Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-07-31

EFFORT as IL mas uOie dlTcduys IhSg Mouiu my
be found to affect injuriously the patriotism of
any of the thoroughly loyal states. From
the beginning they have been more than
every call of duty with
for which the government conf
dent of its strength, failed to show the gener-
Gus appreciation which it seemed then-and
now more than ever-to require. We should
hardly allow-with the evidences of self-sac-
rifcing devotion still fresh and fragrant be-
fore us-we. should hardly allow strangers
to reproach us with Indifference to the coun-
try's peril. There are the same reasons why
the reproach should not come from those who
history of civilized nations parallels the
electric and unquestioning enthusiasm with
which all the people have sustained the gov
eminent through the valley of shadows it has
been called to pass. With entire self-abnega-
ton they have thrown themselves in the path
of its ferocious enemies, not stopping to en-
Quire why they were called to the sacrifice, or
to ask whether the atonement which they
offered would be sufficient for the cduse.
They are constantly offering themselves,
with less enthusiasm, to be sure, than at the
outset, but still earnestly enough, and with
Intelligent patriotism, which is only limited
by the engrossing demands which nearly eve
ry one feels pressing upon him.
But while they have been engaged in the
serious work of WAR, bearing its heavy bur-
dens, sending an army of representatives be-
fore them from the battle fields and the hos
pitfalls to Immortality, somebody above them
has neutralized their heroic service, and left
them for the time at the mercy of superior
and cruel foe. 1t would be guilty conceal
ment of the truth, and fraud upon justice,
not to hold up for the Judgment of the coun-
try, generals who sent into the field to fight
the enemies of the constitution, were render
ed worse than useless by a kind of servile re-
spect for their supposed constitutional
''rights." Deliberately, with the perfection
of malice, through conspiracy, robbery, muir
der, treason, through every crime which it is
possible for a man to commit against his
country or his neighbor, the authors of the
rebellion, when they threw down the glove of
battle, renowned the protection of the consti-
tuition and took their destinies in their hands.
Learning by slow stages the magnitude of
their revolt the government has sent against
It noble army indeed, but under, alas how
many generals who were already smitten by
the idols whose evil influence inspired the
conspiracy, and which they ought to have
been commissioned to destroy. Deferring
still, as in the old and gone-by times of peace
to the assumed invioability of slavery, their
conduct has given to the army of treason the
naa that that s,s'si-ro e071Tmfssarfar, and
source of their great Strengthens safe in
our hands, whatever might befal them. And
as if to render assurance doubly sure, not
Bayard in the army of the Union has ven
tured to fight with FREEDOM on his banner
whose sword has not been broken at his feet.
1t would be strange indeed, if such a spirit,
predominant during fifteen months of war in
go many departments of the public service,
did not occasion some depression. The pee
pie, confiding in the prudence and wisdom of
the government they appointed, have, next to
the preservation of the Union, wanted moth
ing so much as the evidence of a purpose to
free the government from its fatal attachment
to slavery-not necessarily by proclamation'
or any experimental essays at social reorgan-
ization; but rational and earnest sympathy
with the conviction that slavery, having once
betrayed the republic, is no longer the crea-
ture of its laws, and that freedom should
henceforth be the rule of the whole land. 1t
was said by one of the early English writers,
that 'the pure and impartial administration of
justice was the frmest bond to secure a cheer
full submission of the people, and engage their
affections to the government" Such an act
of pure and perfect justice as this, commend
ing itself no less to the enlightened Judgment
than to the conscience and the heart of man.
kind, while it would have secured the indisso-
lublo affection of its own people, would have
given the government an argument with
which it could have compelled the SYM
pathy of the world. To the height of this
reasonable expectation the government has
not yet risen. 1t hesitates to put on the ar
NOR, without which it is vulnerable at every
point-with which it would be "clad in COM
plete steel" 1t has not availed itself of gold
en- opportunities which Providence lavishly
strewed in its path. 1t has thrust aside tri
umphs which were ready to its hand. The
enemy is strengthened, the war is prolonged,
the burdens grow heavier; but the people do
not avoid them. They cannot if they would;
they ought not if they could
1t is the good fortune of free government
that under it intelligent people are not per-
manently exalted or abased by the good or
bad leading of captain. If the presi-
dent evades responsibility, or is Influenced
by unfriendly councils, the opportunity of
making their convictions effectual is only
postponed, not lost When the lightning
strikes one tree, the rest do not bow their
heads and cast themselves down. ~ am the
root OF the tree Of freedom" said Schamyl
the prophet-warrior of the Caucasus; emy
Murias are the trunk, yeare the branches Do
not believe the tree will die because ono
pranch rots." The faith of the people in their
cause Is not gone because ono Of its stavs
proves weaker than they thought. Their Mt.
tachment to the government does not HING nv
20 frail tenure as to be broken by one dis.
appointment. They will cling to il under all
circumstances as ship clings to its anchor.