Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-05-11
The Duty Of EsuanImity In the Present
RfruERle.

The Duty Of Eeuanimity In the Present
struggle.
Through The lnslrpmenalT Of q portion
Of the Eastern pres and especially Of New
York city, doubts hsveN been raised IN shs
public mind Of certain sections as TO the Pur-
pose Of the Government to prosecute the war
with tas vlgor the occasion calls ior, and
much is being said among hose who are too
thoughtess to weigh the responsibilities and
difficulties attendant on the preparations for
a conflict which must call out ell the resour-
ces OF the GoSernmenL about inactivity"
ssnefRciency, " swami Of energy" aud SO on,
on the part OF the Administration. While
nothing could be hi,9sh iom,the het than
these Impressions, the injury hey must in
aiet on the cause, and the Disadvantage 81
which they must put the Governmental per-
mitted to grow and strengthen, Sill be apparent
to all who can understand the dangers Of a
divided public sentiment in a crisis like the
present. Someyery SholeslusRnd pertinent
oNfiOe - given " thoso WIZ u NAofS9SN W
distrust in a vary able sermon on "The
Peaceful Duties of War" preached at Rox-
bury, Mass, by Rev. DR.. Putnam After
speaking OF the necessity for seltpOssessiOn,
calmness and tranquility in the pursuit Of our
various public ami private duties in the pres
eut emergency that the wdntsd order of sO-
ciety and industry may be maintained undis-
turbed through it, the learned Doctor con-
cludes as follows:
Another branch OF the duty Of equanimity,
in the present circumstances, is 70 observe
with ealmness The progress Of events in the
struggle, and await with such patience as Is
possible the next things that occur, and the
final issue. There will be need of much self
discipline IN this respect. The aspect ofpub-
lie affairs will be liable 10 continual changes,
from good 70 bad, and back again from bad TO
good. Any day may bring forth great and
unforeseen results either way; and yet long
periods may pass in which we shall see hard
lyanything appears 70 be done, and precious
tine viii seem to be thrown away. We shall
be liable to grow impatient of delay, and I'M
reasonable in our demands, ready to throw
blame and d~enunciation, now here, now
there, for mistakes and ineficiencies, and
sometimes businesses. dWhen things take a
bad turn, we shall wonder it was not lore
seen and provided against it is so easy to be
wise after the event. and TO prophecy back
wards and it locks so easy to have done this
or that to Us, who are rot in position to
SEE the difficulties and impossibilities.
Our rulers, civil and military, are in a most
trying position, with all the responsibilities
of the tims upon them, and watched and ad-
Vised and wondered at and eensured by TWEEN
" millions of people, each one wiser in his
own eTes than veteran generals or selected
cabinets. We must try to discipline our
selves to a reasonable degree of confidence in
the men when Providepce has called to the
head Of affairs. They havethe best Informs
lion, know best where to seek advice, know
best what they can do and what they cannot.
Il would save VISA great deal of useless wor-
~ and wearing irritation TO trust them,-tO
give them our sympathy in time of disaster,
and our good cheer in time of their success,
aud a liberal and kindly appreciation in all
times, and instead of indulging too promptly
i1 harsh judgments, wait conidingly till we
khow more, and see sl the circumstances
Strive to be patient. Great movements, un-
fTeseenand unprepared for, require time; the
progress Of thingF RHnpt keep up with the
esgerness Of our desires and expectations
Il is wiser to accord a cheerful support and
cooperation 70 the government, than to sit
carping and ehtei1ingJ It IS easy L &k-the
most ignorant Of us is competent to ask-why
8 not this thing done, and why that. # is
wiser to presume either that it is doing, or
else that there afereas6ns why it should not
b. Our province is not to direct, but to do
what we are called to do, abide by the decis-
ion of authority, and await the results. A
fever of Impotence, if it get the mastery of
us, and continue for months and years, Is
enough to wear out any Of us it is democrat
king in its effect upon ourselves personally,
and if it become general, weakens the public
cause.