Daily Nashville union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1862, 1862-04-24

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and even more infamous than all the rest,
have actually robbed the little children
of the State of the fund which had been
provided for their education
r.. ---4----a------
How eminently just and timely are the
following remarks from the Philadelphia
North American:
Good Counsel.
IL is so natural to seek illustrations Of
the present from the counsels Of the past,
that in turning over Pierre M. Irving's
| excellent "Life and Letters" of his illus
trious uncle we were forcibly struck with
the following pages, which we shall ex-
| tract from that work Washington Irv-
ing, it will be remembered, was of the
old Federal party, and as such was vo-
| lently opposed TO the measures which
brought on the war of 1912. When,
however, he found his country absolutely
engaged in war, he withheld neither his
voice nor his arm from the service of an
! Administration for which he had no real
affection, and whose principles and acts
he had conscientiously opposed up to the
| period when hostilities actually began
| 1t will do no harm to the few disloyal
men of the north yet remaining amongst
us, whose southern sympathy present
circumstances make national treason, if
they will thoughtfully weigh and apply
to their own case the words of so pure
and wise a patriot as Washington Irving.
| If his words sound like a reproach TO
this class of men,. let them also reflect
that under the light of such a life and
such memory as his, their own record
will be one of shame and misery.
Whatever we may think of the ex-
pediency of the present war, we cannot
feel Indifferent to its operations. Wher-
ever our arms come in competition with
those of the camp, jealousy for our coun-
try's honor will swallow up every other
consideration; our feelings will ever ac-
company the flag of our country to battle,
rejoicing in IT'S glory, lamenting over its
defeat For there is no such thing as
releasing ourselves from the consequences
Of the contest. He who fancies he can
stand aloof in interest, and, by condemn
ing the present war; can eXOnerate him
self from the Odium of its disasters, is
wofully mistaken. Other nations will
not trouble themselves about our inter-
nal wrauglings and party questions
they will not ask who among us fonght
or why we fought, but hon we fought
The disgrace of defeat will not be con-
fined TO the contrivers of the war, or the
party in power, or the conductors of the
battle, but will extend TO the whole ma
ton, and come home to every individual
If the name of American is TO be render
ed honorable in the fight we shall each
participate in the honor; if otherwise
we must inevitably support our share o
the ignominy."
The above words are Washington Ir.
wings sentiments. The following anec.
dote is told by Mr.. Pierre NJ. Irving il
his own language;
"With such sentiments, watching will
mingled pride and sorrow the alienation
of defeat and success, it may be imagined
with what feeling of outraged patriot
ism he heard of the triumphant entry o
the British into Washinton, and the act
of mciyilized hostility which followed
'He was descending the Hudson in tn
% steamboat when the tidings first reached
him. 1t was night, and the passenger
had betaken themselves to their settee
TO rest when person came on board a
POughkeepsie with the news of the in
glorious triumph, and proceeded in th
darkness of the cabin to relate the par
n ticulars, the destruction of the Presi
It dents house. the Treasury, War, an,
Navy Offices, the Capitol, the depositor,
of the national library, and the publ
records There was momentary paus
after the speaker ceased, when some pal
try spirit lifted his head from his sette
and in tone of complaCent derisiO
y wondered what Jimmy Madison woul
g say nown "Sir,' said Mr. Irving glad 0
an escape TO his swelling indignation, ID
N you seize on such a disaster only for
Sheer? Let me tell you, sir, it is nc
l. now a question about Jimmy Madison o
Jinmy Armstrong; the pride and homo
70 of the nation are wounded, the cOuntr,
is insulted and disgraced by this barba
a rous success, and every loyal citize
# should feel the ignOminy, and be earnes
to ayenge itn Il could not see the fellow
said Mr.. Irving, when he related the an
ecdote to me, but let fly at him in tn
dark A murmur of appreciation fol
lowed the outburst, and then every ca
:, was listening for the reply. But th
energy of the rebuke had cOwed Oh
K spokesman, for he did not again raise hi
~ voice"
Of TO traitors, to lukewarm patriots, an
In TO that meaner class who are Cndeaycl
= ing 10 carry water, dirty water, on bot
@. shoulders lrving's noble words and b
characteristic anccdote should need n