Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-10-08
THE RADICAL POLICY.


ern statcs-expressed through the president,
the various state executives, and the usual
avenues of public communications daily
arraigned among us radical, unpatnohc,
and destructive If the arraignment is true,
then those whom the state and national gov
ernmentS most nearly represent, are engaged
in a vain warfare and the guilt of its sacri-
fees rests on their heads. If it is false,-if
it is the outgrowth of unworthy motives and
is used to secure political advantage or to
crafty partizan revenge-then the slanderers
must take the responsibility of sowing the
seeds of distrust, and of whatever misfortune
their evil harvest may bring to the general
cause.
The first great want of the country to-day
is fundamental and perfect cure of national
difficulties. Order, security, liberty, peace,
are all desirable; but they are only possible
through restored and renewed nationality,
from which the old elements of discord and
mischief have been eliminated, and in which
a new public policy has secured settled and
permanent control. We tried all the conser-
vative virtues for half century. We guard
ed our heritage of infamy with the same ten
derness and affection which parent has for
the most dutiful of children. Yet it rebelled
against mild and lawful authority with more
fury, outrage, and insult,-as Mr.. Burke said
of the French in the revolution of 9S-than
ever any people had been known to rise
against the most illegal usurper or the most
sanguinary tyrant. Its resistance was made
to concession. Its revolt was from protec-
ton. Its blow was aimed at hand hold
ing out graces, and favors, and immunities.
The precious lives that have been sacrificed,
and the vast treasures which have been lost
to all useful purposes in the world, are but a
part of the measure of its outlines, and of
the plea and justification for its overthrow.
This is the basis and foundation of the rad
ical sentiment. 1t is the staple of the hopes
Of those on whom the rebellion has brought
sorrows that cannot be numbered-who nurse
their griefs in silence while the war goes on,
but with hearts full to bursting, pray for Wig
orous and decisive blows. 1t is they who
clamor in the ears of the government: Take
and use allSw have make the most of the
privileges we have placed in your hands:
stretch your prerogatives to the utmost; but
only show us a sure and safe way out of this
darkness. Out of this burning desire comes
the crucial test by which every mans loyalty
must be tried. The true radical sentiment of
the country is the flower and fruit of this ar
dent longing for relief. 1t is not blind, yio-
lent destructive. 1t is intelligent, discrimi-
mating, preserving. So far as the radicalism
Of the free states is operative in shaping and
controlling events, either through political
action or its own specific gravity, it seeks the
destruction of nothing that is not hostile to
the government; it seeks the preservation of
everything that is friendly to its unity, integ-
rity and permanency. 1t is the radicalism of
wise ideas-the radicalism of principles which
are not affected. by the various fortunes Of
war. 1t may be hated when it will not allow
the medicine of the state to be corrupted into
its poison; but under all circumstances it
aims to be the preserver of all just, salutary
and benefcent things as it is the destroyer of
all UNJUST anu dangerous InlHgS.
Since the 22d of September last the gov
eminent has been in harmony to this extent
with the radical sentiment of the country.
To that time, with pure intentions indeed, but
with fettered and crippled hands, the presi-
dent had endeayored to carry on ''conserva-
tive" war. To that time conservatism"
proved unequal to the crisis. The revoted
states, sterile in all institutions save one, ster-
lie in honorable traditions, unable to recall
either principle or a Renaissance capable
of afordlng them justification in the hour of
last appeal, they were still in the crimson
flush of rebellion; while the government,
supported by a people fruitful in all those
things which make government firm, and
great, and powerful, had failed to make per-
manent impression against it. The failure
was primarily the fault of the war policy of
the government and secondarily the fault of
leaders in the field whom that policy placed
in exclusive command Every day by which
the war is prolonged witnesses that this is the
true theory of the failure; and history will so
decide it. There is no other possible YER
dict
The president however, striking at the root
of the tree Of evil, has opened a new cam
paign. 1t was late, but sufficient endorse
ment Of the radical policy. There must, Of
course, be desperate and bloody work to
make the policy effectual. That is at the
best the price of honorable peace But
strengthened with their new armor-haor;noi ~
as a sign in their hands and as frontet be-
tween their eyes-the reinforced army Of
the Union will march but once over the con.
demned soil of the rebellion-and following
the example of the armies of old, the sol
which they conquer they will inhabit AL
that is wanting now is for officers and soldier
in the field, encouraged and sustained by al
inyincible public sentiment at home, to carr,
on their banners the word of victory whicI
the president has given them. Loyal men
waiting in their strong patience for the
day Of promise, will welcome them
to their conquests, and give the first
strength Of their free hands to rcplantng the
flag over the fields where it has been dishonor.
cd. That will be the beginning of the renew.
cd union, through which order, security, lib
crty, peace, will be again established upon tn,
ashes Of Il system which has been from tn,
beginning not only the enemy Of the govern
mont lint thp pnpn,v of v;rtuo az l,,.,,, -.