Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-08-12
(prom tho Now York Po.t.,
The Warrington war Meeting.

%SAs ~ -
The spirit and determination maniles.
ted Dy the large meeting held ut the seat
Of gov ernment last night arc among the
most encouraging signs of the times.
Washington has never been remarkable
for the animation or boldncss Of its move
msnts. Its society, composed for the
most part Of the mere dependents or han
gers-On of the government, has seldom
done more than reflect the sentiments of
the government in its prevailing tones Of
opinion. 1t has never had character or
mind Of its own; it has been subsidiary
aud initiative; and as the government
heretofore has been conservative and pro-
slavery, so has Washington been conserva-
tive and pro.slRvery. But Washington
has changed within year. The free
breezes Of the North have blown through
its dirty and malarious streets, and Wash.
ington, like Boston, New York or Philadel-
phia, can sound strong bugle-blast for
freedom.
1t is a good sign when men can resolve,
on the steps Of the Capitol, and almost
under the eavesof the Executive building,
that the war for the Union shall be prose-
cuted although it turn the country into
desert; thatthe whole nation is Of the same
sentiment and that il there has been any
hesitation in its ardor this has originated
in misgivings as to the earnestness Of
those who conduct our affairs in the Cab
met and in the field. It is q good sign
when the people Of Washington demand
Of the President that he prosecute the
war on a scale limited only by the resour.
Ces Of the country; when they denouncc
traitors as irreclaimabIe criminals who
ought to be stripped of their possessions !;
When they insist upon purgingthe depart
ments; and when they urge frank,
manly and earnest prOmulgation Of the
principles Of the Confscation and Eman.
cipation acts,
These are not the old people Of
Washington-tho people who held Office
under the imbecile Pierce or the senile
Buchanan who were willing to consort
with the violent Keitt and to hobnob with
the liCentious Slidell who complacently
licked the spittle Of the slave-masters aud
bore their insOlence with grin; who
deemed the constitution too impotent fol
its own preservation, and who prated oI
coercion as horrible outrage upon the
rights Of our fellow-Citizena They are
another sort, more genuine democrats, oI
nobler hearts, standing nearer to the
inspiration Of truth, and better guides for
the people. Instead of repeating the
stale aud nauseous compounds Of words
which their masters had prepared for
them, they utter fresh, glowing, Sponta.
neous aud animated sentiments Of Justice
and humanity. For once it is u pleasure
to read what comes from the national
capital.
Perhaps, too, we should take some en-.
couragement from the fact that the Pres.
dent Of the United States, for the first
time in the career ofthat exalted official,
attended merely popular meeting. Mr..
Lincoln is not a man Of forms; he is not
apt to do things as others would do them,
but he does nothing thoughtless, and when
he departs from precedents 50 far as to
take his seat on the platform ut public
meeting, we have a right to infer his
deep sympathies in the objects of the as
semblage. His speech, it is true, amour.
ted to little, relating as it did to some old
and forgotten controversy aboutths merits
of the Secretary of War and General Nc
Clellan, concerning either ofwhom person.
ally nobody out Of their respective families
cares pin, aud could well have been
omitted for few words Of hearty appeal
to the patriotism Of the nation; but his
presence was the greatfact ofths occasion.
It lent the countenance and support Of
the Chief Magistrate to the proceedings,
and showed very clearly to what kind oi
talk and action bis own interior sympa.
thies inclined. He will be loved all he
more for putting himself in this direct
relation to the people, and he will be, also
q great deal wiser than be is, ifhe will
take his inspirations Immediately from the
popularheart rather than from the insinu.
ations ofcowardly, corrupt, or efete politi.