Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-05-16
wORC Fl = RR
FRIDAY. MAY 10. 1909
The Largest Liberty the Rest Policy

The Largest Liberty the Best Policy.
Il is perhaps good fortune for the govern
mont that there are no precedents for the
treatment of great civil disorders in a rcprlb-
liz The president and his advisers while
tbor are true and honest, may be as safely
left 10 their resources as if they had been au-
tocrats with the blood of twenty generations
of kings in their veins. One man with a sa-
raciou> intellect, prudent temper, and pure
intentions is better without cumbersome ex-
periencc in periods of trial, than another who
NAV have at his command the example of the
average historical diplomacy and statesman-
ship Of the past thousand years. To have
right sentiments is a necessity; to have ex-
amplcs convenience. The former are safe
guides always; the latter according to circum-
stances Between genuine sentiment and
sound policy there is never a jar or discord.
Never. never did nature say one thing and
wisdom another"
To have at this time a president in whom
these best qualities of craftsmanship are com
bined is good fortune. which the country has
not vet estimated at its full value. Taking
upon his hands 4 government nearly wrecked
by the guilty and startling encouragement Of
his predecessors. with considerable portion
of its population deprived of all rights what
ever. and another considerable portion in
state Of organized and defiant mutiny, with
civil authority PROSTATE and powerless at the
feet Of a favored rebellion, and the military
authority weakened by descrtion and corrupt
ed by timid or disloyal officers, with no means
ofrestoring the wreck save an honest purpose
and firm faith in the virtue of the people, who
have never yet deserted a true leader, he has
in a single year restored 1t to comparative
safety and shown the way whereby it may re-
cover its early glory, the loss OF which we
have been accustomed to deplore.
Some time ago, before the shadows of his
present high position had fallen upon his path,
be expressed the conviction that this govern
ment could not permanently endure half slave
and half free Il do not expect" said he,
the Union will be dissolyed-I do not expect
the house to fall-hut do expect it will cease
TO he divided. Il will become all one thing or
all the other. Either the opponents Of slave
~ will arrest the further spread Of it, and
place it where the public mind shall rest in the
belief that it is in the course of ultimate eX-
dncdon; or its advocates will push it forward
TIL it shall become alike lawful in all the
states Putting himself in the first class he
has, since lie was providentially called to the
head OF affairs, and without ncglccting the
great practical duties which multiplied upon
his hands given all his influence and lis
counsel to placing this turbulent institution
where the public mind shall rest in the be-
het that it is in the course Of ultimate eXtinc-
ion.' The crisis which lie predicted came
lFcmaturely but. grounded upon settled con-
vctions Of duty. he was prepared to meet il
as became a statesman who had no fear Of lis
responsibilities.
The results justify the policy he established
Partizans misrcprescnt them. Persons inter
ested in the decaying institution on account o
ITS property relations, or Of its political pow
or, dcnounce them and him. But in tht
meantime, the policy Of applying the theor!
Of the constitution to all persons within it
jurisdiction, is established, and the countr.
rcjoices in the fact. Nothing is so valuable
to commonwealth as manhood in its fulles
and best development. Nothing is so injuri
Gus to it as considerable population incapa
bic Of appreciating public duties, and incapa
bic Of exercising, if they understood them.
was the principle on which the authors of TIL
system Of government rested their cause, tina
the largest liberty consistent with the publ
safety was the best safeguard of free institu
tions. If TWO generations Of public men hat
not suffered the principle to fall into disrepu
TIL system Of privilege and tyranny had poi
Soned all the currents Of public life, We shoult
not have been compelled TO tread the pcrilou
verge Of dissolution but would have contir
ued as before to gather in harvests of increas
ing glory. For men and nations reap as the
have stTCwn.