of oul
rightly acquittibg ourselves toward this
:" wicked rebellion; but for no one thing have
:" we so great cause for gratitute as for the
.;s possession of a ruler who is so peculiarly
10 adapted to the needs Of the time as dispas
IT, sionate, discreet, determined, devoted, hon
" " est Abraham Lincoln.
es. Agricultural Division of Patent Office
dc We learn that during the first nine-month
ln- of the present year members Of Congress
his have been supplied, for distribution to thei
oy- constituents, with about six hundred thou
rn- sand papers, containing one hundred an,
i'm fifty-four varieties of vegetable, and tw
zee hundred and thirty varieties of flower seed
on many of them new and very choice, anc
others very old and excellent kinds, but no
in general cultivation. Some ten thousan,
he packages leach containing two quarts) @
az eayaals ,vara also d;etr;h,,tod ~ ,ho ,,,o.v-