North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1862-08-13
HENRY WARD BEECHER ON THE
DEMONSTRATION.

tion in Washington to 60 almost as thew
would, without criticism or responsibility.
This has been a mistaken kindness. The
people are just as much the source of proper
influences in the admnistra ton of Govern
ment as they are the source of those powers
by which governments exist at all.
| Nor is it even right of safe to allow anv
body of men in the administration to do as
they think best. They are 10 be watched.
their policy discussed, their mistakes exposed
and their silfishness and imbecility rebuked.
The almost universal silence of newspapers
| and popular assemblies upon government
policy, for fear that the Government might
be embarrassed, has damaged the administra
ton. 1t is meant for kindness, but it is
cruelty. De Tocqueville said. " that all
governments would let them he.' Power is
not any safer in the hands of the men now
holding the reins at Washington than in anv
other equal number of honest men. Power
corrupts. 1t burns like fire.
1t is time that the dangerous silence Of this
country were broken, and that papers and
popular assemblies spoke out, spoke often.
and spoke elfectually. To be sure, there is
danger of faction and of embarrassing the
Government. Bot we must take the risk.
Silence breeds worse dangers than discussion.
Corrupt men like to burrow and plot when
1t IS deemed unwise to debate matters.
In the first place, we have a right to
demand OF the Government the enunciation
OF clear policy or, if they have none. we
have right to know that, in order that one
may be supplied to them by the people. To
be sure, we are to put down the rebellion; TO-
maintain the Constitution and the Laws to
bring back the States to their ALLEGIANCE.
These are good words. But what meat is in
them Every child knows that 10 end this
war involves other questions than merely
those of military strategy.
The most serious political questions the
most new and vital civil policies, are as much
concerned in the ending of the war as is the
sword. Every nation on the globe knows
but our owh-that the gist of this war is
slavery. This is the pivot on which The
whole history turns. A clear, bold, frank
anunciation Of government policy ON that
subject will 60 far towards settling the public
mind. The Administration have seemed to
shrink from the question 1f Mr.. Lincoln
wishes the country to settle it let him saw So
If however, it be taken for granted that it is
the business of the Administration and of
Congress to mark out the line of policy, let
that be said. And then let it be also done
The Government seems to US to be in the
position of men who don't know what to do.
and are afraid that the people will find it out.
There saems to lis to be a disposition in
Washington to settle this great question Of
the right of a people to their whole country.
not on principles but on policy and not upon
high policy, but upon narrow and mean
one. We are panied to say that the men in
Washington have been considering what they
will do after the war is over, rather than in
bringing the war, to a close.
1t has been the fashion to shut up every
paper that crticises these things with the
Observation-Disclosures do you know about war?
We take the ground that the method and
conduct of the war are Just as much within
the province Of the intelligent public as any
other national interest. A people that are
competent to form their own laws, shape their
courts. to discuss their domestic and foreign
policy who debate tariR, finance. State
and every intricate principle of Government,
are competent to discuss war. 1t is too late
for any profession to make it's functions a
mystery too deep for the common people, and
to be handled only by professional experts.
This is the common peoples war. They
furnish the men, the money and the enthusi-
asm of patriotism. They can understand
war. They ought to understand it. II is
treason to their right to assume the contrary.
Are SIX lawyers in cabinet any better fit to
discuss military procedure than as many
honest men of equal intelligence out of the
cabinet2 What has Mr., Lincoln's educa-
tion done for him, more than ours for us, to
fit him to judge of military affairs
1t is said that the cry Z" On to Richmondo
brought the country to the verge of ruin, and
shows what mischief may be done by med
ding!
No. Itwas not the cry, but the silence
which followed it, that did the Mischief
That march should have been resumed in
less than three months. Last October and
November were better for the ending of this
war than any months since. The people ur-
ged the Government forward. They demand
ed an immediate conflict They were right.
What if, for want good officers, they
were at first defeated They should have
tried it again, and soon. Our forces were
not disciplined ? 1t was the same with our
enemies. When both sides are alike militia
they will win who show most energy ana
DASH